The inaugural WBC Bridgerweight World Championship fight (under 224 lbs.) will take place on October 22nd, promoted by Groupe Yvon Groupe (GYM) at the Montreal Olympia.
No. 1 contender Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas (27-1, 19 KOs) will face Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (13-0, 13 KOs) to headline “The Conquest” in the 12-round main event for the vacant WBC title.
All fighters made weight today for “The Conquest: Oscar Rivas vs. Ryan Rozicki,” promoted Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) in collaboration with Three Lions Promotions, presented by Mise-O-Jeu, at Montreal Olympia, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
“The Conquest” will be broadcast live in nearly fifty countries. In Quebec, the event will be available on pay-per-view television live on ESPN+, Canal Indigo, Bell TV, Shaw TV and Fite.tv.
OFFICIAL WEIGHTS
MAIN EVENT – VACANT WBC BRIDGERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (12)
Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas (27-1, 19 KOs), Montreal, Quebec, Canada 222.2 lbs.
Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (13-0, 13 KOs), Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada 203 lbs.
CO-FEATURE – WELTERWEIGHTS (8)
Sebastien Bouchard (19-2, 8 KOs), Baie-Saint-Paul, Ontario, Canada 148.6 lbs.
Sergio “Checo” Ortega (24-2, 18 KOs), Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico 148.2 lbs.
HEAVYWEIGHTS (6)
Francis Charbonneau (3-1, 1 KO), Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada 199.8 lbs.
Alexandre Roberge (1-1, 0 KOs), Lanoraie, Quebec, Canada 208 lbs.
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS (6)
Terry Osias (9-0, 4 KOs), Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada 172.7 lbs.
Joaquin Murrieta (9-9-3, 7 KOs), Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico 173.4 lbs.
JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS (4)
Kevin Menoche (4-0, 4 KOs), Repentigney, Quebec, Canada 153.8 lbs.
Thad Ridsdill (2-2-1, 1 KO), Oshawa, Ontario, Canada 153.4 lbs.
HEAVYWEIGHTS (4)
Alexis Barriere (3-0, 3 Kos), Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Canada 235 lbs.
Rafael “Rafaga” Sanchez Rojas (5-1, 3 KOs), Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico 211 lbs.
Rozicki is a powerful, undefeated puncher who has won each of his thirteen professional fights by knockout. His record includes his win over Shawn Miller (18-4-1, 7 KO) in May 2019 for the WBC International Silver crown, as well as the defense of the same title in February 2020 against Vladimir Reznicek (9-2-2, 4 KOs).
By his uncompromising style, “Bruiser” became very popular especially in English-speaking Canada. “Rivas will be my toughest opponent yet,” Rozicki explained. “It’s everything I’ve dreamed of since I started boxing. Thanks to Yvon Michel and my promotional team for making this possible. On October 22nd, I will become world champion.”
In front of him stands an opponent who has been waiting for his chance for a long time, top contender Rivas, who easily disposed of Sylvera Louis (8-5, 4 KOs) by retirement after three rounds last March. Rivas, of course, was the victim of a very controversial defeat in July 2019 in England to Dillian Whyte (25-1), by way of a 12-round decision despite having sent him to the mat in the ninth round.
“Oscar Rivas is in the best shape of his career,” according to his trainer, Marc Ramsay. “I know Rozicki very well and he is very dangerous. He reminds me of a big Joe Smith, Jr., who without being the best technician, compensates with enthusiasm, aggressiveness and determination in the ring ”
This fight turns out to be more than a major one for the careers of the two pugilists. The winner will be crowned king of this new division. The historic showdown marks the return of American television to Canada for the first time since December 2018 as it will be broadcast live on ESPN + in the United States. In total, this prestigious gala will also be broadcast live in nearly fifty countries. In Quebec, the event will be available on pay-per-view television on Canal Indigo, Bell TV, Shaw TV and Fite.tv.
In the co-featured event, charismatic Sébastien Bouchard (19-2-0, 8 KOs) will be in his second fight of 2021, after suffering a major injury against Ayaz Hussain in 2019. He will face Mexican welterweight Sergio “Checo” Ortega (24-2-0, 18 KOs), of Baja California, Mexico, in an explosive 8-round duel.
With his third knockout victory this past August 28th in as many career fights, Alexis Barrière (3-0, 3 KOs) will return to the Olympia ring. This time around, the heavyweight will face Rafael “Rafaga” Sanchez Rojas (5-1, 3 KOs), of Mexico, in a 4-round clash.
