by Richard Cloutier, Netboxe.com
Groupe Yvon Michel and Golden Boy Promotions launched their media tour to promote the duel between the world champion of the WBC, light heavyweight Jean Pascal (26-1-0), who faces the legendary Bernard Hopkins (51-5-1 ) at the Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec City on December 18. This tour has led to stops in Quebec and Montreal. And the teams will head to Toronto and then travel to New York on Wednesday. It will be certainly one of the biggest boxing matches to be held in Canada. The duel will also broadcast by the American network Showtime and should be seen by nearly 60 million people.
"Here in Montreal, you like boxing and big events," said Bernard Hopkins, when asked to speak. And I understand you. There is nothing like boxing. There's nothing like hearing the crowd scream when walking to the ring. Personally, I am motivated by history. My entire career is dedicated to history and I will continue to box as I am able to be involved. I will stop only when I am no longer able to make history. Jean Pascal is an excellent boxer. He is the champion. He is recognized by The Ring magazine as the best and that's why I want to fight it. Jean Pascal is perhaps the future of boxing, but I am both past and present. I'm the one who is currently in boxing history. "
For his part, Jean Pascal did not miss the opportunity to launch some arrows from his rival. From the outset he addressed Hopkins: Hey Bernard, what time is it? Oh, it's time for a new era. Believe it or not, I'm the new guy on the block. Then adding mouse corner to editors: You know me well. "
On a more serious tone, Jean Pascal has confirmed that this was the biggest fight of his career. "You know, I was overlooked in my last fight, yet I have overcome opponents the likes of Chad Dawson and Adrian Diaconu. True, I am inclined to Carl Froch, but that's what made me better. That's what helped me win my battles thereafter.
As for his shoulder problems, Pascal was reassuring: "It's ancient history. I demonstrated in my last fight. My shoulder held up and I felt no pain. It was the first time in three years that I felt no pain. " Remember that Jean Pascal had to undergo surgery at the end of his second duel with Adrian Diaconu. During the fight, his shoulder had popped out three times, and then popped back in between rounds by his corner man Russ Amber.
Following the briefing, BoxingScene.com/Netboxe.com spoke briefly with Jean Pascal. He gave us an exclusive perspective on the Hopkins battle while discussing the preparation.
"I view this fight as an experiment. Why do I speak from experience? Because we don't see an old dog doing new tricks. Sure, I can not bring things that he's never seen in the ring before, given the experience that Bernard Hopkins has. So it's a fight where I will be very focused. Where I really have to follow the instructions from my corner. It will be important for me to keep focus and stay focused as I normally am, but with a little extra. About my preparation, I think that we should not change a winning recipe. So far, my recipe is very successful so we will keep everything the same. We'll just train a tick louder. "