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
15rounds.com

There is a long list of things motivating Bernard Hopkins for his December 18 title bout with Jean Pascal but etched at the top is making history.

“You can’t make history all the time,” Hopkins said. “You can have a winning record, a winning season, but to actually make history — a baseball player hitting 500 home runs or something like that — these things don’t happen all the time.”

“I get a chance to be the oldest boxer on record in boxing history to win a title,” Hopkins continued. “And history making hasn’t ran out for Bernard Hopkins.”

A win in Quebec City against Pascal would result in Hopkins laying claim to both the WBC and Ring Magazine light heavyweight titles. It would also erase George Foreman’s name from the history books next to “Oldest Fighter To Win a Major Championship” and replace it with the Executioner’s.

“I’ll walk through fire with gasoline shoes on to get that,” Hopkins said.

Hopkins (51-5-1, 31 KO), who turns 46 on January 15, is convinced he has seen it all inside the ropes, and doesn’t believe Pascal (26-1, 16 KO) stands out as a superior talent.

“I’ve watched this guy’s [Pascal’s] defense,” Hopkins said. “I’ve watched how he swings with his head down. I’ve watched how he throws wild punches.”

Hopkins continued, “Then I looked at the fighters who have fought me the same way over the years — the Antwun Echols — the guys who threw punches to knock you out. Those punches don’t hit Bernard Hopkins.”

Hopkins, although seventeen years his counterpart’s senior, is convinced he has taken the necessary steps to ensure that he’ll be able to go toe-to-toe with Pascal over the potential thirty six minutes in the ring.

“I’m here because I am the most health conscious, clean-living person. No wine, no champagne; no anniversary, no birthday parties, no New Year’s — no sips,” Hopkins said of his strict zero-alcohol policy. “When you have that mentality, it buys you more time.”

If The Executioner was the least bit unsure he could beat Pascal, he wouldn’t be in the ring, his place in boxing history means too much to him.

“[I’ll fight] as long as it doesn’t take away from my legacy, as long as it doesn’t embarrass my legacy,” Hopkins said.

In less than three weeks, in a bout televised live on Showtime, Hopkins will have the opportunity to continue decorating his already Hall of Fame enshrined resume.

But for an aging prizefighter, one slip up can spell the end of a career — even for fighter as celebrated as Hopkins.

It is for that reason, Hopkins has allowed making history to be his carrot on a stick.

A win for Hopkins reserves another place in the all-important history books for Philadelphia’s finest, while a loss for the man they call ‘B-Hop’ could mean his career is history.

“I know it’s win and go further or lose and go home,” Hopkins said. “It’s the playoffs, baby.”

Thoughts on select fights this past weekend:

Carl Froch vs. Arthur Abraham

I’m having trouble coming to grips that the same guy who showed unbelievable courage and heart by fighting eight-plus rounds with a broken jaw against Edison Miranda took such few risks against Carl Froch.

I also don’t understand how there’s no ‘Plan B’ to Abraham’s strategy. In March, Andre Dirrell provided the blueprint on how to beat Abraham — on Saturday, Froch perfected it. The result: ‘2’ in the loss column for King Arthur.

While he seems to have retained his power moving up in weight — KO’ing Jermain Taylor — and flooring Dirrell twice in Detroit (neither of which counted, one was generously ruled a slip, the other was illegal and left Dirrell out cold) — the problem is that Abraham’s power punches land few and far between.

At super middleweight, he’s just too small in stature to effectively implement his strategy. The taller opponents have been able to keep Abraham on the outside with relative ease. Further, it’s a nice luxury for a boxer to know that when you fire punches Abraham’s way, there will be none coming back at you. For whatever reason, Abraham is either incapable or unwilling to counterpunch.

Although contractually obligated, I do admire how Abraham already stated that he will stay in the Super Six and do battle with Andre Ward in the semi-finals.

While Ward has been more of a brawler than a boxer of late, previous fights and his amateur pedigree leave no doubt that he can box when he has to/wants to. I’d imagine Ward will do his best to adopt the Dirrell-Froch strategy, despite only sporting a one inch reach advantage over the Armenian-born German.

