Connect with us

Canada and USA

Eye of the Tiger Focuses on Belts, Looks To Climb Promotional Ladder

Published

on

Eye – Pacquiao, Pacquiao, Pacquiao, sprinkle in a couple Mayweathers, rinse and repeat.

It can be semi sad when you consider where we are at in the world of fightwriting, especially on the web, where so much of the coverage is found, and more is gravitating to every month. We give the people what they want, which is what Manny is doing, what he ate for breakfast, what time he used the lavatory, what type of TP he favors.

We do that not because we are kind souls, and want to give the people what they want, because of our divine benevolence. No, we do so because of our world’s fascination with numbers. Pacman and Mayweather stories do good numbers, everything else draws crickets, an editor at a humongous web presence told me a couple days ago.

Hey, part of me understands and even accepts this is the world we live in, and is okay with it, to an extent. The customer always comes first, and is pretty much always right, so if the customer clicks on Manny stories ten times as much as anything else, well, you have to hear your constituency, and play to them. But while I can sympathize with this new media environment, it isn’t, overall, healthy for the masses. I mean, the masses gorge on McDonalds and little kids take in a scary amount of their daily calories from soda. THAT is giving people what they want, and it ain’t helping their waistlines or their arteries or their brains.

Now, we here at TSS are lucky, in that our publisher holds old school values, by and large, and he doesn’t command me to turn the site into PacPalace.com. So, we’re able to write about a wider variety of topics than some other sites, who obsess on Manny, because a Manny story is potent click bait.

But that naked and craven MO sometimes means we miss out on the breadth of available stories, and fighters, and persons involved in the sport. Too often, I get caught up on the massive entities, the HBO and Showtimes, the Golden Boys and Arums…and that means the smaller, but no less important, and no less compelling stories and people get the shaft. While I went ga-ga over Floyd the last few days, a few weeks after getting obsessive on Pacman, I chided myself, and promised myself I’d be on the lookout for more variety of stories. After all, I think it’s important to not act as if Pacquiao and Floyd will forever be on the scene, will enjoy Hopkins-esque longevity. Furthermore, I don’t know about you, but with all the Cold War dramas playing out, in between companies, and within companies, sometimes I like to remind myself that there are players out there that are staying in their lane, doing their thing with a minimum of drama, and repping the sport in respectable fashion.

Most of you guys know that ESPN is getting back into bigger bouts, and someone or someones have convinced some suits that spending maybe a million or two could benefit the bottom line, that ESPN could snag some market share in a sport which still boasts a “reasonable” buy-in rate. The WWL will show the rematch between Haitian/Canadian/American Bermane Stiverne, a 35 year old with a 23-1-1 mark, against Chris Arreola, the 33-year-old California resident with a 36-3 mark, on May 10. Last year, Stiverne worked through a blown out right shoulder and whacked Arreola around to the point he won a UD12. This time, Stiverne maintains he will finish what he started, and when he gets Arreola in trouble, as he did in round three of their first bout, when he mashed his nose and sent him to the mat, he will close the show.

Stiverne is managed by a Canadian who pretty recently has emerged on my radar screen, and I think is someone who we should pay attention to, because, judging by how many meaningful bouts financial wiz/fight manager/promoter Camille Estephan has his fighters in within the next six weeks, the guy is making a play to take some market share in his realm.

Estephan runs Eye of the Tiger, a managerial and promotional outfit which boasts a growing and solid stable of hitters. Stiverne, should he win the re-do against Arreola, will be top dog in the stable, because winning the WBC belt vacated by politico Vitali Klitschko would be an immense get, in any era. You saw Dierry Jean (25-1) impress people who thought he wouldn’t be on the same plane as Lamont Peterson when he gloved up in a junior welter title fight on Showtime, and you’ll be seeing more of the Eye crew in the coming weeks.

I reached out to Estephan to learn a bit more about who he is, how he got into the biz, and what sort of mark he wants to make on this red light district of sport which actually contains far more honorable and humble souls than cynical sorts would lead you to believe. First, I did a web search for Eye of the Tiger Management, and after wading thru material related to the fine Survivor anthem, found this. Here is the Eye of the Tiger mission statement:

Since 2008, Montreal’s Eye Of The Tiger Management has dedicated itself to the management of boxing athletes. At EOTTM, we believe that hard work, determination and commitment guarantee successful results. Applied daily, these three values enable us to move mountains, which is exactly what our athletes accomplish in every single one of their fights. Even though EOTTM is still relatively very young, we have already made quite an impact on the international scene. Indeed, our team of fighters is among the most talented and promising in the world: Antonin Decarie, Dierry Jean, Baha Laham, Chris Plaitis, Ibrahim Kamal, David Lemieux, Ghislain Maduma, Mick Gadbois, Schiller Hyppolite, Ayaz Hussain, Mitch Louis-Charles, Steven Butler, Bermane Stiverne and Mian Hussain.

With the goal of bringing its combatants to the top, EOTTM went from a simple management company to a now world class promotional outfit. In 2012, a series of professional boxing events was born entitled “Fight Club Series”. The objective of this series was obviously to showcase the talent of the boxing team by putting them in high caliber confrontations. Even more precisely however, this series allowed one of our up and coming stars to climb the world rankings in order to get the chance to fight for the prestigious world championship title. At this time, we can proudly claim “Mission Accomplished!”

“Five years ago, I was managing, and they were not getting the chances they deserved,” Estpehan recalls. So he decided to get in deeper, start promoting some shows. “But it all comes down to winning.” Estpehan told me he’s been more than happy to hear Arreola doubling down on his “THIS TIME I’m training seriously” schtick, because he thinks the best, trimmest, most energized Arreola will bring out the best in Stiverne. The heavyweight, who lives in Florida, trains at Floyd Mayweathers’ gym in Vegas. Stiverne’s been saying that he was far less than one hundred percent in the first Arreola scrap, so, in fine form, look out Arreola.

Estephan tallied up for me the lion’s share of opps his crew is getting, apart from the WBC heavyweight title crack, for Stiverne. “Coming up for the team are very exciting times,” he said. “This is what we’ve been working for so diligently… a total of 19 bouts including the heavyweight title of the world, an IBF elimination bout at lightweight, two NABF bouts, a WBC silver lightweight title, a WBC Continental title at welterweight, a FECARBOX scrap at super middleweight, fighters on ESPN primetime, HBO, Showtime and Sky, fighting in LA, Montreal, London. We are brewing up a storm!”

He gets a thumbs up from one of his boxers, welter contender Antonin Decarie (30-2; age 31; from Montreal), who told me the Eye guys are like family, and pull for each other. “Is Camille a good promoter? He’s great. He has a lot of respect for fighters, and has done an amazing job with Stiverne. Hopefully we come out on top in that fight, and Camille will become much more influential.”

Lord, I started shadowboxing in my living room, like I had just watched “Rocky” in the theater, when Estephan summed up Eye’s game-plan: “We are leaving no stone unturned to come out victorious! In the upcoming weeks, we are leaving a stamp, that we are here to be a player. I believe we will be rivaling ANY company with meaningful fights and activity.”

WATCH RELATED VIDEOS ON BOXINGCHANNEL.TV

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Advertisement
A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles1 week ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 week ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles1 week ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles4 days ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles5 days ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles3 days ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Mexico's-Francisco-Rodriguez-Jr-is-the-TSS-Fighter-of-the-Month-for-June
Featured Articles10 minutes ago

Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez Jr is the TSS Fighter of the Month for June

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles2 days ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles3 days ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles3 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles4 days ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles5 days ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 week ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles1 week ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles1 week ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending