Stephane Loyer on The Business of Pro Matchmaking

by Richard Cloutier, Netboxe.com
 
Whether in Montreal, Quebec, in France or in Anaheim, California, perhaps you've attended one of the battles that matchmaker Stephane Loyer has made possible. Loyer is in professional boxing matchmaker. Above all, he is one of the few to practice this profession in Canada and incidentally, this reality has allowed him to expand his network worldwide. BoxingScene.com/Netboxe.com met with him to break down this little-known profession, but how essential it is to the industry of boxing.

What exactly is the work of a matchmaker?

"Sometimes coaches play the role of matchmaker. They take advantage of an opportunity to sign a boxer for their club after receiving a call. But it's still very limited in time and very local. For my part, I am independent. I am not related to any club, or any firm. I contact the promoters, boxers, coaches and I offer my services. On promoters, they are sharing their needs and they submit proposals. To put together a card, it may happen that five matchmakers around the world are handling the same mandate: to find opponents for two or three fights. The promoter then makes a selection and all the better if one of your opponents is chosen. Then harvested [for pay] is the equivalent of 10% to 20% of the boxer's purse. Also against this, it is not paid out if our guys do not end up on the show. I can work for weeks without success. But as in all things, the secret is to persevere. As I explain to promoters, they have nothing to lose by working with me. If it works, great, everybody wins. "

How long does it take to settle into the boxing community?

"At first, you are not known. Even the boxers are not too certain. It's been a lot of work to contact the matchmakers, promoters and coaches. Me, I started with one boxer. Having one guy to propose, which limited me a lot. It took a few strokes of luck. But by reaching out to people, to get them fighting, and then you add names to your list. Today, the world contacts me. I no longer really apply for gigs. The success is now more a question of timing regarding the availability of boxers. On occasion I am asked for good fights, but if guys are not in the gym, and they have no passport, then you can not do anything. "

What made you get involved in doing this type of work in boxing?

"It started with a fight in France for the heavyweight Stephane Tessier, who is one of my friends. It was more a joke than anything else. He was having trouble finding fights so I told him I will find him one. I started looking out of curiosity. I sent a few e-mails and a promoter in Europe contacted me. I call him and then we have reached an agreement. There was a lot of trust. I could have been anyone who found the address online and that is what I did. It was still risky for him. He put on the show and it was the final. The fight was even broadcast on Eurosport (Editor's note: February 19, 2008 in Clermont-Ferrand, Stephane Tessier vs Zinedine Benmakhouf). He bought the tickets, he organizes everything and we've never yet met. That's why I consider it a fluke. I went to France with Stephane. On the spot I met different people, including Joseph Germain, a coach who then takes care of guys like Carlos and Steve Takam Herelius. Germain then called me to offer a fight to Stephane. That is how things started. Other boxers are then coming to me and asking me to find them fights. In searching for them, promoters have told me I have nothing for your boxer, but I want a lightweight for my card. I then started looking for them too. Things have grown. "

Three years later, how's business?

"Today, some firms rely completely on me to find boxers for their cards. As I have five children, I try not to intrude on family life. Fortunately, my wife is understanding. It is a very competitive environment, but I managed to make my spot. The important thing is to have good contacts and be reliable in their commitments. I am fortunate to have big sponsors sometimes using my services, such as the American firm Top Rank. Another of my good contacts is Pietro Pozza, a French matchmaker involved throughout Europe. I recently signed two boxers with him to fight in Morocco in March: Nathalie Forget and Lucia Larcinese. In Canada, among others I work with agents such as Camille Estephan of Eye of the Tiger Management, Jean-Claude Hugh, and Adam Harris of Hennessy Canada. I try to find their opponents for local shows or fights overseas. I also work with promoters like Ali Nestor Charles UGC Promotions, Don MacDonald of United Promotion in Ontario, and Mark Ramsay of Groupe Yvon Michel. I also just started working with InterBox. It was the only company in Quebec, with which I was not working with. They just give me a first term where I have the opportunity to work with matchmakers who are already working for them. "

Do you have examples fights where you have been directly involved?

"A fight that was very recent was heavyweight Taffo Asongwed January 22 in Pennsylvania. There are really many. Kevin Bizier against the Puerto Rican Wilfredo Negron at the Casino de Montreal in April 2010. Negron then returned to confront Dierry Jean at the Corona Theatre last November. At the Bell Centre as part of the Fast and Furious series there was Sezer Erunsal Perpignan in France against Ghislain Maduma. We may also see more and more French people coing here. Ultimately, especially for airline tickets, it costs much less than the promoter when they come to Western Canada for example. For February 11 at the Bell Centre, Ahmad Cheikho should confront a particular French boxer. Otherwise, I also found met mandates related to sparring. So it's very diverse. "

What is the fight that you're most proud of?

"I'm very proud of the fight that led Olivier Lontchi in California last December. His opponent Miguel Angel Garcia was ranked 7th in the world. Without my job, he would not have fought for this fight. It's unfortunate that he lost, but it was a great opportunity. "

Can you tell us about the projects on which you are working on now?

"We just signed another fight for Olivier Lontchi in Lyon on April 12. As he wanted to compete in a fight before, they had received two opportunities, one in Ontario and one in Bulgaria. But he fell ill and it has delayed his preparation. There is now talk of a fight in Europe in early March. I then worked on a gala scheduled for next April in Morocco. This is a tournament Quebec vs. Morocco for which I submitted a list of names of boxers here. I am also still looking for fighters for this event. Otherwise, there Éric Martel-Bahoeli who is interested in finding him a fight. I have a contact in England who is looking."