Talking to Wilkens Mathieu as he approaches the biggest fight of his career is a bit like talking to a wise old man. While we may not realize that the boxer is only 20 years old, his youth certainly does not prevent him from having a clear vision of life.
Mathieu (14-0-0, 10 KOs) is considered a rising star in Quebec boxing. The Quebec fighter is preparing to face fellow Brossard native Shaquille Finn (27-3-2, 17 KOs), 14 years his senior, on Thursday night at the Eye of the Tiger Management gala at the Montreal casino.
The WBC and NABF Americas Continental Super Middleweight (168 lb) belts will be on the line for the occasion.
For Mathieu, this is an opportunity to get into the top 15 of various world rankings. How many 20-year-olds would be excited about this opportunity? Or paralyzed by the scale of the task? Not Wilkens Mathieu.
“This is by far the biggest challenge of my career. I am happy and grateful. At the same time, I am someone who has always planned my life. The fact that this title fight is happening so quickly is not a big surprise. I have already thought about it.
“I knew I was going to turn pro at 18. That's what happened. I knew that when I made it to the pros, I would have seven fights in each of the first two years to stay active. That's what happened. I knew that in my third year I would have to fight for minor titles, and that's what will happen. Everything that happens was already written in my head. Everything that happens is just part of the plan,” he says simply.
Accelerated Career
Some may think Mathieu is skipping steps. Maybe, maybe not. The only thing that can be said for sure is that, according to his plan, the boxer does not have time to ask himself such questions.
Because his plan has a tight deadline.
“I have two good years of experience. I have gained popularity in Quebec and the world loves my style. I want to continue to climb the rankings, become world champion within two years and retire at 26,” he says.
“I don't have time to waste. I don't want to box for 15 years. I want to leave boxing at the peak of my powers, with life ahead of me. I don't want to wait until my abilities start to decline. I won't let boxing take me. I'm going to quit boxing,” the Weremotor continues thoughtfully.
Important Goals
Obviously, even with the best plan in the world, boxing is full of surprises, and a bad performance can quickly turn things upside down.
Mathieu understands this very well and insists on his ability to adapt. His detractors will say it would be presumptuous to imagine himself a world champion in two years' time, but the slugger is more philosophical.
“If I tell myself we'll see how things go, there's nothing pushing me. I need a goal to perform. I need pressure to achieve my goals. I don't like boxing without knowing where I'm going.
“What makes a person happy is having goals. I think people who don’t do anything in their lives are when they become unhappy. You always need to move forward, even if you became a millionaire or achieved everything you wanted. That’s how we humans are made. To find joy in life, you need a goal that you can achieve,” he sums up.
Several interests
And if he's already talking about a possible retirement at 26, it's because Wilkens Mathieu doesn't let boxing define him as a person.
That's why, without going into detail, he says he's already started a business in an area that's “working really well.”
“There are a lot of boxers who don't give names, for whom boxing is their only identity. Without boxing, they are nothing. Boxing is part of my life, but it's not my whole life. I would like to act in films. I want to be a model. I have a lot of business ideas that I would like to implement,” he explains.
But above all, Mathieu insists on one point. It's not because he dreams of a thousand and one projects that he doesn't think about his main project.
“I can be the person I want, but the fact remains that boxing has been my first love since childhood. I have always been passionate and there is no way I will achieve my goals.”
Semi-final, which could become the final
PHOTO BY FURNY PAR VINCENT ETHIER / EYE OF TIGER MANAGEMENT
During a lengthy interview with Mathieu Wilkens, the Quebec boxer calmly and thoughtfully answered all of our questions. Only once did he seem a little irritated to me…
While discussing his fight against Shaquille Finn, we asked him if he felt the added pressure of making his first career semi-final. The fight will precede the main fight of the evening at the Montreal casino between Canadian Mary Spencer (10-2-0, 6 KOs) and American Michaela Mayer (21-2, 5 KOs) for the WBO and WBC super middleweight belts.
“It turns out there's a big fight going on, involving Mary Spencer and her very famous opponent in the US, so the television favors them fighting in the final. But you know, my fight could be the final,” he replies.
However, Mathieu is well aware that this could be a trap. Finn has never suffered a knockout defeat.
“I don't mean I'll be the first one to put him to bed. Whether I win by decision or by knockout, what matters is that I win. I'm usually determined to win by knockout. To impress. I want to win this fight at any cost, no matter what. I'll be very meticulous and I want to be perfect. I need to be on top to beat him,” he analyzes.
Two boxers from here
Ironically, Finn is an accomplished boxer who Mathieu has enjoyed watching as he rises through the ranks. Today it is he who faces his goal of becoming one of the 15 best in the world.
“Before we fought together, I had been following his career and wanted him to get a big fighting opportunity. He's from Quebec and I like to support boxers at home, but it was a bad choice to go down against me. He's going to end his career against a young up-and-comer, but listen… he decided to face me,” says the young fighter.
