VIDEO: Bivol vs Pascal Weigh-in LIVE from Hard Rock Hotel Casino, Atlantic City

Dmitry Bivol vs. Jean Pascal Scouting Report

(Atlantic City, NJ) – Dmitry Bivol of Russia (14-0, 11 KOs) defends his WBA Light Heavyweight World Title against former Olympian and former WBC, IBO, and Ring Magazine champion Jean Pascal of Canada (33-5-1, 20 KOs) on Saturday, November 24, 2018 as HBO World Championship Boxing returns to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s Etess Arena in Atlantic City. Bivol fights in his first main event in the U.S., and Pascal fights for the first time ever in Atlantic City. This will be the second boxing event at the recently opened Hard Rock Atlantic City. Below is the scouting report for this fight.

Category
Dmitry Bivol
Jean Pascal
Age
27
36
Record
14-0-0 (11 KOs)
33-5-1 (20 KOs)
Strength
The champion is a strong and skilled boxer/puncher. He possesses power in both hands and is quick on his feet. He’s proved in his recent bouts his endurance is becoming one of his most notable strengths.
The challenger is an experienced and tough veteran who has taken on the best fighters in the world for over a decade. His chin has always been extremely durable and he has legitimate knockout power in both hands.
Weakness
Bivol has not been in the ring with an opponent quite like Pascal. This is a major step-up for the champion, and he will need to be on his A-game for anything the former champion may bring.
Pascal has an entertaining tendency to turn a boxing match into a slugfest. This may backfire considering the power and elusiveness of his opponent.
Experience
Although he has accomplished great things in his short career thus far, Bivol has not faced someone with the experience and achievements as his opponent.
Pascal is the most experienced of the active light heavyweight contenders. He has fought numerous champions throughout his career, including Bernard Hopkins, Lucian Bute, and Sergey Kovalev.
Power
Bivol has rigorous power in both hands. His power was on full display earlier this year when he became the first and only fighter to stop the durable Sullivan Barrera.
Pascal’s power has been one of his most prominent strengths throughout his career. He has a strong left hook and an overhand right he delivers with authority.
Speed
Bivol’s hands are fast and he throws devastating combinations. He moves around the ring very well and is extremely elusive.
When Pascal finds himself in a position to finish a fight, his speed is put on full display, as he doesn’t hesitate to release everything in his arsenal.
Endurance
In 2018, Bivol proved he can dig deep in the championship rounds when he needs to. In August he earned a 12-round unanimous decision over former title contender Isaac Chilemba.
Pascal will have the advantage in grit and determination. He has proven time-and-time again his heart is as big as anybody in the sport. He has gone 12-rounds in ten career fights.
Accuracy
Bivol’s aggressive and in-your-face style allows him to be an accurate puncher. He likes to close in on his opponents, leaving them with little room at all to run.
Pascal will be at a slight disadvantage. His accuracy becomes more pinpoint once he engages his opponents into the slugfest that he looks for.
Defense
Bivol is not the easiest fighter to hit. He is constantly on his toes and can answer your shots with more devastating shots of his own, which is always on the minds of his opponents
Pascal has always been a more offensive minded fighter. He takes shots to give them, and luckily has had a granite chin throughout his career.
Chin
Bivol’s chin proved to be durable in his bout with Sullivan Barrera. He took some major shots and weathered the storm to earn a TKO win. Jean Pascal will be the hardest hitter Bivol has ever faced.
Pascal’s chin may be one of his most prominent strengths as a fighter. He has only been stopped once in his long and accomplished boxing career.
Style
Bivol is a physical, in-your-face fighter. His jab is his favorite punch. He uses it effectively and throws vicious combinations behind it. The champion likes to apply pressure on his opponents and not leave results to the judges.
Pascal is an aggressive and confident fighter who likes to stand and trade with his opponents if given the opportunity. He is a fierce competitor in the ring and lays it all out on the line every time.
Intangibles
Bivol was put on a fast track to a title, one few have been able to finish successfully. This fight is no different. It will be his most difficult test in his young career. He faces a fighter who has only tasted defeat against current or former world titleholders. If the champion comes out with his hand raised, then he would join an accomplished list of fighters: Sergey Kovalev, Eleider Alvarez, Carl Froch, and Bernard Hopkins.
Throughout his career, former titleholder Pascal has never backed down from a challenge. He has run the gauntlet in the light heavyweight division, with no plans of stopping. In what was supposed to be a retirement party against undefeated prospect Ahmed Elbiali, Pascal turned the tide on the youngster and scored a sixth round TKO. He feels this fight will be no different, except that a victory will make him a world champion once again.
Crowd Support
Bivol has an exciting fighting style. In his second consecutive bout in Atlantic City, New Jersey, it is expected Bivol will have solid crowd support for this bout.
Similar to his opponent, Pascal should expect to have significant crowd support. The Canadian boxing fans are loyal and are expected to make the trip to Atlantic City to watch their fighter attempt to regain the title.
The Match-Up
1. Will Pascal be able to handle Bivol power in both hands?

