After weeks of negotiations, InterBox finally came to terms with Team Ali Chebah thereby avoiding an IBF purse bid called for next week. IBF Intercontinental 140-pound champion Pier-Olivier “Apou” Cote (19-0-0, 13 KO) will face Ali “The Angel” Chebah (33-2-0, 26 KO) on Saturday, November 3rd at the Montreal Bell Centre. This much anticipated matchup will take place on the undercard of the Boxing Gala featuring Lucian Bute vs. undefeated Denis Grachev.
“Ali Chebah is well known here in Montreal. Our goal is to offer Cote solid opponents capable of progressing him up the World ranks. The IBF appointed Ali Chebah as Cote’s mandatory and we accepted and got the deal done. This will surely be an excellent fight and a big test for Cote” states InterBox President Jean Bedard.
Ranked #14 in the World by the WBC, Chebah is no stranger to Montreal, having fought here 4 times and securing 4 victories. Much like Cote, Chebah is very comfortable boxing and winning on enemy soil.
“Ali Chebah is a well-rounded boxer but his biggest force is his power. He has maintained an 80% KO ratio in 35 fights. It is true that this will be the biggest fight of Cote’s career, but at this point all we can expect are big fights and we have to be fully prepared to win them all” declares Cote’s head trainer Francois Duguay.
“This fight will help me move closer to my ultimate goal: To fight for and win a World title. I am very happy this fight will take place in my Province and I thank InterBox and Jean Bedard for this great news. But truth be told I was prepared to fight Ali in France, or anywhere else in the World to defend my title and move up the IBF ratings” states IBF #10 World rated super lightweight Pier-Olivier Cote.
Chebah lost his last bout by unanimous decision against Ajose Olusegun in a WBC eliminator. Olusegun fights for the WBC title in September on Showtime. Ali’s other defeat was back in 2008 vs. Reyes Sanchez, who won the WBC World title a few fights later.
Both sides had until August 7th to agree to the site and date for the bout.
