Refusing Defeat, Pascal Outlasts Diaconu In 175 Lb. War

[STEELHEAD]

By Cliff Rold - By Cliff Rold

With Joe Calzaghe retired, Bernard Hopkins possibly out of action through 2009, and the ultra-talented Chad Dawson in search of an audience, Light Heavyweight needed a spark. It got one Friday night in front of a feverish, packed crowd at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Twelve rounds of vicious battle ended with both men elevated as Adrian Diaconu (26-1, 15 KO) came off the floor to survive a rough fifth round only to see his WBC belt wind up around the waist of a gutsy, commanding Jean Pascal (23-1, 15 KO) who refused to let his second title opportunity get away. In the end, the 26-year old Pascal left with a unanimous decision win but it was never easy.

Both men came in under the 175 lb. limit, Pascal at 174 ¼ and Diaconu, 31, at 173 ¼.

The fight had the flavor of a backyard brawl as both, Pascal from Haiti and Diaconu from Romania, had made their bones in Montreal. The fans that have followed their careers were well rewarded. [details]

pascal116-111 here.
man i find that swaggering hands down stuff worrysome.
but that pascal is talented.
guys like him and berto and eddie chambers just go out there with earmuffs on sometimes and don't listen to there corner. i think trainers should get ruff with them when there young and slap them around if they don't listen. and lay down the godt dam law!

exciting fight from start to finnish.

[gopi11]

That was a great fight! The Coors Light Beer girls was a great bonus as well!

[Slotff]

It could have been FOTY. Great, great fight.

I actually had a very wide card. I had it 117-111 Pascal.

You didn't score the knockdown?

[mickey malone]

Not in the least bit surprised..
Anyone who goes the distance with Carl Froch, knows what they're doing..
As I've said before, Froch's gonna make waves...

[KILLA RIGHT]

Pascal isn't horrible he at least has great speed and has a hell of a chin

[BetterCallSaul]

Not in the least bit surprised..
Anyone who goes the distance with Carl Froch, knows what they're doing..
As I've said before, Froch's gonna make waves...

Froch is a lot better than what most people think. Taylor gassed, but Froch played his cards just right.

For me, Froch is the No1 SMW.

[King Koko]

It was good, but god Pascal is terrible.

Y do you say that? Pascal was a great amateur and he is on his way 2 becoming a great Professional. He has speed, power, he is an exciting fighter 2 watch he went the distance with Froch and less than a year later defeats the UNDEFEATED WBC champ in Diaconnu. So please explain 2 me, how is Pascal terrible?

[bboy80]

Great fight i'm glad i stayed up too watch this one.. Pascal fought to a very good game plan and outwork his opponent for most of the fight.



After that Froch's stock has only gone up in my opinion..



I know im prob going to get slated for this but. After that Peformance from Pascal it makes me thing he should try and get a fight with Hopkins. So far Hopkins as always lost to the faster man, and this could be the right time for Pascal to make his move..

[Boxingwizard]

Dawson would probably want to get the IBF belt back from Tavoris Cloud. Other than Dawson there isn't really that many big fights for Pascal. Maybe Allan Green should move up to LHW and challenge him.

[MANGLER]

****ed up and missed it. Got the trusty DVR on it tho. Gotta watch it today.