As expected, the 6-round rematch between Alexandre Roberge (1-1-0) and Francis Charbonneau (3-1-0, 1 KO.) remains on this card. The two cruiserweights caused quite a stir on March 16th in their 6-round confrontation, which Charbonneau won by way of split decision.
Canadian light heavyweight prospect Terry Osias (9-0, 4 KOs) was supposed to have a fabulous 2020 with a series of fights planned at the Casino de Montreal. The pandemic decided otherwise, though. Osias finally finds his way into the ring again on Oct. 22nd against his Mexican opponent, Joaquin Murrieta (9-9-3, 7 KOs), who has won his last two fights by knockout.
Middleweight Kevin Menoche (4-0, 4 KOs) will put his undefeated pro record on the line versus Thad Ridsdill (2-2, 1 KO).
Confident 27-1 Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas taking care of business for Inaugural WBC Bridgerweight World title fight
Despite two postponements and a relatively late replace to fight, Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas (27-1, 19 KOs) is prepared to capture the inaugural World Boxing Council (WBC) Bridgerweight World title (under 224 lbs.) on October 22nd, when he takes on undefeated Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (13-0, 13 KOs), at the Montreal Olympia.
“The Conquest: Oscar Rivas vs. Ryan Rozicki” is promoted by Groupe Yvon Michel in collaboration with Three Lions Promotions, presented by Mise-O-Jeu. The historic showdown marks the return of American television to Canada for the first time since December 2018 as it will be broadcasted live on ESPN + in the United States. In total, this “The Conquest” will also air live in nearly fifty countries. In Quebec, the event will be available on pay-per-view television on Canal Indigo, Bell TV, Shaw TV and Fite.tv.
WBC No. 1-rated Rivas, who represented his native Colombia at the 2008 Olympics, after which he signed a promotional contact with GYM, settling into Montreal. “Kaboom” was supposed to fight Bryant Jennings in a rematch of their 2019 fight, which Rivas won by 12th round technical knockout. Jennings pulled out of the rematch because he refused to comply with Canadian rules and protocol for foreigners in Canada.
“Nothing could stop me preparing for this fight.” Rivas spoke about the delays and change of opponent. “I’ve remained focused for so long for this fight. I was surprised to learn about my new opponent, but nothing changed at all for my preparation for this fight. I am ready!
“I am speechless to be fighting for the first WBC Bridgerweight World title. I am so excited and proud to be fighting for the WBC Bridgerweight title of the World. It is a dream come true and I would like to take this opportunity to thank my promotional team, coaching staff, my agent, and Top Rank for making this happen.”
Rozicki is attempting to become the first world champion boxer from Nova Scotia. As his nickname indicates, “Bruiser” is a power puncher who has won each of his thirteen professional fights by knockout. His record includes his victory over Shawn Miller (18-4-1, 7 KO) in May 2019 for the WBC International Silver crown, as well as the defense of the same title in February 2020 against Vladimir Reznicek (9-2-2, 4 KOs).
“He (Rozicki) is a very aggressive boxer; however, I will be ready for him,” Rivas remarked. “I will be ready for him. I have been waiting for this fight for so long that I can’t wait to show the boxing world how improved I am.
I have devoted my entire life to be where I am today. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity to fight for the title in Montreal, the city that has adopted me. I know that I will be at my best for this fight, and nothing will stop me from winning. No misunderstandings, I will become the new WBC Bridgerweight of the World.
“I’m also ready to fight for the world heavyweight championship of the opportunity is presented to me. I miss the ring so much. I know I belong with the best and the best of me is yet to come. Bring them all on, I am ready!”
Popular Canadian welterweight Sébastien Bouchard (19-2-0, 8 KOs) meets Mexican welterweight Sergio “Checo” Ortega (24-2-0, 18 KOs), an explosive 8-round do-featured event.
Fighting on the stacked, Canadian flavored undercard in a pair of 6-rounders are Alexandre Roberge (1-1-0) vs. Francis Charbonneau (3-1-0, 1 KO.) in a 6-round rematch (Charbonneau WDEC), and light heavyweight prospect Terry Osias (9-0, 4 KOs) vs. Mexican Joaquin Murrieta (9-9-3, 7 KOs); heavyweight Alexis Barrière (3-0, 3 KOs) vs. Rafael “Rafaga” Sanchez Rojas (5-1, 3 KOs), of Mexico, and middleweight Kevin Menoche (4-0, 4 KOs) vs. Thad Ridsdill (2-2, 1 KO) in 4-round matches.
