HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING IN CANADA: A Tournament to be Made
By Kevin Nelson
With the British Prizefighter series being popular we thought it would be a good idea if that was done in Canada with the heavyweights; a single tournament to determine Canada’s best heavyweight. It would be a tournament that would resurrect careers and turn prospects into contenders. Here is my list of possible competitors in this tournament. Also the bouts will be ten rounds and have replacement bouts in the event there is an injury. These bouts would not take place all in one night but spread out every 3 months.
Jean Francois Bergeron, 27-2, 19 KO’s
The 1996 Olympian has always had potential but has failed to live up to it. He has size good boxing skills and good power. His ability has never been in question but something seems to happen to Bergeron when he is on the big stage against quality opposition. He freezes.
David Cadieux, 17-3, 12 KO’s
A good fighter who is always in shape…he has been retired much like Bergeron for a few years now but still could give fits to any fighter. Has power but is susceptible to getting hit.
Raymond Olubowale, 8-5-1, 5 KO’s
Don’t be fooled by Bola’s record. He has had no easy fights in his career. The problem has always been inactivity but career wins over Shane Andressen, David Cadieux and Paul Mbongo have made him a quality journeyman in Canada.
Neven Pajkic, 16-0, 5 KO’s
He has no surrender fights like his moniker and takes no prisoners. Out of all the heavyweights here, he has the least talent but fights with a ton of heart. His conditioning and stamina are great assets but his biggest is his heart. Pajkic is the Canadian champion and in his last three fights have been tougher than expected victories. It seems every fight is a struggle for Pajkic to win and although he lacks the talent he more than makes up for it with his determination.
Grzegorz Kielsa, 11-2, 5 KO’s
Although supposedly retired now, the former Polish Olympian won the Canadian title from Olubowale only to drop it to Pajkic. He has good conditioning decent hands but no real power and can still compete.
Ali Mansour, 8-0 4 KO’s
The 32 year old has largely been inactive but has good boxing skills and some decent power. He is a bit undersized and has not fought in a year and a half.
Shane Andreesen, 11-3, 7 KO’s
Shotgun Shane has had some ups( Jonte Willis, Homero, Fonseca) and downs( Olubowale, Pajkic and Tabb), but one thing remains, Shotgun brings excitement to a fight because you never know what’s going to happen.
Tye Fields, 48-4, 43 KO’s
Fields has faced a lot of tomato cans in his career but has size, strength and punching power. His main weakness is his glass chin but he will give you trouble if he hits you.
Replacement bouts:
In the event there are injuries and fighter unable to continue the replacement opponents are Eric Martel Bahoeli, 7-0, 4 KO’s, Eric Barrak, 5-0 4 KO’s, Oscar Rivas, 6-0, 3 KO’s, and Wayne John, 4-2, 2 KO’s. They will compete against each other at each tournament leg ex… Bahoeli vs. Barrack and Rivas vs. John winner of the two face each other.
Schedule
Opening round of the tournament:
Neven Pajkic vs. Tye Fields
David Cadieux vs. Jean Francoise Bergeron
Ali Mansour vs. Shane Andreesen
Grzegorz Kielsa vs. Raymond Olubowole
Replacement bouts:
Eric Martel Bahoeli vs. Eric Barrak
Oscar Rivas vs. Wayne John
