A press conference was held Tuesday at the Cabaret du Casino de Montréal to unveil the 2016-2017 season of Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM). The Canadian promoter will host a number of ongoing events at the Montreal Casino.
“It is with pride that GYM begins its 13th year of operation. Since our beginning in 2004, we’ve organized 128 events, which is more than any other organization in the history of professional boxing in Canada. During this period, 13 of our boxers competed in 36 world championship fights. Three of them – Joachim Alcine, Jean Pascal and Adonis Stevenson – became world champions”
-Yvon Michel, president of GYM
“The mission of GYM is to bring the resources, expertise, contacts and create partnerships for scouting, the signings and coaching talent to literally give Quebec a franchise in world boxing league, be competitive and allow fans of Quebec to attend the evolution of the best boxers from home or those who have made Quebec their adopted land up until the highest peaks their division.”
-Yvon Michel, president of GYM
“At every Olympic cycle, we are active in recruitment. Moreover, 9 boxers put under contract with GYM had represented their country at the Olympic Games. There are currently four GYM active fighters who competed at the Olympic Games with Artur Beterbiev (Beijing 2008 and London 2012), Eleider Alvarez (Beijing 2002), Oscar Rivas (Beijing 2008) and Custio Clayton (London 2012). We always renewed, it is our strength. We are also in an evaluation period with a world-class athlete and a second high-level pugilist will arrive in early October.”
-Yvon Michel, president of GYM
“I’m so happy to be here to announce a partnership with GYM. This is a three-year agreement for a total of 18 events, 6 galas each year, 2 at the Montreal Casino and 2 at the Lac Leamy Casino. The first will take place on October 20 at the Montreal Casino. For those who lived it, a boxing event at Casino is quite an experience. This is an intimate ambiance, where you are really close to the action!”
-Kevin Taylor, president and chief operator of Société des Casinos du Québec
“Quebecor is involved in boxing since 2004. We remember the Saturday afternoon when TVA had galas, between 2004 and 2007. There were 1.2 million people watching the world championship bout between Lucian Bute and Alejandro Berrio, a Saturday night in 2007. Currently, we are involved with GYM on 5 levels: with Videotron, Canal Indigo, TVA Sports, Videotron Centre and the Journal de Montréal and the Journal de Québec. We are here in great numbers and we are very proud to be associated with Yvon Michel and GYM. It’s amazing what you do for boxing!”
-Pierre Dion, President and Chief Executive Officer of Quebecor
“It is important to emphasize that the GYM is first a trio, Yvon, and Alexandra Bernard, who has built a prestigious brand that created three world champions. We are also proud to announce a two-year deal with GYM. All fights will be broadcast, either in Montreal, Quebec or Gatineau. We have existed for 51 weeks and we are pleased to be a partner of GYM since the beginning … and a leading partner!”
-Mario Cecchini, Chief Executive Officer of RNC Media
“This season, we will present from 10 to 12 galas in Quebec and some of our boxers are also likely to be in action outside the country on Premier Boxing Champions events. We talk about 5 shows at the Montréal Casino, 2 at the Casino du Lac Leamy, 3 to 4 galas with Gestev at the Videotron Centre of Quebec City and the probability to make others events in Montreal, at venues such as the Bell Centre. By 2019, we will produce 18 events in Casinos (Montreal and Lac Leamy).”
-Yvon Michel, president of GYM
