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Cloutier’s Canada Corner
Pascal Defeats Badou Jack In A Very Close Bout
By Daniel Cloutier
Photos: Amanda Westcott - SHOWTIME
MONTRÉAL - The Montrealer Jean Pascal, 35 years old,
made a successful defense of his WBA Silver light
heavyweight (175 pounds) championship of the world,
Saturday evening in Atlanta, beating the Swedish African
Badou Jack by Split Decision. Two judges scored the bout
114-112 and 114-111 for Pascal, and the other judge got
a score of 114-112 for Badou Jack. The bout was intense
and close.
“Yes, the fight was close, but I really believe that I
was deserving the win,” said Pascal after the bout. “I
connected more power shots than him in most of the
rounds. If Jack wants a rematch, Il will certainly
accept the challenge. No doubt that we gave a good show
to the crowd.”
Jack replied: “Pascal is a real warrior, but the fight
was extremely close. Before the decision, I thought that
I won the fight, but two judges scored the fight for
Pascal, then, what can i do? It obvious that I am
disappointed by the result of the bout.”
Pascal improved his pro record to 35-6-1, and Jack has
now a record of 22-3-3.
In the first round, Pascal attacked intensively in the
first half of the round, but in the second half of the
round, Jack connected four power shots.
Pascal dominated clearly the second rounds with intense
attacks.
The third round was spectacular. The two fighters
connected several power punches.
Jack was aggressive and intense in the fourth round, but
in the last seconds of the round, Pascal provoked a
knockdown with a solid right hand on the chin.
The fifth round was a furious one. The two fighters
attacked intensively, and Pascal finished the round with
four power shots to the head and the body.
The sixth and seventh rounds were close, each fighter
having his good moments offensively.
In the eighth round, Jack gave a hard time to Pascal,
but the Montrealer got few good counter-attacks.
The round number nine was another close round, with
intense attacks by both fighters.
The 10th round was a good one for Jack, who connected
more punches than Pascal.
Jack got very good moments in the 11th round, and Pascal
did well in counter-attacks.
In the last and 12th round, Jack hurt seriously Pascal
and he provoked a knockdown in the second minute of the
round. In the last minute of the fight, the two fighters
tried to score a KO.
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