by Richard Cloutier, Netboxe.com 

Yvon Michel Group confirmed to Cyberpresse.ca that Sebastien Demers (31-3-0) would eventually face Renan St-Juste (21-2-1) on Dec. 3 at the Bell Centre, in what is going to be the chief support to the "Fast & Furious" card. Both men will be competing for the NABO belt at super middleweight.

Wanted by fans for many years, this battle came close to materializing several times but each time fate decided otherwise. In recent weeks, the confrontation seemed to be on track to be achieved until a difference in weight overshadowed the negotiations. On November 8, promoter Yvon Michel confirmed to BoxingScene.com/Netboxe.com that on December 3, a fight between Sebastien Demers and Nicholson Poulard would take place.

Fate, however, took the fight apart. Nicholson Poulard's manager, Mr. Camille Estephan of Eye of the Tiger Management, has confirmed that an injury prevented Poulard from facing Demers on December 3.

"Unfortunately, due to a minor injury, Nicholson could not do any sparring in recent weeks. It's not very serious, but he was not training. If we knew that he could start sparring next week, we would take the fight, but we're not sure if he can. At first there was talk of December 18, so it could have worked despite the injury, but for December 3 it is very difficult. I am very confident Nicholson-Demers will happen, but because there was no sparring in the last three weeks it's difficult. Everybody wants to see this fight as well as Nicholson fans. This fight (note: the first battle between Sebastien Demers and Nicholson Poulard played November 7, 2009) was one of the best fights presented at the Montreal Casino. So I'm confident it will happen at some point. Unfortunately this time, we could not take it."

A rep for Renan St-Juste, Jean-Claude Hugh, for his part confirmed BoxingScene/Netboxe that he now hopes to see a good agreement finally concluded between the various parties so a fight between St. Juste and Demers can be finalized. This must have happened apparently because Groupe Yvon Michel confirmed that the two men will actually fight on the December date.

If you recall Sebastien Demers, who was notably the International and NABF champion of the IBF, was measured against Arthur Abraham in a battle for the world championship in Germany in 2007. As for Renan St-Juste, he was until recently the NABA and WBC Continental Americas champion.