| |
|
|
Cloutier’s Canada Corner
Pascal vs. Kovalev In Montreal
By Daniel Cloutier
QUÉBEC CITY, Canada —— The InterBox Group, leaded by the
promoter Jean Bédard, confirmed Wednesday evening that the
WBA, WBO and IBF light heavyweight championship of the world
opposing the Montrealer Jean Pascal (29-2-1) to the Russian
Sergey Kovalev (26-0-1), will be disputed March 14th at Bell
Centre in Montréal.
Kovalev (26-0-1), who was WBO champion of the world, became
WBA, WBO and IBF champion of the world November 8th at the
Boardwalk Arena in Atlantic City, in beating the veteran
Bernard Hopkins (55-7-2) by unanimous decision (12 rounds to
nothing).
Last month, Bédard and the promoter of Main Event, Kathy
Duva, finalized a deal for that bout. On his side, Pascal
has been involved in a «no contest» fight with the
Argentinian Roberto Feliciano Bolonti (35-3-0) December 6th
at Bell Centre. Bolonti went on the floor in the second
round when Pascal hit him on the left ear with a right hand.
Pascal threw the punch at the same moment that the referee
Mike Griffin called a break in the ropes. After a meeting
with the Québec Athletic Commission authorities, Griffin
declared a «non contest», judging that Pascal did not hit
Bolonti intentionally. Pascal still insisted he never heard
Griffin call a break, neither his corner’s men.
The InterBox group has decided to put the case on a civil
court, judging that Bolonti was faking an injury after his
corner’s men told him to stay on the canvas. The Bolonti’s
team was hoping to see Griffin disqualified Pascal. Bolonti,
who has been escorted out of the ring on a stretcher, went
in a Montreal downtown hospital, but refused to pass medical
tests over there, saying he was feeling perfect.
Bédard talked to his layer and both are estimating that
Bolonti should return the money he got for that bout, for
cause of fraud.
When Pascal will face Kovalev, it will be his first real
fight since January 18th, when he beat the Montrealer
Romanian Lucian Bute (31-2-0) at Bell Centre, by unanimous
decision, in a NABF light heavyweight North American
championship.
|
|
|