Lastly, I felt really bad for the blonde girl who had to sit behind Nikolai Valuev in Helsinki. Paid top-dollar for a sixth row seat and got planted right behind the 7’2” Russian. Ouch.

Celestino Caballero vs. Jason Litzau

Classic case of underestimation — and struggling with weight apparently. But more importantly, two weeks ago Celestino Caballero uploaded a forty-six second Youtube video in which the lanky Panamanian called out JuanMa Lopez. Caballero called Lopez a “big chicken” with “no heart” & “no cojones” — whatever they are. He was apparently looking forward to a clash with top-notch featherweights and junior lightweights, while overlooking Litzau.

Also, previous to that, he posted a video directed at Litzau telling him the he was going to “break his face” and “kick his ass.”

Whoops.

Andre Berto vs. Freddy Hernandez

According to Dan Rafael of ESPN, Andre Berto made $915,000 for his two minute and seven second fight with Freddy Hernandez. That’s approaching the money Sergio Martinez received for his rematch against Paul Williams. Think about it…

Legendary Bernard Hopkins talks about his December 18th showdown with Jean Pascal

Watch Bernard Hopkins Media Day 1 in Sports  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com
PART 2

Watch Bernard Hopkins media day Part 2 in Sports  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com
PART 3

Watch Bernard Hopkins Media Day Part 3 in Sports  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

NEW YORK (Oct. 14, 2010)—Showtime Networks Inc. is proud to announce that the World Light Heavyweight Championship fight between future Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins and young upstart WBC World Champion Jean Pascal will be televised live on SHOWTIME.

The 12-round world championship bout, originally proposed as a pay-per-view event in the United States, will be held in Pascal’s home of Quebec, Canada—at the Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec City—on Saturday, Dec. 18, and be televised live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET. The event is co-promoted by Group Yvon Michel Inc. and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Casino Montreal and Quebec Tourism. www.regionquebec.com

“We are thrilled to be able to offer this important championship fight directly to our loyal subscribers and fight fans,” said Ken Hershman, Executive Vice President and General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports®. “This is a milestone fight for each man’s respective career and thus this matchup fits perfectly into our programming strategy—to televise the most competitive and meaningful bouts in the sport.

“I want to thank the promoters for this event—Group Yvon Michel Inc., Golden Boy Promotions—and of course the fighters themselves for working with us to bring this bout to our faithful audience. It’s an early holiday present for SHOWTIME fight fans.”

Pascal and Hopkins are setting out on a multi-city, two-country press tour to officially announce their championship showdown with stops in Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto and New York. The press tour will mark Pascal’s first stateside appearance as WBC Light Heavyweight Champion. Please mark your calendars as these are events not to be missed.

PASCAL vs. HOPKINS TOUR DATES AND CITIES

Monday, October 18 Quebec City, Canada (Morning)

Quebec City Hall

Montreal, Canada (Afternoon)

Studio NRJ

Tuesday, October 19 Toronto, Canada

Air Canada Centre

Wednesday, October 20 New York City

Planet Hollywood – Times Square

*Additional Details (media call times, etc.) will be announced shortly.

For information on SHOWTIME Sports®, including exclusive video, photos and news links on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, along with access to the SHOWTIME Sports Facebook® and Twitter® pages, please go to http://Sports.Sho.com.

About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD™, SHOWTIME 2 HD™, THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD™, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND™ and FLIX ON DEMAND®. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks™, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL™. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.

According to Dan Rafael the WBC/Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight champion Jean Pascal will take on Bernard Hopkins on December 18th in Quebec City, Canada and it will be televised on Showtime PPV.

“Showtime will be using their announcers and doing it like a first-class Showtime broadcast. Showtime is excited about it and so are we,” Said Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer.

Hopkins said he weighed 182 pounds on Thursday and was anxious to begin training for the 175-pound fight. He usually prepares for fights in Miami, but said he would instead train in either Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains or New York’s Catskill Mountains.

“I’m doing that because of the climate and the conditions,” Hopkins told ESPN.com just before signing on the dotted line. “I’m not going to train in 80-degree Miami and then go to Canada, where it will be five below.”

