Hostile Territory in the UK

By Vincent Morin

Photo credit Andréanne Lambert

A tough challenge lies ahead for Montreal’s Mathieu Germain as he prepares to face British fighter Dalton Smith this Saturday in Sheffield, England. Not only will Germain be up against the toughest opponent of his career, but he’ll also have to deal with a hostile crowd and a venue where few Quebecers have found success.

At Friday’s official weigh-in, Germain (26-2-1, 11 KOs) tipped the scales at 139.2 lbs, while Smith (17-0, 13 KOs) came in at 139.5 lbs.

This bout marks Germain’s first time fighting outside Canada, whereas Smith will be fighting in front of his hometown fans in Sheffield for the fourth time. Of Smith’s 17 career fights, 15 have taken place in the UK, with the other two being held in Italy and Austria respectively.

Just how much will home advantage benefit the British fighter?

Whyte vs. Rivas

The controversy surrounding the 2019 bout between Dillian Whyte and Oscar Rivas at London’s O2 Arena is a stark reminder that home-field advantage is real.

It’s worth recalling that Whyte tested positive for banned substances three days before the fight, yet was still allowed to compete—without Rivas’ team or the WBC being informed. He was also permitted to wear a different pair of gloves than those agreed upon at the official weigh-in.

Team Germain will need to stay vigilant for any irregularities or unfair advantages that might favor Team Smith...

Furthermore, since the early 2000s, Quebec-based boxers have compiled a combined record of 3 wins, 12 losses, and 1 draw in the UK. Only Artur Beterbiev, Pier-Olivier Côté, and Otis Grant have managed to score victories on British soil—the land of Mary Poppins.

Here’s a list of Quebec-born or Quebec-based boxers who have fought professionally in the UK since the early 2000s:

Losses:

• Marie-Pier Houle vs. Sandy Ryan (2023)

• Marie-Eve Dicaire vs. Natasha Jonas (2022)

• Oscar Rivas vs. Dillian Whyte (2019)

• Bermane Stiverne vs. Joe Joyce (2019)

• Kevin Bizier vs. Kell Brook (2016)

• Jo Jo Dan vs. Kell Brook (2015)

• Eric Martel Bahoeli vs. Lucas Browne (2014)

• Ghislain Maduma vs. Kevin Mitchell (2014)

• Joachim Alcine vs. Brian Rose (2013)

• Lucian Bute vs. Carl Froch (2012)

• Jean Pascal vs. Carl Froch (2008)

• Ian MacKillop vs. Adnan Amar (2008)

Draw:

• Jessica Camara vs. Caroline Dubois (2025)

Wins:

• Artur Beterbiev vs. Anthony Yarde (2023)

• Pier-Olivier Côté vs. Mark Lloyd (2012)

• Otis Grant vs. Ryan Rhodes (2007)