[2] After remaining in Canada post the Francophone Games, Walid Smichet embarked on his professional boxing career in July 2002.

His debut match, which took place at the Pierre-Charbonneau Centre in Montreal, resulted in a victory on points against Martin Desjardins.

[1] Following this four-year unbeaten stretch, Walid Smichet then faced Donny McCrary, star of the reality TV boxing show The Contender, at the Montreal Casino, in February 2006.

O'Brien, who was undefeated in his professional career with a record of 17 straight wins, fought well and was ahead on the judges scorecards when with less than half a minute remaining in the bout he was caught with a right-hand from Smichet and knocked clean out.

Demers had just been beaten for the first time in his career after facing Arthur Abraham for the IBF middleweight title in Germany.

on the undercard of the Wladimir Klitschko world heavyweight title unification fight versus WBO belt holder Sultan Ibragimov at the Madison Square Garden in New York City.