Q & A with Jean Pascal

In just over a week’s time Jean Pascal 26-1(16) takes part in a battle of ages against Cerebral Assassin Bernard Hopkins. Pascal’s WBC Light Heavyweight title will be on the line in what will be his fourth defense of the title he won in June of 09′ against Adrian Diaconu. It will be the last significant bout of the year, it pits Pascal 28, speed & skills against Hopkins stealth & cunning. Just weeks after the bout Hopkins turns 46 and will be older than George Foreman was when he Ko’d Michael Moorer back in 1994 for the Heavyweight title. For his part Pascal remains calm and intent on beating Hopkins and making a statement doing so. He’ll have the backing of several thousand fans in his hometown of Quebec City on the night. It’s sure to be an interesting fight, here’s what he had to say.

Hello Jean, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Firstly you have a huge fight coming up when you defend your WBC Light Heavyweight title against Bernard Hopkins. What are your thoughts on this fight?

Jean Pascal – Bernard Hopkins is one of the biggest names in the sport today. His name is synonymous with excellence. I am extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to fight against such a great – well-known boxer.

Anson Wainwright – What are your thoughts on Hopkins as a fighter?

Jean Pascal – Hopkins has a great record to uphold. He has beaten most of the great names past and present, over the last twenty years. You have to respect a record like Hopkins’.

Anson Wainwright – He’s a master of mind games and isn’t afraid to do something to ruffle feathers, for instance when he went to Puerto Rico and threw their National flag on the floor before his fight with Felix Trinidad. Do you think he may try something fight week with you?

Jean Pascal – I am aware that Hopkins likes to engage in mind games. Inconsistent behaviors tend to throw some boxers for a loop. IN that regard, Hopkins has been a teacher and an educator to many great names in the sport. I already am aware that his focus is on playing mental games, both directly, and also indirectly through others. There is nothing much I can do to account for someone else’s games.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about Team Pascal, who is your manager, trainer & promoter?

Jean Pascal – I have worked with Yvon Michel as my promoter since I began in the sport. I interviewed with several potential promoters but chose Yvon Michel and his company GYM because I knew him and have trusted him. Yvon worked with several other well-known boxers residing in Canada before me and did a great job with and also for each of them. He has done the same for me.

Anson Wainwright – You were born in Haiti nearly a year ago now they had that terrible disaster, what can you tell us about that and how it effected you?

Jean Pascal – That was a terrible tragedy that left the country in a real mess and killed a lot people. Even though nobody died in my family I was very scared for first 72 hours because I had no news from anyone. I send my prayers to everyone who looses they’re loves one.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us what it was like in Haiti as a kid growing up and how the move to Canada came about and how that changed your life?

Jean Pascal – Its hard to tell you because I did not grow up in Haiti. I came to Canada at 4 years old and have lived in Quebec ever since. At a more general level, I was sad to follow the footage about Haiti though also amazed about the resilience of the people, and also their generosity to one another while under stress.

Anson Wainwright – You got in to Boxing because of your elder brother when you were 13 years old, can you tell us about those early days and how it came about?

Jean Pascal – I am a former hockey player – though I realized at a certain point that I was quite small physically for that sport. One day I decided to follow in the foot steps of my older brother Nicholson who was the Golden Gloves Champion in 1996. I just wanted to be like my brother, so I began to box. Before long I discovered my talents as a boxer and just wanted to see where my gifts might bring me. I have experienced quite a journey to this point, but that journey is only beginning.

Anson Wainwright – You had a standout amateur career in which you fought in the Olympics & World Championships. Can you tell us what tournaments you won & how you did the major tournaments you fought in? What current pro’s did you fight & how did they go? Also what was your final record?

Jean Pascal – I am a 7 time Canadian Amateur Champion a Francophone Games Gold medalist, a Commonwealth Games Gold medalist, a Pan-American Games Bronze medalist, I finished 5th in 2001 at the World Amateur Championships, and I represent Canada at the 2004 Olympic Games. These were a few of the highlights from my amateur career. Though I will say that I am far more cut out for professional boxing than I was for amateur boxing.

I fought: Paul Smith (UK)….Alfredo Angulo (Mex)… Craig McEwan (sco)… Yordanis Despaigne(cub)….and a lot of other good amateur boxers I don’t even recall. The thing about amateur boxing is that you get exposure to lots of different style, tactics, antics, and boxing strategies. That exposure makes for a versatile boxer assuming the boxer is open-minded and aware of what can be learned. I found that the exposure to those great athletes opened my eyes to the possible types of opponents I now encounter at the top of the game.

Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do when your not Boxing? What are your favourite past times and Hobbies.

Jean Pascal – I enjoy looking movies at home with my daughter Angel and I also have several long-term friends I have been close to since childhood. I continue to hang out with those friends. Finally, I like to study boxing and discuss what I study with my working team.

Anson Wainwright – What are your thoughts on the rest of your division including the other champions WBA Beibut Shumenov IBF Tavoris Cloud & WBO Jurgen Braehmer?

Jean Pascal – MY focus right now is Bernard Hopkins. I do not believe in thinking beyond one fight to the next. After this fight I will work closely with my working team and we will see what options work best for me as a boxer and a business man.

Anson Wainwright – You were in Nottingham in 2009 for the start of the Super Six to watch & support former opponent Carl Froch. What are your thoughts on the tournament?

Jean Pascal – The tournament is fantastic and it reflects an investment on the part of ShowTime to bring to the viewers some of the most interesting fights out there today around the Super Middleweight division. It seems that they have had a few bumps along the way, but on the other hand, they continue to bring great bouts forward. I have watched the bouts with interest given the quality of opposition.

Anson Wainwright – There will be a big crowd in Quebec supporting you on the 18 December what message do you have for those fans ahead of the fight?

Jean Pascal – I feel extremely thankful to my fans for the support. I love my province and also the city of Quebec. It is my hope that we will do many more historic fights there as part of my career. The Mayor of Quebec City invested his enthusiasm in the fight and I am very fortunate for his support. We cannot wait for the bout – it is going to be an extremely hot night in Quebec City.

Thank you for your time and good luck with your up coming fight.

Thank you and watch: www.jeanpascalboxing.com

Anson Wainwright
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