Quebec Scene: Steward Trains Stevenson; Stéphane Ouellet’s Return

By Hans Olson

Super Powered: Stevenson now trained by Steward

“You cannot reach a certain level and begin to neglect the details,” said Adonis ‘Superman’ Stevenson Tuesday in Montreal at the press conference announcing his upcoming showdown with Jesus “El Martillo” Gonzalez on February 18.

The details Adonis speaks of are that of training, and his new trainer in particular.

That new trainer is acclaimed Kronk legend Emmanuel Steward.

“I was very impressed with Adonis,” said Steward. “His footwork and balance are almost perfect. It reminds me of a boxer in the 1960s called Dick Tiger.”

So too was Steward impressed with Stevenson’s training habits.

“I coached several world champions and there is no doubt in my mind Adonis will become one. His work ethic is impeccable and he is also very talented.”

Stevenson (16-1) is coming off of a spectacular 2011. He knocked out Derek Edwards on ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights” in April, then stopped Dion Savage in the 1st round in Las Vegas on the undercard of Mayweather/Ortiz in September. He capped off the year in style, destroying Aaron Pryor Jr in 9.

He’ll fight Gonzalez in a bout sanctioned by the IBF for it’s #2 world rating. The ultimate goal? A fight with champion Lucian Bute, the city’s biggest star.

“Stevenson is targeting the IBF belt,” said Stevenson’s promoter Yvon Michel. “To succeed he has no intention of hoping for a favor, he will do it the old fashion way. He will earn it! This is the reason why a win against Gonzales is a must at this point of his career.”

Other bouts on the card include Eleider “Storm” Alvarez vs. Otis Griffin; Dierry Jean vs. Ryan Barrett; Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas vs. Ilvica Perkovic; Tyler Asselstine vs. Andras Varga; Arash Usmanee vs. Innocent Anyanwu; Didier “Big Daddy” Bence vs. Stephane Tessier; Ghislain Maduma vs. Jeremy Abbott; and Baha Laham vs. Csaba Toth.

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The Return of Le Poète?

Stéphane Ouellet, one of the most adored fighters in Quebec history is continuing steps toward a ring return that was rumored late last year.

According to TVA sports, things are going well for Le Poète, the nickname given to Ouellet years ago. He could be back in the ring as early as March 30, a tentative date for Groupe Yvon Michel’s “Fast and Furious” series. The word out of Ouellet’s camp is that is the Jonquiere native is in excellent physical condition and ready to fight. Group Yvon Michel confirmed to TVA Sports that they intend to give him the chance to get back in the ring—based on conditions of him being in proper physical form to fight.

In his best years, there was nobody more popular in the region. His fights with both Davey and Alex Hilton remain legendary in the sporting souls of fight fans above the border.

Without fighters like Ouellet and Erik Lucas, boxing in Quebec would not be where it is today.

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A fight card is in the works for March 3, 2012 at the Hotel des Seigneurs in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec.

Tentatively slated to appear is 4-0 prospect Mick “L’Unique” Gadbois, who had been scheduled to fight on the undercard of the recently cancelled Pier Olivier Cote show in Quebec City on February 3. Gadbois was last seen defeating Vladimiras Balaklijec on September 9th of last year in Montreal.

Alexandra Hamel and Francis Hamel are also set to see action.

Boxing Insider’s Hans Olson can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @hansolson