Finale Grand Prix WBC Riyadh Season - Pomerleau’s Ultimate Test

Inside the Matchmaker’s View

By Vincent Morin

Quebec’s Derek Pomerleau (15-0-0, 11 KOs) is preparing to fly to Saudi Arabia for a fifth time — but this time, the stakes are higher than ever. He will compete for the championship trophy of the WBC Riyadh Season Grand Prix.

On December 20, in the final round of the middleweight tournament (160 lbs), he will face Australia’s Dylan Biggs (17-1-0, 9 KOs), a fighter many have dubbed “The Southpaw Silencer” for his four consecutive victories over left-handed opponents in Riyadh.

A Strong 2025 Campaign

This bout will mark Pomerleau’s sixth appearance in the ring in 2025. After scoring a sixth-round TKO against England’s Nathan McIntosh (14-3-0, 1 KO) live on DAZN on February 28 at Casino du Lac-Leamy, the protégé of Stéphan Larouche began his climb toward the summit of the Grand Prix.

In Riyadh, the Mercier southpaw secured four victories — each against opponents with drastically different styles.

1 — A relentless pressure fighter

Against Ukrainian-Armenian brawler Liparit Ustian (11-0-0, 10 KOs) — known for his bare-knuckle background and bulldozer style — Pomerleau delivered a masterclass. He earned a unanimous decision with the precision of a fencer, playing matador to Ustian’s charging bull.

2 — A slick, fluid counter-punching southpaw

Facing flamboyant Irishman Paul Ryan (8-1-0, 3 KOs), Pomerleau staged a dramatic comeback. After falling behind on the scorecards — and even hitting the canvas in the opening round — he sealed the win with a devastating third-round knockout.

3 — A high-volume, rugged brawler

Croatia-based Ukrainian Dmytro Rybalko (5-0-1, 2 KOs) brought a chaotic, pressure-heavy style. Pomerleau remained flawless, scoring another emphatic KO in the second round.

4 — A powerful puncher with a tight guard

Colombia’s Carlos Sinisterra (13-1-0, 10 KOs) pushed Pomerleau into a gritty, physical battle. The Quebecer emerged with a majority-decision win, landing the cleaner shots while maintaining a higher work rate.

Biggs, the Southpaw Silencer

On the opposite side stands Australia’s Dylan Biggs — considered one of the tournament favorites. Throughout the Grand Prix, he has exclusively faced southpaws, and the final will be no different.

Biggs’ path through Saudi Arabia

1. A clear but understated win
   He opened the tournament with a routine unanimous decision victory over Britain’s Hamza Azeem (8-0-0, 1 KO).

2. Control against an aggressive stylist
   The 23-year-old Australian swept every round against France-based Cameroonian Cyril Suffo Johnson (10-0-0, 3 KOs) en route to another unanimous decision.

3. His toughest test so far
   Ukrainian-Turkish fighter Petro Frolov (12-1-0, 4 KOs) proved rugged and relentless. A knockdown in the fifth round allowed Biggs to secure a unanimous decision.

4. A dominant semifinal performance
   Against France’s long, awkward, and experienced Lancelot Proton de la Chapelle (17-1-2, 5 KOs), Biggs delivered a commanding display to earn yet another unanimous nod.

Calm, seasoned, and well-rounded, Biggs represents the toughest opposition of Pomerleau’s career. The timing couldn’t be better: this is also the biggest stage Pomerleau has ever stepped onto.

The Mercier native has dreamed of holding a championship belt since childhood. While the Riyadh Season Grand Prix trophy is not technically a title belt, its prestige is undeniable — and a victory would earn him a shot at the WBC Silver title in 2026.

By the Numbers

• 128 fighters entered the Grand Prix across four weight divisions (featherweight, super-lightweight, middleweight, heavyweight).

• 32 fighters per division fought for top honors.

• 5 victories are required to win the championship.

• 4 champions, one per division, will leave with the trophy.

• 3 Canadian entrants competed: Eric Basran and Spencer Wilcox at super-lightweight, and Derek Pomerleau at middleweight.