By Alexey Sukachev
According to Canadian expert Jean-Luc Legrand, a rematch between reigning Super WBA, IBF and WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev (28-0-1, 25 KOs) and former WBC title owner Jean Pascal (30-3-1, 17 KOs) is all but set. The fight is taking place at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on January, 30.
Both fighters were involved into a high-octane thriller this past March, with Pascal withstanding early pressure and a heavy knockdown to almost turn back the tide before finally succumbing to Kovalev’s power in the second half of the bout, which was won by the intimidating Russian in the eighth round.
Both Pascal and Kovalev scored wins afterwards on an HBO televised doubleheader to boost a potential rematch. WBO #3, WBC/WBA #5 and IBF #7 Pascal barely squeaked past previously undefeated Cuban Yunieski Gonzalez in what was thought by many to be a questionable unanimous decision at the very least. The fight took place in the undercard of the Krusher’s next title defense – a short blowout of Kovalev’s overmatched mandatory Nadjib Mohammedi.
Kovalev has previously planned his Moscow homecoming to take place this November but nothing had been worked out so this potential event was canceled. In the meantime, says Legrand, Pascal pursued for a huge domestic showdown with the only other champion in this weight class – his compatriot Adonis Stevenson. The latter has obviously chose to walk the other way, as Pascal agreed to exert the rematch option. The first fight took place in the very same venue.
