Photo : Vincent Ethier — Wilkens Mathieu, walking toward the ring of Quebec City last January 13.
From 1985 to 1986, “Iron” Mike Tyson took boxing by storm, fighting 19 times at the age of 19. “It has nothing to do with Wilkens Mathieu,” you will say, but that’s the theatrical way of saying that the Quebec prospect also wants to make his 19th year the most active of his career.
“I fought 5 times in 2023, but it could even be more in 2024,” confides the most recent winner of the EOTTM Rookie of the Year title, standing on his laurels.
Times have changed since the advent of the New Yorker. 1985 is 39 years ago, 19 of which were before Wilkens was born. Today, a self-respecting authority like that of Quebec would not allow such a pace. Especially since the native of the Capitale-Nationale, author of a 6-0 record, 3 KOs, is not a heavyweight and must therefore also face the scales each time. In any case, the objective is clear.
“It’s looking good, with already 3 fights booked in 3 months, but I would say I’m aiming for six or seven fights. I couldn’t do more than seven, especially if we fall to eight rounds, but a fight every two months is realistic. 7 is a good number and it’s perfect,” analyzes the prospect who already hits the first of his seven targets, on January 13, nine days after his 19th birthday.
First big dance
This fight was like no other. First, after five fights in Montreal, the right-hander returned home to Quebec. Plus, it was on the undercard of the Beterbiev-Smith clash, presented at the Videotron Center, in front of a crowd of 10,031 brave boxing enthusiasts who weathered the storm to be there. This represents not only the new record of the building, but also the best attendance of the last decade in the entire province. Just by hearing it, you could tell that a large part of that crowd was there for the hometown hero, because even at the start of the evening, more than 6,000 people were waiting for Mathieu to sing his name.
“It was truly incredible. I knew it was going to be in my city, but I didn’t know there were going to be so many fans there to applaud and scream for me. It’s a moment that I will remember for a long time,” says the man who, following in the footsteps of King Artur, dreams as much of being light heavyweight champion as of filling the Videotron Center.
Meanwhile, as a preview of his two quests, he won a four-round unanimous decision against Jose “La Fiera” Alvarez (3-2, 1 KO), a Mexican 20 years his senior. “I did some great things, but above all I showed my calm. I had a slobbering opponent, who also tried a lot to hang on to me. I could have started trying to swing and gotten frustrated, but no, I stayed focused and followed the game plan,” recalls the athlete operating under the instructions of Mike Moffa.
Glory and egg white
Targeting a fight every two months, he should in principle fight next March 7. Important detail: between now and then he will be boxing a second time in less than two weeks, like in the good old days, while he will be back at the Montreal Casino on January 25.
“It’s still special to immediately fall back into combat mode. Right there, I’m talking to you, I’m making eggs, but I can only eat the whites because I have to stay close to the weight,” says the young pugilist fighting at 170 pounds.
At the time of the interview, two nights had passed since Quebec, but already, Mathieu was nine days away from a weigh-in in Montreal. Once this battle is won, he will face the Latvian Ivans Levickis (36-44, 22 KOs). This veteran will be in front of him for a maximum of six rounds, but ideally less.
“He’s a guy who has seen others and who has faced a lot of undefeated prospects. For me, at the start of my career, it’s a great challenge, it’s trying to do better than them and going for the knockout. », he concludes before going to enjoy his egg white, the price of the glory to which he will have to get used, especially in 2024 when he could well be the most active boxer in the country.
**A week after the interview was conducted, Levickis withdrew from the fight and Wilkens Mathieu will now face Oscar Soto Quintana (6-4, 2 KOs), who took the fight on a 3 days’ notice**
