By Greggory Macintosh Ross:This Friday, March 26, the most recent incarnation of the Canadian Professional Boxing Council (CPBC) will crown its first champion (barring a draw) at the Claude-Robillard Centre in Montreal, Quebec. The title will be presented in the super middleweight division to the winner of the Ali Nestor Charles-Martin Desjardins bout, scheduled as the headliner of a seven fight card. Yesterday, current CPBC president Don Collette was kind enough to answer a few questions for Eastsideboxing.com regarding the bout and the CPBC in general.
Q. GM Ross: First of all, what were the factors leading to the foundation of the Canadian Professional Boxing Council?
A. Don Collette: The CPBC existed in the past as far back as the 70s. We got the blessing of the last president, Mr. Vince Bagnato. I chatted with him about a year before he passed away and he said it would be good for boxing to bring the CPBC back to life. After roughly a year of work, here we are.
Q. GM Ross: Who is involved in the organization, and could you tell us a bit about them?
A. Don Collette: The CPBC members are all former boxing people. They include:
Don Collette: President, former promoter and former pro fighter.
Paul Doiron: Vice president, former promoter and former pro fighter.
Roger Doiron: Official referee in chief, former pro fighter.
Our board members are also all boxing people. Some were coaches referees and promoters.
Q. GM Ross: What does the CPBC hope to achieve for professional boxing in Canada?
A. Don Collette: We hope to see champions crowned in every division. We also hope to bring back the true meaning of being a champion. Champions will be expected to defend their titles in a timely fashion. Fighters in our ratings will have to remain active to stay in the rankings.
Q. GM Ross: I noticed the CPBC website has a section for Atlantic Canadian ratings. Should we expect a revival of Maritime/Atlantic champions under the CPBC?
A. Don Collette: Unfortunately, the Atlantic championship rankings have been removed for the time being. We will look at this possibility in the future.
Q. GM Ross: The CPBC will crown its first champion on March 26, in the super middleweight division. Is there any desire within the organization to have the winner of the Ali Nestor Charles vs Martin Desjardins bout face David Lemieux, the current Canadian Boxing Federation title holder, and are unification bouts of interest to the CPBC in general?
A. Don Collette: The CPBC encourages the unification of Canadian championships, as we feel it good for the sport of professional boxing and helps create more interest. The winner of Ali Nestor Charles vs Martin Desjardin will be required to defend the title in a timely fashion. It would be up to promoters to put that fight together.
Q. GM Ross: Is there anything else you would like to say to boxing fans that we haven’t covered?
A. Don Collette: The CPBC hopes to sanction a number of championship fights in the near future. Our main objective is to keep the fight game alive and well across Canada. We hope to work with promoters across the country.