Riyadh Season Grand Prix: Pomerleau Faces the Dark Horse

By Vincent Morin – In the Matchmaker’s Eye

Québec’s own Derek Pomerleau (14-0-0, 11 KOs) will be back in action on October 19 in the semifinals of the WBC Grand Prix Riyadh Season in Saudi Arabia. After three straight wins against seasoned European opponents, the undefeated southpaw will now face a completely different challenge in Colombian power-puncher Carlos Sinisterra (13-1-0, 10 KOs).

The boxer from Cali entered the Grand Prix as an unknown, initially cruising past China’s Dacong Wang by unanimous decision. Then came two major upsets: a unanimous nod over Finnish amateur standout Hajji Muhis, followed by a spectacular knockout against French powerhouse Ephrem Bariko.

At just 24, Sinisterra may not be the fastest, but he’s a physically imposing fighter with thudding power and a tight, disciplined guard. His body shots are devastating, and his left hook can shut the lights out at any moment.

Pomerleau will need to stay alert from the opening bell to the final second if he wants to avoid Bariko’s fate. Sinisterra is, without question, what you’d call a Dark Horse — a dangerous underdog capable of defying the odds.

Fourth Bout in Riyadh

This will mark Pomerleau’s fourth appearance in Riyadh in 2025.

In his debut, the Stéphan Larouche-trained southpaw outpointed Armenian-Ukrainian bare-knuckle fighter Liparit Ustian by unanimous decision, showcasing sharp counter-punching and slick lateral movement.

Next came Irish left-hander Paul Ryan, who started strong and even scored an early knockdown in the first round, only to be stopped by “Slick” Pomerleau in the third.

In his most recent outing, Pomerleau dispatched Dmytro Rybalko, an Ukrainian based in Croatia, via second-round stoppage — another statement performance from the Fleurdelisé gladiator.

Prediction

This semifinal is a fascinating matchup. While Pomerleau enters as the favorite, he’ll face a real test. If he stays focused and disciplined, he should edge out a unanimous decision victory thanks to his speed and defensive skills. But one punch could still turn his dream night into a nightmare.

Five Judges and Video Review

As in the previous rounds, semifinal bouts will be contested over six rounds.
However, this stage introduces two key changes: five judges instead of three, and video replay will be available in case of controversy. In the event of a draw, the judges will be required to select a winner.

The Other Semifinal: Australia vs France

The other side of the bracket features two of the tournament’s top middleweight contenders: Australia’s Dylan Biggs (16-1-0, 9 KOs) and France’s Laurent Proton de la Chapelle (17-1-2, 5 KOs).

It’s a tough matchup to call — both men are skilled and durable. Proton de la Chapelle has shown the ability to edge out close fights, while Biggs has been dominant throughout.

The Frenchman, naturally the bigger of the two, must use his height and reach advantage to neutralize Biggs’s relentless aggression. The Aussie, for his part, will look to apply steady pressure and grind his opponent down.