MATCHROOM ANNOUNCE FIRST EVER CANADIAN SHOW – IN ASSOCIATION WITH GROUPE YVON MICHEL – AS ROCKY HERNANDEZ AND RENE GIRON CLASH ON FEB 28 IN GATINEAU

Eddie Hearn and Matchroom are proud to announce their first ever event in Canada as Rocky Hernandez and Rene Tellez Giron clash at Casino du Lac-Leamy in Gatineau, Quebec on Friday February 28, live worldwide on DAZN and in association with Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) – with the perspective to sign unbeaten Canadian Heavyweight Alexis Barriere to a long term co-promotional deal with GYM, and Barierre faces Mexico’s Ubaldo Ilagor on the card.

Tickets are on sale now at ticketmaster.ca. You can also communicate directly with GYM at [email protected].

Barriere (11-0 9 KOs) returns to action for the first time since landing his ninth KO win in his 11th pro-outing in October 2023, and a fourth inside the opening round. The 29-year-old southpaw and former Team Canada man was one of Tyson Fury’s sparring partners for his two fights with Oleksandr Usyk in May and December, and now the Sugar Hill Steward-trained Quebec puncher will be looking to get back in the groove and make an impact on the World rankings against Ilagor (13-1 12 KOs) over ten rounds, and Barriere’s fellow unbeaten Canadian Derek Pomerleau also in action over eight rounds at Middleweight against an opponent to be named soon.

“For me, it’s a new start on February 28, when my international career really begins,” said Barriere. “I may not have been active in fights the last year, but it was a rich experience and learning thanks to Tyson Fury and my trainer Sugar Hill. I know my opponent is dangerous, but nothing is going to stop me! I can’t wait to give you a great show!”

“I have got the opportunity I had been waiting for,” said Ilagor. “I feel ready for this new challenge. I have been training for a month and a half in Las Vegas in the best preparation of my life.

“I want to show that Mexico has the quality in the Heavyweight division, and on February 28 I will prove it against Alexis Barriere. I want to thank my company Bxstrs Promotions and Matchroom for the opportunity.”

KO artist Hernandez (36-2 32 KOs) is back after an accidental head clash in his showdown with Thomas Mattice caused a cut to his left eye in Hermosillo back in September, ending a contest that was bubbling nicely with a technical decision win. 

That was a second win for ‘Rocky’ in his rebuild after his thrilling World title fight with O’Shaquie Foster in October 2023, and the WBA Continental Americas and IBF USBA Super-Featherweight titles when he takes on Giron (20-4 13 KOs), the fiery Mexican who gave future World Title challenger Floyd Schofield a real scare when he floored him in the 11th round of their clash in Las Vegas in November in a spirited performance.

“Different country, same date, same opponent, same outcome – Rocky by KO,” said Hernandez.

“I cant afford to lose this fight,” said Giron. “I’m looking to win by knockout.”

“I’ve been involved in professional boxing for over thirty years, and I’ve never been more excited than I am heading into this year,” said Michel. “Canada is currently experiencing a tremendous upsurge in talented young boxers and this event on February 28, with the invaluable collaboration of Eddie Hearn, marks a major turning point for our organization and our athletes whose leader, Alexis Barriere, will pave the way from Lac Leamy.”

“I am thrilled to announce Matchroom’s first event in Canada and the prospective of signing Alexis Barriere with our partner Yvon Michel,” said Hearn. “This will be the 19th country that we have promoted events in, and it’s one that we’re very excited to branch out to.

“Canada has a rich fighting history and there is a lot of talent there that’s looking to hit the big stage, and with Matchroom, Yvon Michel and DAZN on board, Canadian fighters are going to get the chance to shine, starting with the big-hitting Heavyweight Barriere.

“The main event on February 28 is going to be fireworks. Rocky always brings the action and styles will gel to create an all-Mexican war to heat up Quebec.”

Further undercard fights will be announced soon. The Quebec show replaces the previously announced February 28 event in Oaxaca, Mexico, which has been moved to Canada due to logistical issues.