Meet Australia’s most avoided fighter: Faris Chevalier

 
IF the list of fighters who have chosen against fighting Faris Chevalier is anything to go by, he might be the most avoided fighter in the country.

 
A Frenchman by birth, Faris Chevalier – a fighter who is aptly dubbed ‘The Fox’ – has been plying his trade in Australia for the best part of two and a half years.

 
In that time, Chevalier has only managed to compete seven times as a professional (6-1, 4 KOs), part of this can be argued down to having a lack of reputable management in the early stages of his career.

 
However, for the best part of twelve months, Chevalier, 28, and his team have vocally lobbied to fight anyone from middleweight to light heavyweight, albeit with little success.

 
“To go on a journey with ‘The Fox’ we start in France, where I started my apprenticeship into the world of boxing,” said Chevallier in an exclusive interview with Aus-Boxing. “My learnings taught me the fundamentals of desire, respecting others, believing in my ability and the beauty of the world,”

 
“Australia had always fascinated me, so I booked a direct flight to Cairns to scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef. Shortly after I also found love for this big country and I was taken in by the warmth, honesty and humour of the Australian people.”

 
After a short lived stint in Cairns, Chevalier soon found himself at the famed Fortitude Boxing Gymnasium, where he still trains out of to this very day.

 
“I restarted boxing in Cairns whilst also working with the local children in a new sports gym when I find the passion of boxing calls me to follow my consciousness,” he continued. “Shortly after, I found myself in Brisbane training under one of Australia’s best trainers, Mr Steve Deller and one of the best strength and conditioning coach in John Webb.”

 
The move to Brisbane has paid dividends for Chevalier as the Frenchman hasn’t lost a fight since while also picking up his first title, being the Queensland super middleweight strap.

 
“Since arriving in Brisbane, Steve has renewed my confidence in boxing and reassured me Australia is the right place to reach my goals,” Chevallier explained.

 
Now under the promotional banner of Fightcard Promotions, as well as being under the managerial guidance of the companies founder Adam Wilcock, Chevalier has still struggled to entice some of the best fighters in Australia into the squared circle.

 
“It’s been a tough twelve months for Faris, he’s done everything asked of him and more,” reiterated Wilcock, “Faris will fight anyone in the country from middle to light heavyweight, that’s a seven kilogram spread, we are that confident of his ability,”

 
“Faris watches and he learns, he continued. “He’s in one of the best gyms in the country and you can see him studying and practicing every day. He’s getting better and better,”

 
Without mentioning names, Wilcock elaborated on the fighters that have declined fights against his charge. He cites a current Australian titleholder, a former regional champion who recently lost abroad as well as a highly regarded light heavyweight that is currently on the comeback trail.

 
“From the perspective of both a manager and promoter, it’s been a challenge and certainly my biggest challenge to date, simply put, nobody will fight him.”

 
“Over the last twelve months, I’ve been contacted by other managers and promoters asking for available middleweights and super middleweights,” Wilcock said.

 
“Some at five days notice and some with up to four weeks notice.”

 
“When I offer up Faris, the answer is always a variation of the same ‘no’. They say he is either too slippery, too dangerous, too awkward, they mention that he’s a southpaw or even that there is not enough time to prepare, as well as saying that he is not a television quality boxer,”

 
“The names would astound you. We’ve had a challenge in with the ANBF for the super middleweight title since last May, even offering to promote the fight and hopefully that runs it’s course,” Wilcock explained. “We recently looked like a shot at the Aussie light heavyweight title, before the other camp withdrew.”

 
“We had signed contracts withdrawn, seriously, this boy has heard all the excuses in the last twelve months,”

 
While the names of the fighters who have sidestepped a Chevalier showdown remain unnamed, Wilcock was quick to praise the management of Ben McCulloch, who agreed to defend his regional bauble against Chevalier.

 
“Of all the top super-middleweight names in the country, and you can list them all, Ben McCulloch’s camp is the only one not to make excuse and sidestep,” admitted Wilcock. “Unfortunately the reason that time came direct from the PABA, claiming Faris not suitable.”

 
The talented southpaw is well spoken and represents both his newly found gym and promotional team as well as his adopted home country with great pride.

 
“Steve is paramount to my training and guidance in and out of the boxing ring,” Chevallier continued. “I chose Steve Deller to be my trainer and I see his approach, which has always been direct and honest for all the boxers that train under him.”

 
An articulate Chevalier talks about building foundations, with the firm belief that the road he is currently travelling will bare fruit in the near future.

 
“I find that Brisbane is a beautiful city, with many opportunities and a place where I have built strong friendships within the boxing community and general public.”

 
“I believe that Brisbane will be the place where Faris Chevalier is made into a champion,”

 
“Fortitude Boxing Gym allowed me the opportunity to spar with the best, whilst also provide me the opportunity to meet and spar with other great boxers in the likes of Zac Dunn, Rohan Murdock and Damien Hooper,” Chevallier explains.

 
The honest approach that Chevalier offers shows that the Brisbane resident is not only familiar with the politics behind boxing, but the process he is also enduring.

 
“I find my strong points in the profession of boxing are that I see boxing is a business,”

 
“With this also comes the same desire – ‘to win you must train hard’ – to be the best you must always remain focused and to gain respect you must deliver your words and actions in the same mould you receive respect.”

 
“I have sought out many highly ranked Australian boxers of whom some have signed or agreed to a fight me, then turn around shortly thereafter to deliver me with the usual news that they are not ready professionally.”

 
“It is humbling that my reflection carries a magnitude of respect,” Chevallier reiterates. “I do however feel as a challenger a little let down when my opponent along with their manager/trainer choose to accept that I am silently seated ahead of their protégé.”

 
An intelligent conversation runs its course when Chevailer asks a series of well-timed questions.

 
His rhetoric is clear and speaks volumes about the character of a man who is simply seeking a challenge.

 
“Am I a dangerous fighter?” Chevallier asks. “Sure. But I am definitely building a fan base.”

 
“I welcome a challenge from any Australian boxer ranked in the top ten. From middleweight to light heavyweight – it’s anyone, anywhere, anytime – they can meet me in challenge during 2015,”

 
“Although title holders are preferred,”

 
 
Words: Brock Ellis
Photo: Provided