Formidable challenge for boxer Pascal

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Jean Pascal has always talked about a good game, but he was remarkably calm, collected and respectful on this day. And the psychological warfare that has become part of their DNA? Even that, sadly, was lacking.

Of course, with nearly three months remaining before Pascal is scheduled to step into the ring against light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev on March 14 at the Bell Center, there is time for something histrionic. On the other hand, perhaps Pascal is keeping his mouth shut this time, realizing the formidable challenge he faces.

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“I respect Sergey Kovalev. He is the king of the division. This will be the best and most difficult challenge of my life. He’s the best in the division, ”Pascal said Monday afternoon during a press conference at a Boucherville restaurant to kick off the long-awaited 12-round fight that will be televised in the United States on HBO.

Kovalev, originally from Russia, is undefeated in 27 bouts (26-0-1). All but four of his fights ended in knockouts. Legendary Bernard Hopkins led Kovalev away last month, but lost by unanimous decision. In fact, Kovalev won each of the 12 rounds on the three judges’ scorecards.

Kovalev, already the 175-pound World Boxing Organization champion, captured the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association titles from Hopkins that night.

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This is not to suggest that de Laval’s Pascal will not enter the ring with some impressive credentials.

Pascal, 29-2-1 with 17 KOs, is a former World Boxing Council light heavyweight champion who made four defenses, including a majority draw against Hopkins, before losing the rematch to him in May 2011.

Pascal has fought only four times since then, including a unanimous decision against Lucian Bute, the former IBF super middleweight champion, last January. Pascal had a two-round no-contest against Argentine Roberto Bolonti on December 6. Pascal is ranked first by both the WBC and WBO, and fifth by the IBF.

Look at my resume. I am always there to fight the best. My fights are always exciting. That is why they chose me. They know that I am a good fighter. They know that I can draw people. They know that I am a good fighter and I am always ready to face the best, ”Pascal said. “I don’t think (mind games) are going to work. Bernard tried it and it didn’t work.

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“I will focus on my training and my game plan to beat Sergey Kovalev. My plate will be full, but I will be ready to face that challenge. “

Kovalev now splits his time between Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale. Capturing the WBO title in August 2013, he went to Wales and stopped his hometown favorite Nathan Cleverly in the fourth round. He has defended four times since then, including a devastating second-round knockout of Ismayl Sillah at the Colisée Pepsi in November 2013.

So deep was Kovalev in training before meeting Hopkins, that he stayed at the camp while his wife gave birth to their son, who is now 2 months old. It wasn’t until after the fight that Kovalev met the baby.

He called Pascal the best opponent, after Hopkins, in the division, obviously scorning WBC champion Adonis Stevenson, who defended his title last Friday in Quebec, knocking out Dmitry Sukhotsky in the fifth round. Last week, Stevenson was ordered by the WBC to meet with the winner of the March showdown.

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“He (Pascal) is training with Roy Jones. He’s getting a lot of experience from a boxing legend. He fought Hopkins twice. He has a lot of experience, ”Kovalev said. “At this moment, I am sure that Pascal is a very good opponent. He is the best opponent of all today in my division.

But Kovalev admitted that he has not followed Pascal’s career and, only now, will he start watching several rounds of his most recent bouts to formulate a plan.

“That will be enough to understand his style,” Kovalev promised. “My goal is not to knock him out. My goal is to get the next victory. If you have a plan, just a plan, and your opponent … something changes from what you saw … he can fight in a different way and your fight is broken and you need to think again about what you need to do. “

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For Pascal, however, the plan will be somewhat simpler. You have to worry about trying to survive, and because you don’t generally possess a knockout punch, you have to rely on your speed, stamina, movement, and intelligence.

“I’m going to have to use my technique, move, dance. I’m going to have to be smart against Sergey Kovalev. It’s a Russian tank, ”he said. “If I try to fight this guy, I’ll probably finish second. I’m going to have to use my brain, dance, and move to win this fight.

“But with the crowd behind me, anything is possible.”

Both Kovalev and Pascal are expected to earn bags of at least US $ 2 million, although Kovalev, as champion, will receive a slightly higher stipend. And, should he lose, Kovalev has a rematch clause in the contract.

“When you are the champion, you are looking for the best opportunities to fight the best fighters and win the most money. This was the best opportunity ever, ”said Main Events CEO Kathy Duva, promoter of Kovalev. “Why not Jean Pascal? That is more the question.

“Without a doubt, Pascal is at the level of a great fighter. He is a former champion. You are in a market where Sergey wants to build his brand. It is a good business opportunity for us ”.

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