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Cloutier’s Canada Corner
Pascal & Kovalev
Both Consider Their Fight Crucial
By Daniel Cloutier
MONTRÉAL - The Russian Sergey Kovalev is established
favorite by 3-1 to beat the Montrealer Jean Pascal March
14th at Bell Centre in Montréal, but he is insisting of the
fact he is taking his next opponent very seriously.
Recently, Kovalev (26-0-1), the WBA, WBO and IBF light
heavyweight champion of the world, said that for him, Pascal
(29-2-1) is a bigger challenge than the actual WBC 175
pounds champion of the world, the Montrealer southpaw Adonis
Stevenson (26-1-0).
“Yes, Pascal is more dangerous than Stevenson for me, said
Kovalev. He is faster, he has a better chin and better
skills. I am the favorite to win March 14th, but trust me, I
am taking Pascal very seriously. I got a great training camp
to be perfectly prepared for what Pascal can bring to the
table. It’s the first time I am defending my triple crowns,
then, the moment is crucial for me. I will arrive in
Montréal in the best shape of my career, and I want that to
have a great win with a great performance. And I am sure it
will be the case. No matter if the fight goes 12 rounds or
less, I know I will be the winner.”
Pascal said he will be more than exciting to live this event
televise by HBO. “It’s the most prestigious bout ever
involving a Canadian fighter, than, I cannot be more
motivated than I am now, said Pascal. I got a fantastic
training camp in Big Bear, California, and I am ready for a
war. I am the underdog, and it’s perfect. I want to cause
the surprise of the year on the international scene. I know
my style is usually a serious problem for my opponents, and
it won’t be different March 14th. I want to use my speed, my
mobility, my power and my natural skills to put Kovalev in
trouble. I am more than confident to win».
Pascal won by unanimous decision against the Montrealer
Romanian Lucian Bute (31-2-0) in a NABF North American
championship presented January 18th 2014 at Bell Centre, but
he fought only one round and a half since. His bout against
the Argentinian Roberto Feliciano Bolonti (35-3-0) was a no
contest (second round) September 6th at Bell Centre.”
“I was hoping to get a longer and more intense fight with
Bolonti, but believe me, my preparation for Kovalev has been
not affected by the deceiving evening. I worked so hard in
training during the last three months.”
In January in Las Vegas, the legendary Bernard Hopkins
predicted that Kovalev will stopped Pascal in less than
seven rounds.
Hopkins (55-7-2), who dethroned Pascal as WBC champion of
the world in 2011, in beating him by unanimous decision in
Montreal, lost 12 rounds to nothing to Kovalev November 8th
at the Boardwalk Arena in Atlantic City. A clear unanimous
decision for the Russian, who added to his record the WBA
and IBF crowns. He was WBO champion before the fight.
“Hopkins was predicting my defeat, but do you think
sincerely I am really concerned by his? Anyway, I am in the
underdog’s shoes. It’s not what Hopkins and the Las Vegas
bookies think which is important for me. It’s what I will
achieve in the ring March 14th which is crucial for me. And
watch me!”
John David Jackson, the Kovalev’s trainer said: “No doubt
that Sergey is taking Pascal seriously, he proved it
everyday in training, said Jackson. Sergey will defend three
crowns March 14th, than, for him, it’s the most prestigious
moment of his career. I am positive my fighter will impress
the Montrealers and all the boxing fans who gonna watch it
on TV.”
Kovalev showed against Hopkins he is a very intense fighter.
“Yes, I am very energetic in the ring, and it will be a
weapon extremely important for me March 14th, said Kovalev.
I will have to put a lot a pressure on Pascal to force him
to commit mistakes. Like I said, I see him as a very good
fighter and a dangerous opponent, but I am prepared to take
this challenge and prove I am the real master of the light
heavyweight division.”
Marc Ramsay, the Pascal trainer, said: “Jean cannot be more
motivated than he is now. For him, its a magic moment in the
Canadian boxing history, and he wants to become the hero of
this moment. I am sure he will be fast, brilliant, intense
and energetic March 14th, no matter is the fight goes to the
limit of the 12 rounds.
The co-promoter of the event (organized in partnership with
Main Event), Jean Bédard, the boss of the InterBox Group in
Montréal, is expecting a big crowd March 14th. “I cannot
know exactly at this point how many spectators we will have
at Bell Centre March 14th, but I won’t be surprised at all
if we have over 15,000 boxing fans, said Bérard. As you
know, this event is a historic moment for the Canadian pro
boxing. Never a so prestigious fight involving a local
fighter has been presented on our territory. I believe we
will have a big crowd, and you can be sure that the ratings
on HBO and the Canadien TV pay-per-view will be huge also.
All the boxing fans are waiting this historic moment.”
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