How Did Dylan Biggs and Derek Pomerleau Reach the medium weight Final of the Boxing Grand Prix?
The middleweight division has been one of the most competitive throughout all phases of the Boxing Grand Prix. Its two finalists, Canadian Derek Pomerleau and Australian Dylan Biggs, have had to overcome tough challenges, defeating opponents who pushed them to the limit in order to earn the right to compete for the José Sulaimán Trophy on December 20.
Pomerleau is a highly technical boxer with a refined style that has carried him to the final, while Biggs relies more on his strength, counterpunching, and command of the center of the ring. Without a doubt, an electrifying fight is expected.
Dylan Biggs’ Road to the Final
First Phase (Seventeen Rounds):
Dylan Biggs began his journey against Britain’s Hamza Azeem. From the very first fight, Biggs appeared solid and proved himself a serious contender for the title. He dominated the bout completely, earning a clear unanimous decision. All three judges agreed that Biggs was the indisputable winner, giving the Australian his first step toward the ultimate goal.
Second Phase (Round of 16):
A high-voltage clash between Australian Dylan Biggs and undefeated Frenchman Ciril Johnson. From the start, Johnson focused on attacking Biggs’ body, lowering himself to find the perfect angle for his shots. Biggs did not back down and found openings to answer with powerful body hooks. Johnson continued pressing with strong shots, looking to end the fight, but Biggs avoided them and patiently waited for counterpunching opportunities. After the fourth round, Johnson knew he was behind on the cards and went for the knockout, but Biggs was more effective, and the judges awarded the Australian the victory.
Third Phase (Quarterfinals):
Dylan Biggs advanced to the semifinals via unanimous decision in a fight he controlled from the opening rounds, even knocking down Ukrainian Petro Frolov to secure the win.
In the first two rounds, Biggs focused on executing his strategy and took the lead on the scorecards. After the third round, he began fighting more defensively, confident in his advantage. Frolov showed great courage, continuing to apply pressure. Early in the fifth round, a clash of heads opened a cut above Frolov’s eyebrow, and he also suffered a knockdown in that same round. Frolov came out strong in the sixth, but it wasn’t enough, and Biggs left the ring with his hand raised.
Fourth Phase (Semifinals):
Australian Dylan Biggs defeated France’s Lancelot De la Chapelle by unanimous decision to advance to the final, where he will face Canadian Derek Pomerleau. Biggs showed greater power through most of the fight, giving him an early advantage on the scorecards. By the fifth round, all judges already had him ahead. At that point, the Australian slowed the pace, keeping himself away from the danger De la Chapelle posed, as the Frenchman continued pressing in search of a turnaround. However, he couldn’t recover on the cards, and Biggs claimed the unanimous decision.
Derek Pomerleau’s Road to the Final
First Phase (Seventeen Rounds):
Derek Pomerleau is one of the most technically skilled boxers in the tournament, and that carried him into the division final. In his opening fight, he faced Ukrainian Liparit Ustian. Pomerleau impressed in his debut, earning a dominant unanimous decision. All three judges saw him control nearly every round, allowing him to advance to the Round of 16.
Second Phase (Round of 16):
Ireland’s Paul Ryan faced Canadian Derek Pomerleau in this phase. The first round started with power: a left cross from the southpaw Ryan sent Pomerleau into the ropes, and although he didn’t fall, referee Anssi Perajoki issued a standing count. The damage, however, wasn’t enough to stop the Canadian, who recovered and continued fighting.
In the second round, Ryan looked more confident, landing shots and avoiding danger — even mocking Pomerleau at times after making him miss. But the surprise came in the third round: despite being behind on the cards and having taken the count earlier, Pomerleau completely flipped the fight. He landed a brutal left hook to Ryan’s chin, freezing him, and followed with a barrage of punches. Seeing the Irishman badly hurt, the referee stopped the bout. Pomerleau won by technical knockout and moved on to the quarterfinals.
Third Phase (Quarterfinals):
In a short but intense fight, Derek Pomerleau once again showcased the power in his fists, knocking out Rybalko in the second round. The fight began cautiously, but in the second round, Pomerleau stunned his opponent with a powerful right hand to the jaw. He immediately followed with a four-punch combination that left Rybalko unconscious. The referee stopped the fight instantly. Pomerleau advanced by technical knockout.
Fourth Phase (Semifinals):
In a very close fight, Canadian Derek Pomerleau earned a majority decision victory over Colombian Carlos Sinisterra. From the opening bell, both boxers exchanged punches. They shifted from caution to aggression, trading combinations: Sinisterra targeted Pomerleau’s face with precise shots and controlled distance well, while Pomerleau fought intelligently. He stood out especially in the fifth round, when he damaged Sinisterra’s nose — a key moment that influenced the final outcome.
In the final round, the fight was stopped momentarily due to an accidental headbutt that caused a cut on Sinisterra’s face. The bout ended there, and after reviewing a very even contest, the judges awarded Pomerleau the win by majority decision.
