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Lafayette native Chad Broussard is a fight promoter – it is his job to pump up people before the next big fight.
But Broussard’s eyes are shining a little brighter than normal in anticipation of his next big bout.
Boxncar Promotions and In Ya Face Fight Productions are co-sponsoring its Smokin’ Hot Fight Night on Oct. 5 at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center.
Featured in the night of action will be top-notch Louisiana prospect Mason Menard, who will carry a sparkling 25-1 record into his bout.
Broussard said Menard’s opponent is yet to be determined, but the challengers considering the bout will provide a “stiff test regardless.”
All-in-all, the promoter promises a night of bruising action – maybe the best the area has ever seen.
“The fights that we’re about to do are going to be legitimate, top-notch fights,” Broussard said. “This will be the best card Houma has ever seen. I’m just excited because I think we’re expanding our horizons, and we’ll do everything our power to put forward a good show for the people who come out to the show.”
Menard is the biggest name that will be in action in the Houma show.
The 24-year-old Rayne native is the current UBO Lightweight Champion – a title he earned with a unanimous decision victory over Lonnie Smith in June 2012.
Since that fight, Menard has posted five more victories in a row – the last four of which have come via knockout.
Broussard said Menard’s bout will either be a 12-round title fight or an eight-round non-title bout depending on who steps up and takes the challenge.
The promoter said that he expects Menard to be put to the test, regardless of the circumstances of the bout.
In Menard’s last four bouts, he has schooled overmatched foes – all with losing records for their careers.
“We have a guy from California who has the contract in his hands right now to take on the fight,” Broussard said. “If everything goes OK with that, this will be Mason’s toughest fight yet. It’s safe to say that. … Mason is 25-1, and he hasn’t always beaten credible fighters. But he has beaten a lot of credible opponents, too. But if this 12-round fight happens? Listen to me. This will be great. It will be something to see.
“And if not and it has to be an eight-round fight? You best believe we’re going to find someone for Mason who is just as tough of a challenge and just as good of a fighter.”
While Menard’s clout carries the headlines into the October card, Broussard said a laundry list of other top-notch local talent would compete in the ring.
Broussard said In Ya Face boxers Martin and Justin Verdin will both compete at the Houma show.
Martin Verdin’s bout will be against former U.S. Olympics alternate Quantis Graves, who currently owns an 8-0 professional record.
Martin Verdin and Graves went toe-to-toe earlier this year in Opelousas with Graves scoring a close, but unanimous decision.
Broussard said he expects a high-energy contest when the two square off again.
“That first fight was really, really close,” Broussard said. “Martin lost that fight, but he gave him a really good run. That’s going to be a hell of an interesting fight.”
But the bout that might steal the whole show is a battle between two heavyweights.
Broussard said Larose native Wesley Barbier will lock horns with veteran heavyweight Danny Batchelder in six-round action.
Batchelder is an Arizona native and 36-year-old journeyman with a 27-9-1 record – a resume that includes bouts with Kubrat Pulev, Lance Whitaker, Lamon Brewster and James Toney.
Batchelder pushed Toney – a former world champion – to a split decision defeat.
Barbier competed in the early 1990s throughout the Southeast.
After a 19-year layoff, Barbier, 39, returned to action this past June and earned a 32-second first-round knockout win against Rondale Roosevelt – a victory that upped his overall record to 5-1-2.
Broussard said both boxers are prime to put on a show.
“Dude, Wesley Barbier and Danny Batchelder will be the fight to speak about for decades to come,” Broussard said. “Let’s keep this real – both of those guys are on their way out. They are both up there in age. But both guys can fight and both have power, while taking a good fight. This really should probably the main event of the fight – that’s how good this fight is going to be.”
Touted prospects like Morgan Fitch, Devon Adams and Ronald Rivas will also compete.
Larose native and flyweight Payton Guidry is also set to make his debut in the evening.
Broussard said his entire goal for the show is to give a professional feel to the event.
He said he wants fans to leave Houma happy after an exciting night of fights.
“These are good fights – this is going to be like a Las Vegas Pay-Per-View show – all right there in Houma,” Broussard said. “Our lighting set-up is professional and it brings a real atmosphere to this whole night. I’m not going to let our fans down. We want them to go home happy. I’m not going to let the people of Houma down.
“This is going to be the best card that city has seen in years – probably ever.”
Tickets for the boxing show are able to be purchased through the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center’s box office or online at TicketMaster.
General admission tickets for the fight begin at $25, according to Broussard.
Companies looking to get sponsorship tables can also do so to be part of the VIP section.
Prices for those tables range from $600-$1,000.
One table seats multiple people.
Broussard said the fight doors to the Civic Center will open at 5 p.m. the night of the fight.
The opening bell will sound at 6 p.m.
Rayne-based fighter Mason Menard (left) circles the ring and studies his opponent during a recent fight. The highly touted Louisiana fighter will headline Smokin’ Hot Fight Night, which will take place on Oct. 5 at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center. Menard will fight either an 8-round or 12-round bout in the show. If a 12-rounder, he will defend his UBO Lightweight Championship.
