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Cloutier’s Canada Corner
Yvon Michel:
"Bute-Pascal Or Pascal-Dawson?
We Will Clarify The Situation In The Next 48 Hours"
By Daniel Cloutier
MONTRÉAL ---- A lot of rumours are circulated in Montréal
since 24 hours about a potential fight between the
Montrealers Jean Pascal and Lucian Bute, a possible fight
which could jeopardize the presentation of this WBC light
heavyweight championship of the world opposing Pascal and
Chad Dawson May 25th at Bell Centre in Montréal.
Two months ago, Yvon Michel, the GYM Group promoter, made an
agreement with HBO and Gary Shaw, the promoter of Dawson
(31-2-0), about a rematch Pascal-Dawson scheduled for May
25th by HBO.
Last week-end, the promoter of InterBox, Jean Bédard, meet
Yvon Michel in Atlantic City, and suggested to him a fight
between Pascal (27-2-1) and Bute… as soon as possible.
Monday, InterBox said that a fight Bute-Pascal could be
presented… May 25th.A Few hours after, Yvon Michel
said, "Bute-Pascal May 25th? Not impossible, I don't know at
this point. We got to evaluate all the possible impacts
before we take a decision."
This comment … "evaluate the possible impacts", was meaning
something for all the boxing writers in Montréal.
What exactly?
This: get the permission of Gary Shaw and HBO to cancel
Pascal-Dawson.
Yvon Michel said Tuesday morning: "I cannot confirm to you
now what will happen May 25th, but we will make a decision
acceptable for Pascal, Gary Shaw and HBO. Pascal-Dawson or
Pascal-Bute, we will clarify the situation in the next 48
hours, and confirm you the result."
Former IBF super middleweight champion of the world, Lucian
Bute (31-1-0) met the press Tuesday afternoon at the
InterBox Gym, at the Claude-Robillard Centre in the north
section of Montréal. "My priority was to get a rematch with
Carl Froth, but when I am looking to the big picture, Jean
Pascal has to become a priority for me," said Bute. "Why?
Froch (30-2-0) will probably take his retirement if he loses
his rematch with Mikkel Kessler (46-2-0) May 25th in London.
Then, in these circumstances, a fight with Pascal is
becoming the best option for me. And I know how much it
could be big here, a fight between Pascal and me. It would
become a historic moment for the local boxing. But if Pascal
fights Dawson May 25th, I will cross my fingers in hoping he
will wins, and we could face each other next fall. Anyway, I
am preparing myself for a fight in April or May, Pascal or
not in the picture."
Bute lost his IBF belt May 26th in Nottingham. Froch beat
him by TKO in less than five rounds. Stéphan Larouche,
Bute's trainer, said: "If a fight with Pascal is not
possible for May 25th, we have three options on the table
for Lucian: fight on the undercard of Pascal-Dawson, fight
in Romania, or participate in a boxing show organized by Top
Rank Inc. But I really hope that Lucian will face Pascal May
25th. Locally, a fight Pascal-Bute would be gigantic; it
would provoke an incredible commotion in the Québec medias
and population. Seriously, do you think that a rematch
Pascal-Dawson can draw a so big crowd at Bell Centre? Do you
think seriously that a rematch Pascal-Dawson can create a
huge impact in the local medias? Personally, I really doubt.
Anyway, we will see what will happen. If Pascal fights
Dawson May 25th, we will support him that night, and he
could face Lucian next fall in a WBC light heavyweight
championship of the world. We will see what the GYM Group
will decide in the next hours."
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