“I did it Rocky style!” » Norman boxer Lancelot de la Chapelle wins an international belt

2023-10-31 12:33:23

11 victories, 1 defeat in his last fight, Lancelot de la Chapelle at 25 years old is a promising young professional boxer. Proof that his last result did not affect him, because for his first fight abroad, on Saturday October 14, he won the WBC Francophone super middleweight belt in Canada against Brandon Brewer, a much more experienced opponent ( 25 wins, 2 losses, 2 draws).

Born to a Belgian mother and a Parisian father who was a boxing enthusiast, Franco-Belgian Lancelot de la Chapelle grew up in Beuzeville (near Honfleur). He started boxing at the age of 6, “because I was too turbulent. My parents took me to Athman Bouhemama who is still my coach to channel me. It was already in this boxing gym where at the time, there wasn’t even a ring. I came there twice a week.”

Normandy Champion at 7 years old

With skills quickly spotted, boxer Eurois became Normandy champion at the age of 7, Interregional Champion at 11 and won his first French Champion title at 13. Several will then complete his list of achievements. Major, Lancelot de la Chapelle will also join the Belgian national team, “the one who gave me my chance while another ignored me” to go as far as the World Championships and the qualifications for the Olympic Games from Tokyo in 2020 “where I finished 7th while they only took the first six”.

In November 2021, the Normand began his professional career in the super-middleweight category, “after a certain number of amateur fights and a minimum of victories. I quickly secured the services of a promoter, Gérard Tesson and around my coach Athman Bouhemama, a technical staff because my goal was to do as many fights as possible to gain experience. The first took place on November 4, 2021 in Grenoble which I won with fists. Finally, I’m going to do two in 2021, four in 2022 and I’m up to six in 2023, the most difficult of which was on June 24 at the Kindarena in Rouen against Kevin Lesa Nguivason, which I won with fists. But, as I was an organizer and a boxer, concentration was difficult.”

At the end of August, an organizer contacted him to fight Brandon Brewer in Canada to compete for the vacant WBC Francophone belt in a fight over ten three-minute rounds: “I didn’t know him. With my staff, we inquired and watched videos. We had time to prepare, which I did with sparring partners in the Paris region. We worked on themes to dissect my game and his. Arriving a week before the fight in Fredericton, I was able to get used to the time difference and train every day without forcing myself. I did it Rocky style, in the woods [rires]. Finally, on the big day, I managed to put myself in my own bubble to avoid the pressure of a room of 2000 people who booed me. It’s normal ! It didn’t destabilize me,” recalls Lancelot de la Chapelle.

A victory that will create opportunities

In the end, everything happened very quickly. The Frenchman hit his opponent on the chin with an uppercut, who faltered in the first round. The doctor came to meet the Canadian in the 6th round and the referee declared a knockout in favor of the Eurois in the 9th round: “He was taking too many blows. I was stronger technically. I dominated the entire fight. At the final gong, the public was very fair and applauded me. I went to see Brandon to find out about his condition. And, of course, it was an enormous personal satisfaction. A big step for my career. I rose to 81st in the world, but beyond this belt, these are the opportunities that this victory will generate. I am happy and proud. Plus, the return to Beuzeville was incredible! A first for our club.”

After fifteen days of rest, Lancelot de la Chapelle is already back in the ring to continue his season which will certainly include the French Championship at the start of 2024, “but above all a return fight against Brandon Brewer. It was a clause in the contract. He demanded his revenge during negotiations. I accepted and I’m ready. I now have the belt to defend and I remain very motivated. This will certainly take place in May 2024 in Canada unless we find a promoter to organize this fight in France and why not in Normandy.”