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Cloutier’s Canada Corner
Kevin Bizier: "I Was Expecting
More Opposition From Campbell"
By Daniel Cloutier
MONTRÉAL - Last March, Kevin Bizier saw the veteran Nate
Campbell stopthe Dominican Victor Manuel Cayo (31-3-0) in
the 9th round in Santo Domingo. Friday evening in the ring
of the Bell Centre, Bizier stopped Campbell before the bell
announcing the 9th round.
NABA North American welterweight champion, new IBF
Intercontinental champion, Bizier (20-0-0) left the ring
with a great smile, while Campbell (36-10-1 )was leaving the
ring in wincing of pain. “To be honest, I was expecting more
opposition from Campbell,” said Bizier who dominated every
round of action. “I knew this man had a dangerous right
hand, but he never hurt me with his power shots, and as you
saw, he did not use very often his right hand in that fight.
He boxed more defensively that I was expecting, probably
because I was hurting him with my body shots. My trainer,
Marc Ramsay, prepared a perfect strategy for that bout. The
plan was to hurt Campbell in every round with solid body
left hooks, and keep my hands high to prevent Campbell to
overuse his right hand. At the end of the bout, Campbell
said that his body could not take more punches. It is
certainly the most significant win on my pro boxing career.
I said several times in the last week I am ready to face the
cream of the welterweight division, and I will not change my
mind.”
Bizier was throwing more than 75 punches per round, but he
said he was not tired when Campbell surrendered. “If
Campbell was able to respond to the bell of the 9th round, I
can promise you that I will still attack him,” said Bizier.
“With four rounds of action to go, I still had a lot of gas
in my tank. I was really prepared for a tough 12 rounds
fight.”
Yvon Michel, the promoter of the GYM Group, believes that
Bizier will maintain his progression to the WBA championship
of the world. “Kevin is so talented,” said Yvon Michel. “You
could see in that bout how much he is strong physically and
mature for a fighter having only 20 bouts. Kevin should be
back in action in May or June. We are planning to give him a
very significant bout on the Pascal-Dawson boxing show, May
25th at Bell Centre, or in June, when Adonis Stevenson will
fight for the vacant IBF super middleweight championship of
the world.”
During the post-fight press conference, the Montrealer
Joachin Alcine (33-3-1), the former WBA super welterweight
of the world, challenged Bizier. “Kevin, I am ready to
reduce my weight to 147 pounds to fight you in May or June,”
said Alcine. “I hope you will accept. It would be a great
fight.”
Yvon Michel replied, “Joachim, I will not negotiate with you
tonight in front of all the journalists. I will talk to your
manager, and we will see the possibilities.”
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