Pascal Predicts Bute Will Get Knocked Out in Five

By Ryan Burton

Former WBC light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal (27-2-1) is currently in Las Vegas training for his Canadian showdown against Lucian Bute (31-1).  The fight takes place on May 25th in Montreal.  Bute was undefeated in his first 30 pro fights before being dominated by Carl Froch last May.  I asked Pascal for his opinion of Bute and for his thoughts on what happened to him in that fight.

"I see that Carl Froch had a good fight but in boxing we cannot judge a boxer by one fight. Bute maybe had a bad night or maybe he was sick or something happened. We don't know.  At the end of the day Bute has skills.  He defended his title about 10 times.  He beat world champions for 5 years there. I expect a great Bute.  I am in good shape and ready for May 25th,"  Pascal explained.

Pascal has been inactive of late, having fought only once since losing to Bernard Hopkins on May 21st, 2011.  He also injured his shoulder in his last fight which took place this past December.  The 30-year-old Haiti native says that he feels better than ever and went as far as predict that he would stop Bute.

"I feel really good.  I feel like I never stopped.  My shoulders feel really good and honestly I am going for the knockout in this fight," Pascal revealed.

Before the fight against Bute came to fruition, Pascal was slated to face Chad Dawson in a rematch of their August, 2010 fight which Pascal won by technical decision.  Pascal said that he has no problems facing Dawson again but made it clear that the American will benefit a lot more from a rematch than he will.

"I don't need to chase Chad.  I beat him and I beat him clearly.  If Chad wants to fight me I don't have a problem, but right now I have other business to take care of.  I need to beat Bute.  I don't need Chad.  Chad needs me.  I am the cash cow in the division and you know that Chad!" Pascal told Boxingscene.com.

When asked for a prediction Pascal finished our conversation with a message for the fans that like to wager on the sport.

"If you want to bet, bet on the 5th round.  I get 10% okay?" Pascal said while laughing.

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