Montreal based super middleweight Wilkens Mathieu will headline his first event at the Théâtre Capitole in Quebec City on June 11 courtesy of Eye of the Tiger.
Mathieu (15-0, 10 KOs) is another fast-tracked prospect coming through the Eye of the Tiger conveyer-belt. He defeated Shakeel Phinn by unanimous-decision in his last outing to claim the NABF title.
The Brazilian Olympic silver medalist will come to Canada to hand the 21-year-old his toughest career challenge.
“Many said I was too young to face [Shakeel] Phinn, and they’ll probably say the same about Falcão,” Mathieu said in a statement sent to Boxing Social. “But people need to understand that I don’t have time to waste. I already believe I’m the best in the world, so I have to face the best in the world — and it starts by beating an Olympic medalist in front of my city on June 11.
“Against Shakeel Phinn, Quebec discovered Wilkens’ talent. Against a guy like Esquiva Falcão, the whole world is about to discover it,” added his trainer, Giuseppe Moffa.
As well as capturing the NABF title, Mathieu also sits in 14th and 15th position with the WBC and WBA.
Falcão (32-2, 21 KOs) comes to Montreal following two straight victories in his native Brazil. The 36-year-old southpaw was unsuccessful when challenged Vincenzo Gualtieri in June 2023.
“I respect my opponent,” Falcão added. “I know he’s a good fighter, an undefeated one. But he hasn’t faced a boxer like me yet: an experienced fighter who hits hard and has a real hunger to win. I’ve already fought for a world title, and I plan to do it again. God will be with me on June 11, and the victory will go to Brazil,”
The undercard will feature; top 10 light heavyweight contender Mehmet Unal (15-0, 13 KOs), who will defend his WBC and WBA light regional titles. Moreno Fendero (14-0, 10 KOs), Thomas Chabot (12-1, 8 KOs) and Daylen Pepin (2-0) will also be in action.
