by Richard Cloutier
The WBC/IBO light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal was in Montreal on Saturday, where he made the mandatory seven day safety weighin. Pascal's weight was recorded at 181.8 lbs. The limit was 184 lbs. For seven day safety weigh-ins, the boxers must not exceed 5% of their weight division. The light heavyweight limit is 175-pounds. The event was held at Club Sportif MAA on Peel Street located in Montreal. As for Bernard Hopkins, who was in Philadelphia, he tipped the scales at 179 lbs.
For Jean Pascal, this weigh-in signaled the end of more than six weeks of training spent in Miami, including with heavyweight Olympian Odlanier Solis. On Sunday, Jean Pascal had to go to Quebec, but his flight was canceled due to bad weather. He was going to join promoter Yvon Michel, on-site since Saturday. He will be leaving Monday morning instead, to be in Quebec City late in the morning. He must in particular meet fans at noon in a shopping center for a scheduled public training function.
On December 18, Pascal will eventually confront the American Bernard Hopkins, a fighter who has 51 victories and who left his mark in the history of boxing. On a press conference call this week, Hopkins explained that this is indeed his will, to make his mark in boxing history and that it what motivates him to face Jean Pascal. In fact, if he won, he would beat a historic record by nine days; a record that was set by George Foreman as being the oldest fighter in history to win a title.
At the time of this writing, it remains that the identity of Michael Zewski's opponent is not clear. The identity of the opponent who will face British champion Tyson Fury (12-0) is also unknown. In all likelihood, his opponent Puerto Rican boxer Israel Carlos Garcia (20-3) of New York, is not coming in.
Recall that initially, Tyson Fury had challenged the current champion of Canada, Neven Pajkic. But it was preferable not to stage it at this time. Both men, however, may meet in the ring on February 4th at the Molson Centre in Barrie, Ontario, when Pajkic will return to competition. Note that on the same card, Troy Ross could fight for the NABA title. As for the former Canadian heavyweight champ Raymond Olubowale, he would face Tye Fields.
