By Luke Furman
According to a report from The Montreal Journal, there appears to be a big issue with Steve Bosse securing a boxing license for a scheduled fight with former WBC light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal.
Their bout is scheduled for July 20 at Place Bell in Laval.
On June 20, Bosse applied for his licence with the Liquor, Racing and Gaming Authority (RACJ). Two days later, the leaders of the Régie received a report from the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) which raised the possibility of a possible influence and involvement of organized crime in the Pascal-Bosse fight.
Although he is a long-time friend of Hells Angels biker gang, Bosse said that he had no connection with any organized crime - during during the first day of the hearing to obtain his license on Thursday.
Bosse still does not have the necessary license to take part in this fight.
The expert on out-of-law bikers, Sergeant Alain Belleau, came to the hearing to present evidence of the links between Bosse's agent, Dan Fontaine, and organized crime. Fontaine is known to the intelligence services of the SQ and he is seen "as a person of interest".
He has had many contacts with members in good standing with the Hells Angels in recent years.
Moreover, Belleau presented a detailed organization chart to the managers, demonstrate the relationship between Fontaine and his knowledge within the group of criminal bikers.
Bossé's lawyer, Martin Pichette, tried to demonstrate that his client had no connection with organized crime despite his agent's links to members in good standing with the Hells Angels.
Bossé and Fontaine are longtime friends, according to the UFC veteran.
"He's been a counselor and mentor since I started training at his gym at the age of 16," Bossé said during his interrogation.
It was Fontaine who approached the promoter Yvon Michel to launch the boxing career of the athlete from Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. He managed to conclude a pact of four fights with GYM for his protégé.
On the other hand, Bossé indicated that he had never been in business or made investments with his agent. For the 20 July Gala, Fontaine had the mission to sell tickets and find sponsors for the 36-year-old pugilist.
Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org.
