Camille Estephan’s Eye of the Tiger experienced a busy 2024, with the Montreal-based outfit positioning many of their international stable within touching distance of a world title shot.
“We have a lot of guys who are not going to get invited for a dance,” Estephan said exclusively to FightsATW. “Our goal for 2025 is that Imam Khataev, Albert Ramirez, Osleys Iglesias, and Christian Mbilli are active and are in meaningful fights and in a position where they are must-fight guys for the champions.”
The immediate spotlight is on Estephan’s fighters at super middleweight and light heavyweight, with two fighters in each weight class pushing for a shot at a world title. Bottlenecks exist in both divisions. Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez still holds onto three of the four world championship titles, with German-based Cuban William Scull claiming the vacated IBF belt late last year. Mbilli (28-0, 23 KOs) is ranked at number 3 by the IBF, in 1st place with the WBA and the WBC, and is also at number 2 with the WBO. Iglesias (13-0, 12 KOs) currently sits in 5th place with the IBF and 4th place with the WBC.
At light heavyweight Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol will dance for the second time this month for the undisputed title, with a trilogy already being discussed. Venezuela’s Ramirez (19-0, 16 KOs) is ranked in 5th place with the IBF, is the number 2 with the WBA and WBC. He also has the 3rd place ranking with the WBO and welcomes Marko Calic to Montreal this Thursday. Chechnya’s Khataev (9-0, 9 KOs) is ranked in 6th place with the IBF and 7th place with the WBC. The Olympic bronze medalist joins the undercard of George Kambosos Jr’s return next month in Sydney, Australia.
“Obviously, Beterbiev is fighting Bivol, and we hope he comes through again,” Estephan continued. “We will see what happens, but we are right there in both of those divisions. Our guys have shown that they are ready and we are open to suggestions. But right now, we will see what happens on February 22nd. After that, there will be a lot of movement. I believe Beterbiev will win again, then we will see what Bivol wants to do, but we will have two guys that want to fight him in Khataev and Ramirez.”
Estephan returns to Montreal this Thursday with super lightweight Movladdin ‘Artur’ Biyarslanov, locking horns with Mohamed Mimoune for the North American title in the main event.
“Artur Biyarslanov is very good and we think he can do a lot of damage at 140 pounds,” Estephan added. “I’m expecting a really good fight with Mimoune. The beauty for us has been that we are able to get the top talents worldwide and make this place a home for them, giving them a fanbase. The fans here are very knowledgeable and we have a great media following here in Quebec. When they are good and they are real, they become stars and get recognized. Artur is definitely one of those guys.”
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