2 Will Bivol be able to keep his composure if Pascal turns the fight into a slugfest?

3. Will Pascai be able to cut the ring off and handle the speed of Bivol?

4. Will Bivol be able to handle Pascal’s power?

“Trying to get someone to agree to fight Dmitry Bivol is never an easy task, believe me I know,” said Main Events matchmaker Jolene Mizzone. “When Pascal got the call, he didn’t even have to think twice about it and accepted within 10 minutes. Pascal sees an opportunity and is going to try and capitalize.
“Bivol to his credit is willing to fight any veteran, champion or boxer coming up, it doesn’t matter who it is. These are two boxers that are refreshing to match and what boxing is all about, taking risks and challenging yourself.”

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Dmitry Bivol vs. Jean Pascal Media Roundtable Quotes

Dmitry Bivol, WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion

Question: “How does it feel to be back on the Boardwalk?”

Bivol: “Good. It is a lot colder than last time, but it feels good.”

Question: “What did you take from your fight with Isaac Chilemba, a crafty guy like that?”

Bivol: “I took a lot of experience against Chilemba. He has good defense, and he has speed, a quick fighter. Just good experience.”

Question: “What does Jean Pascal offer to you?”

Bivol: “Pascal is a different fighter than I had before. He is a former champion. I know he’s a strong guy. He has a good counter attack. He has good experience.”

Question: “It doesn’t seem like you’ve ever stepped away from a challenge.”

Bivol: “No, it doesn’t matter. Every fighter has good sides and bad sides. It gives me a chance to show my good skills to people, and I think it will make a good fight.”

Dmitry Bivol
Photo Credits: Tom Briglia/Main Events

Question: “What is your good side?”

Bivol: “I’m not the quickest, I’m not the strongest, I’m not the most dynamic. But I have all these qualities for a boxer. I have something inside of me which helps me to be a winner.”

Question: “What is that?”

Bivol: “I don’t know, some voice inside of me.”

Question: “And it always comes out when you are fighting someone?”

Bivol: “It’s always been with me, yes.”

Question: “I understand this is one of the final fights HBO is broadcasting. Is this meaningful to you?”

Bivol: “I’m really grateful to HBO for this opportunity. When I was young, I watched famous boxers like Mike Tyson, Roy Jones, Manny Pacquiao, fight on HBO. I wanted to be famous like these guys, a champion fighting on HBO. And now I’m fighting in an HBO main event. It’s an honor for me.”

Question: “One of your main goals is to unify titles. Is it hard to stay focused in the meantime?”

Bivol: “This is just a step for my main goal. I can’t describe my main goal, but I know I want to realize my potential to be the champion. This is one of the steps to my goal. Unification fight, this is a step to my goal.”

Question: “Has every step you’ve taken recently been leading to your goal?”

Bivol: “I don’t know exactly if this will be the toughest fight for me, but every fight for me is important and a big responsibility. Every fight is like that. If I lost my previous fight, I would not have the opportunity for this fight.”

Question: “What do you have to do to win this fight?”

Bivol: “I have to do what I can, what I’ve trained, relax and focus on the plan from my training camp.”

Question: “I guess you can’t tell me the plan?”

Bivol: “No (laughs).”

Question: “What’s it like to be back in Atlantic City fighting again?”

Bivol: “I’m glad, because I’ve gotten used to this.”

Question: “Do you feel like you are getting a fan base here in Atlantic City?”

Bivol: “I met a couple people who wished me luck. I hope there will be more and more and more people.”

Question: “Do you notice people coming down from New York, where most of the Russians live?”

Bivol: “Yes, some people are sending me messages that they are going to be at my fight. My friends from Miami will come. From Russia, of course some people will come support me.”

Question: “A Korean newspaper is coming, too.”

Bivol: “That’s good!”

Jean Pascal
Photo Credits: Tom Briglia/Main Events

Jean Pascal – Former WBC Light Heavyweight World Champion

Question: “Are you looking forward to Saturday night?”

Pascal: “Of course!”

Question: “Have you ever fought in Atlantic City before?”

Pascal: “Not yet. I’ve been here twice. The first time I came to see Arturo Gatti fight, a Danish guy [Thomas Damgaard], I don’t remember the name. The second time I came to see Carl Froch fight against Andre Ward in the Super Six.”