“This is the fight where I see if I can go forward or does it end for me,” said Hopkins, who routed nemesis Roy Jones in a lopsided decision in April in a rematch of Jones’ middleweight title win 17 years ago.

“I know what I gotta do to pull out another surprise,” Hopkins said.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, WBC/Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight champion Jean Pascal will take on former Middleweight and Light Heavyweight king Bernard Hopkins on December 18th in Quebec City, Canada

“We agreed on everything,” Hopkins said. “There is no issue. There is no problem with my side or Pascal’s side. The contracts have been drafted. It’s a done deal. All I gotta do is sign.”

Hopkins said he is reviewing the contract, but “I’ll probably sign it before Friday because the [Labor Day] holiday is coming up and I’m going away for a few days.”

Said Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, Hopkins’ promoter, “The fact is that both sides have agreed to the terms. Now we have to get it signed, but I don’t anticipate any problems.

“Both fighters really wanted the fight. If you have two fighters who really want to fight each other then I think the promoters just have to cross the T’s and dot the I’s. I am excited to work with [Pascal promoter] Yvon Michel. I’m really looking forward to it.”

“It’s a big fight for Pascal and a big fight in Quebec,” Said Don Majeski who is the agent for Pascal. “Hopkins is one of the biggest stars in boxing and those are the kind of fights Pascal wants.”

“It could be live on Showtime. We’re having discussions,” Schaefer said. “Or it could be pay-per-view.”

“It’s a crossroads fight. It doesn’t get more crossroads than this one,” Schaefer said. “You have the young guy coming off the biggest win of his career and he’s at an all-time high. Can he beat another star like he did with Dawson? Then you have Hopkins, the experienced veteran wanting to again turn back the clock. Can he do it again and beat an emerging star like he’s done before? It’s a fascinating fight.”

Hopkins, who made a record 20 middleweight title defenses, won the lineal light heavyweight title against Tarver and lost it on a split decision to Joe Calzaghe in 2008. Regaining it is important to Hopkins.

“I need it around my waist,” Hopkins said. “This fight will prove to the world that I am not done.

“I hold no malice or bad feelings to those who are concerned about me, but I’ve always been a son of a bitch when it comes to rising up to the occasion. This for me is the type of fight where I have to top what I’ve done before. I want to keep giving them something where they can’t understand how I’m doing it.”

“I was going through my memory and I had a conversation with [trainer] Naazim [Richardson] and we got stuck on just [two] guys,” Hopkins said of heavyweight George Foreman and light heavyweight Archie Moore.

“It’s a very short list of the guys who’ve done that, so that’s one of my motivations,” Hopkins said. “To make that happen and to add it on top of all the other unusual things I have done in my career, it’s very motivating to me.”

“I have no problem going to Canada,” he said. “I suggested we go to Canada based on the fans that Pascal has up there. And the Canadians have been making a lot of noise lately with [super middleweight titlist Lucian] Bute and Pascal.”

Hopkins, of Philadelphia, has not fought outside the United States since 1994, when he received a draw against hometown fighter Segundo Mercado in a vacant middleweight title bout in Quito, Ecuador.

“I’d rather be fighting in Canada than Ecuador,” Hopkins said.

Jean Pascal retained the WBC Light Heavyweight title and picked up the Ring Magazine championship with a back and forth technical decision over Chad Dawson at the Bell Center in Montreal.

Pascal took the early rounds as he used his speed or quickness that had Dawson befuddled over the first part of the bout. Dawson got in the fight in round nine as he rocked Pascal from a perfect right hook. Pascal steadied himself to take round ten. Knowing he was down on the cards, Dawson came out hurt Pascal on two separate occasions. First Pascal was hurt from a hard combination on the ropes and then from a perfect uppercut that froze Pascal.

Late in the eleventh, Pascal and Dawson banged heads that opened up a huge gash that dripped blood from the right eyelid of Dawson.

The fight was immediately stopped and the fight went to the cards.

Pascal won by scores of 108-101, 108-101 and 106-103 to raise his record to 26-1. Dawson of New Haven, CT suffers his first defeat and is now 29-1.