By Mark Vester
The Canadian boxing scene took some heavy hits in 2008. Many of the top Canadian fighters are looking for redemption in 2009. During the twelve months of 2008, IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute was nearly knocked out by Librado Andrade, Jean Pascal lost a decision to Carl Froch, Steve Molitor was knocked out by Celestino Caballero, Herman Ngoudjo lost to Paulie Malignaggi and Jochim Alcine was stopped by Daniel Santos.
Pascal's bout with Froch was a fight of the year contender. Yvon Michel, who promotes Pascal, says that he's trying to get Pascal back in the ring by April in a major eliminator.
"We'll bring him back in a title eliminator this year," said Michel to the Canadian Press . "He wants to stay active against the best. He looked good against Froch. He didn't do what he's capable of in terms of using his speed and skill, but he showed so much character, a strong chin and great courage. He grew in that fight. Now he knows he can excel in every aspect of the sport."
Bute looks to return in February or March, probably against Mads Larsen of Denmark, and then plans to follow by making a mandatory defense of the IBF belt. After the crushing wipeout to Caballero, Molitor will take some time off and plans to return in the summer.
Michel also promotes Alcine, and told the Candian Press that he wants to bring him back into a WBA eliminator to get a rematch with Santos.
"He wants to get into a title eliminator right away and try to qualify for the No. 1 ranking," said Michel. "The goal is a rematch with Santos."
As far as Ngoudjo, he meets Juan Urango for the vacant IBF junior welterweight title on January 30 at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
"He's tough, but I think Herman now has the experience and maturity to be on top," said Michel. "I think he's the best in that division in the world now."
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