Question: “Atlantic City has a reputation as a big fight town. Is it a big deal to fight on the Boardwalk?”

Pascal: “I like it because Gatti used to fight here, he’s from my hometown. There is history here as well. I’ve been there, done that, I’ve fought in Vegas, England, Miami. it’s not my first world championship.”

Question: “How much do you think your experience will come into play?”

Pascal: “Definitely, I have a lot of experience. But I know he can beat me. I’m very glad to have this opportunity. I want to thank Dmitry Bivol for this opportunity. I respect Dmitry a lot. I think right now he’s the best fighter in the light heavyweight division. But I’m going to try and stop him Saturday night.”

Question: “Why did you pick him as an opponent?”

Pascal: “Because,I don’t back down from any challenges. When they call, I just say yes. When an opportunity comes, I just say yes. They call me up, I say yes, I take the challenge.”

Question: “What does he offer different from any other opponents you’ve fought?”

Pascal: “His nickname must be the problem, because I have a lot of problems to resolve Saturday night. He has good distance, he has good balance, he’s strong, he hits hard. It’s going to be a great fight on Saturday night.”

Question: “What do you present he hasn’t seen before?”

Pascal: “Like I said,you cannot buy experience. You need to live it. You need to experience it. I’ve been in there with Kovalev twice. I’ve been in there with Hopkins twice. I’ve been in there with Carl Froch, [Lucian] Bute, with [Adrian] Diaconu. Like I said, this is something you cannot buy. He might be young, fresh, but I’ve got experience on my side.”

Question: “What are your good sides?”

Pascal: “Come on Saturday night and you will see.”

Question: “I guess you can’t tell me your bad sides?”

Pascal: “Come Saturday, maybe you won’t see it though.”

Question: “Styles make fights. Is this one of the styles you think will make a good matchup?”

Pascal: “Dmitry’s not a chicken. He’s not going to run around, I know he likes to fight. He wants to put on a good show, he’s there to fight me and impress the public. I know it’s going to be a great battle on HBO. I think, seriously, I really think it’s going to be the best fight of this year on HBO.”

Question: “Is this fight important to your legacy?”

Pascal: “I’m making history again. I said before, I was the first Canadian boxer to be on HBO in Canada against Chad Dawson, so I was very proud. It was when I was world champion. I’m going to be the last Canadian boxer who fights on HBO World Championship Boxing. Once again, I’m making history. So, I’m very glad and happy and proud of myself.”

Question: “Do you study your opponent, or wait and see in the ring? Do you study someone’s style?”

Pascal: “I study my opponent, but not too much. Just because he’s fought like this the last time or the last three fights, it doesn’t mean he’s going to show up in the same way. So, I study my opponent, but not too much.”

Question: “You don’t know how he’s going to react to what you do, right?”

Pascal: “I know that he knows me really well. I know him too, really well. He knows what to expect from him. He’s got better and better. He’s a young champion. He’s getting better and better. So, I know it will be a great fight.”

Question: “Is there one fight out there you haven’t had you wish you had?”

Pascal: “I’m a veteran, I won’t be caught up on the speculation. I’m focused on Dmitry right now.”

Question: “How do you feel fighting in Atlantic City?”

Pascal: “It’s my first fight here, but it won’t be my last.”

Question: “Did you know this is a big vacation spot for Montreal?”

Pascal: “I didn’t know that. My main focus is to stay focused. After my victory. I’ll come down here.”

Murodjon Akhmadaliev
Photo Credits: Tom Briglia/Main Events

Question: “Your professional career has moved very quickly. Is that something you wanted when you turned pro?”

Akhmadaliev: “It is a big honor. And it is unexpected to be honest with you. I am thankful to my promoter and to my management that I am able to move that quickly. It is definitely a shock but is something that is making me happy. I am very pleased to be where I am.”

Question: “Do you ever worry about opponents that have more experience than you?”

Akhmadaliev: “Yeah definitely they have an experience advantage, but I have a lot of amateur experience and I feel that I am ready for this. I am ready for these fighters. I have fought a lot of top fighters in the amateurs and I feel like that experience is just as important. I feel good. I am happy to be fighting these top fighters right away.”

Question: “What is the biggest difference in the amateurs and the pros?”

Akhmadaliev: “I think the main difference is the number of rounds, the length of the fight, so the conditioning needs to be at a different level. We have been working on that a lot with my team and my trainers, Joel Diaz and Antonio Diaz. I have done a lot of sparring with Diego de la Hoya and JoJo Diaz. I have done a lot of work and I feel like I am ready, 100%. For me this is just a step forward.”

Question: “Were there any fighters that you idolized growing up that you try to pattern yourself after?”

Akhmadaliev: “Roy Jones Jr., Manny Pacquiao, Vasyl Lomachenko and GGG.”

