The boxing world will descend on Ottawa’s new Hard Rock Casino & Hotel on Saturday, as a pair of women chase unified World Championship boxing glory.
Toronto’s Sara Bailey is 6-0, the fastest Canadian to ever win a world title in boxing; Argentina’s Evelin Bermudez is widely considered the best 108-pound female fighter in the world.
The two will collide in a 10-round clash with three World Championship belts at stake.
Promoted by Tyler Buxton’s United Boxing Promotions, the event will be the national capital’s first pro boxing card since 1998 — when Montreal’s Otis Grant retained the WBO Middleweight World Championship at the shiny new Corel Centre versus Ernesto Sena.
“This is the kind of fight that defines careers,” said Buxton, Ontario’s longest-running boxing promoter. “Sara Bailey is on the verge of superstardom, and Evelin Bermudez is one of the sport’s most accomplished champions; we are proud to bring this world-class event to Ottawa.”
Bailey, the reigning WBA Light Flyweight World Champion, has challenged the status quo in boxing: She debuted with an eight-rounder — twice the standard fight length of a nascent pro — and won a World Title in just her fourth fight.
“This is the career narrative I wanted: The biggest, toughest challenges straight away,” said Bailey, who trains out of Etobicoke’s West End Athletic Club. “Every time I step in the ring, I want to make a statement: The world knows I want undisputed after this.
“I can’t wait to put on a show in Ottawa,” she continued. “People didn’t think a World Title could happen here, they didn’t think United could make this unification happen, but this fight proves this is a fantastic promotional team. The world is coming!”
A sizable challenge awaits in Evelin Bermudez: The reigning WBO and IBF light fly champ boasts an outstanding 21-1-1 record and has fought all comers in the 108-lb. division.
“Bermudez is a fantastic fighter and a true champion,” admitted Bailey. “She’s super feisty, but I don’t think she’s been in the ring with a technical boxer like myself.”
Boxing analysts unanimously agree Bermudez poses a much more live threat than Bailey’s recent title-level opposition — and she is by no means coming to merely play a part in the Canadian’s career arc.
“I love going on the road knowing I’m coming to win,” said a confident Bermudez from her home in Rosario. “We are super prepared and ready to showcase everything I’ve got in the big fight.”
Recent history shows she is capable of winning away from home: She outpointed hometown favourite Kim Clavel in Montreal in 2023, and drew Silvia Torres in her native Mexico — a fight many gave Bermudez — in 2019.
“Unification is something I’ve wanted for so long,” reflected Bermudez. “I’ve always fought good opponents, but this opportunity comes at a time where I’m at my absolute peak, it’s a terrific chance to realize a dream.”
Along with Cam Laing, Adrien Davin Carrasco is set to become the first Ottawa fighter to make their pro debut at home since Greg Gayle in 1985.
“It’s a full circle moment for me,” beamed Davin Carrasco from training camp at Toronto’s 161 Boxing. “I started boxing in Ottawa, moved to Toronto to turn pro, and now come home to do that in the city where it all began.”
The super featherweight faces 60-fight Mexican veteran Jonatan Lecona.
“There hasn’t been a pro fight in Ottawa this century, (so) it’s good to see the boxing community come together for this event,” continued Davin Carrasco. “Hopefully this creates more traction for future events and participation in the sport.”
Dreams will be realized in the Bailey-Bermudez feature contest; the path to others will only just be starting in earnest on the undercard..
Fireworks are expected in all six fights, and with four local products — Davin Carrasco and Laing from Ottawa, Samuel Rodriguez and Pascal Villeneuve from Gatineau — there should be a boisterous crowd on hand at the Hard Rock.
Limited tickets remain available via Ticketmaster; doors open at 6:30 p.m., with first bell at 7:30 p.m.
Unified Light Flyweight World Championship: Sara Bailey (6-0) vs. Evelin Bermudez (21-1-1, 7 KO)
Co-Main: Samuel Rodriguez (10-0, 9 KO) vs. Cody Kelly (7-9-3, 1 KO), welterweights
Adrien Davin Carrasco (debut) vs. Jonatan Lecona (19-39-6, 7 KO), super featherweights
Pascal Villeneuve (5-2-1, 2 KO) vs. Gregory Miller (4-12, 3 KO), light heavyweights
Cam Laing (debut) vs. Serge Ntetu (0-2-2), welterweights
Adam Fregonas (debut) vs. Jaime Alonso (3-0, 2 KO), middleweights
