English boxing: nominated for the Gard Sportsmen’s Trophy, Nîmes’ Stevens Bonicel… on the gong

On December 14, at home in Nîmes, Stevens Bonicel bowed out with a victory.

On the occasion of the Trophée des sportifs gardois of the Departmental Council (22nd edition), presentation of the Nîmes boxer Stevens Bonicel, nominated for “the public prize”, in partnership with Midi Libre and the Ici Gard Lozère radio station

''Being nominated among the best sportsmen in the Gard is not bad, is it ?'', asks, with a wry smile and not a little proud of this recognition, the 32-year-old Nîmes resident Stevens Bonicel. ''It made me happy, it shows me off, it shows my teacher (José Collados), my club (Nîmes boxe), it makes our sport a little better known'', rejoices the middleweight (72.500 kg) for whom it is a bit now or never to hope to obtain this trophy.

''A great reward for the end of my career''

''It's a great reward for the end of my career, he announces, thus. Indeed, my fight in Nîmes, on December 14, 2024 (victory on points against Montpellier's Elian Damiens d'Hébécourt) was the last. This nomination came at a good time.''

Ranked number 7 in France in the FFBoxe ranking, the resident of Nîmes boxe, with a record of 13 fights for 7 wins, 2 draws, 4 losses, is therefore leaving the ring.

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A professional boxer in the ring… without being one on a daily basis

''When it's over, you always have regrets but, afterwards, with age, work is complicated, he explains. And, then, when you reach a certain level, it's impossible to combine the two, work and sport. If it's to get damaged because you're not ready, or you have problems, it's not good. There are sports, like cycling for example, where when you can't do it anymore, you stop pedaling. There, in the ring, you have no right to make a mistake.''

''When you reach a certain level, it is impossible to reconcile work and sport.''

A professional boxer in the ring… without being one on a daily basis, a situation that is not always easy to manage in a career. Which also limits the ambitions of very big fights.

A lack of support and help

''We are not supported. There, I am one of the only pros in the Gard, I have no help, not a sponsor. The question is whether you have the means or not. For Nîmes, we could have made an international belt, but it costs €17,000 and we were not able to do it. In fact, you have to be well surrounded and have a lot of means.''

The fact remains that, on February 3, at Pont-du-Gard, Stevens Bonicel will be honored to take part in this evening. An event prepared… like a pro: ''At the end of December, we had an appointment for a photo shoot, videos…'' For Stevens Bonicel, a nomination… just before the gong.

Vote on gard.fr (until January 31). The winner will be announced on Monday, February 3 during the trophy ceremony.