MONTREAL -- A well-known Quebec boxing promoter is defending himself before a tribunal against accusations stemming from two of his boxing cards, including claims he fixed a bout and hosted members of criminal biker gangs in reserved ringside seats.
A hearing for Groupe Yvon Michel began today in Montreal before an administrative tribunal of the provincial authority that oversees combat sports.
The authority's representative, Mario Lacroix, told the tribunal of several irregularities that he said occurred during two 2019 boxing events promoted jointly by Michel's company and New Era Fighting.
Lacroix says members of the Hells Angels biker gang were seen in ringside seats reserved for the promoters during a Sept. 20 bout at Montreal's Centre Pierre-Charbonneau.
He also says he thinks a charity bout between strongman Hugo Girard and mixed martial artist Patrick Cote was fixed and did not respect provincial regulations.
Michel has denied all the allegations against his company and is scheduled to address the tribunal Wednesday.
-This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 18, 2020.