Vadim Kornilov: “He has a lot of things that he takes from those fighters. You guys will see in the ring. A lot of people like where they are but not a lot of people are able to do what they do but M.J. does certain things in the ring that are taken from each of those fighters. He really enjoys performing. It is hard to describe but I think the best thing is to watch the co-main event on HBO and M.J. Akhmadaliev. People are going to see some of these things that are very interesting. He has a lot of combinations and a lot of punches that he uses that are very exciting. He takes the best from all these guys.”

Question: “Did you know all along that you were going to become a pro someday?”

Akhmadaliev: “Of course. It is my dream to become a pro. Right now, my career, is a dream come true. Those fighters that I watched, I wanted to be like them one day. I am taking steps forward to get to that level. My plan is for one day I will be like one of them.”

Question: “They say some amateurs have a style that is more suited for the pros. Is that the case with you?”

Akhmadaliev: “My style was already professional even when I was an amateur. But now I am doing a lot of work with my team, my trainers, to become more of a fitted pro. We are doing a lot of work on that. You will see in the ring on Saturday.”

Question: “What can the fans expect when they tune in on Saturday?”

Akhmadaliev: “I will perform at my best and it will be a very exciting fight. I can guarantee that. (laughs) It will be another ‘Big Drama Show.'”

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City

Dmitry Bivol vs. Jean Pascal Media Conference Call Recap

KATHY DUVA, President and CEO, Main Events:
“Good morning and good afternoon everyone. Main Events could not be happier to be coming back to the Etess Arena at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City. Our first event in August was a sellout. It proved to us what we already knew: there is still a big appetite for boxing in Atlantic City.

With our second card at the Etess Arena we expect to build on our momentum by bringing Dmitry Bivol back to be in the main event this time on November 24 against one of our division’s most admired champions, Jean Pascal.

Dmitry Bivol is going to risk his perfect record against a tested tough opponent. Dmitry has made no secret about wanting to unify titles in the light heavyweight division. But the other titleholders for some reason just don’t seem to be ready for him right now.

Jean Pascal is always ready. He never turns down an opportunity. He is a warrior. He has fought for three world titles, and he’d like to take Dmitry’s title back home to Canada and confirmed his status as a Hall of Fame fighter when his career is finished. It would make a pretty nice Christmas present for him.

Neither man is taking the other lightly of course. It’s a dangerous fight with a lot at stake. This is the way we like to cook things up at Main Events!

In addition to our fighters, you will also hear from Vadim Kornilov, the manager of Dmitry Bivol; and Greg Leon, CEO of Jean Pascal Promotions.And we are delighted to have Tim Louie with us. He is the Public Relations Manager for the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City.

Why don’t we begin with Vadim today – can you make some opening remarks?

VADIM KORNILOV, Manager, Dmitry Bivol:
Thank you, Kathy. Pleasure to be back at the Hard Rock. It’s great to have another show with Dmitry Bivol on HBO. Now that he’s the main event, it’s something kind of like a dream come true for him. He’s talked about this for a long time He was hoping to be a main event at one point, and he’s got this shot on this last HBO World Championship Boxing event. Thank you all of the Main Events team and World of Boxing team working great together putting this main event together on November 24th.

KATHY DUVA:
Thank you, Vadim, it’s always a pleasure working with you.

Former light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal has won titles and lost titles. But he has never lost anyone’s respect. He has faced every dangerous name in the division for a decade. Carl Froch. Bernard Hopkins. Kovalev. And now, Dmitry. Jean’s farewell tour is making a stop in Atlantic City. He doesn’t want it to be his last stop. We are glad to welcome him to this card and the main event.
Greg, why don’t you talk to us, give us your perspective on the fight, and introduce Jean?

GREG LEON, CEO, Jean Pascal Promotions:
Thank you, Kathy. I’d like to thank World of Boxing and Main Events for making this a very easy deal to finalize. I’d like to thank to the Hard Rock for hosting the event, HBO for broadcasting the event in its final World Championship Boxing. This is a sensational event. Like Vadim said, Bivol was looking to fight on a main event. Jean’s been looking to fight for a world title on his farewell tour. But like Kathy said, the farewell tour does not end in Atlantic City. That’s just the next stop. Both of these guys come to fight. They don’t shy away from challenges. We’re expecting nothing but action on November 24th.

Personally, it’s an honor to represent somebody like Jean, who as Kathy articulated, is a true warrior, doesn’t shy away from challenges, fights the best of the best. For this fight, our mission is to use it as a lens into how much boxing means to HBO. The nucleus of Jean Pascal’s aspirations consists of making history and punching his ticket to the Hall of Fame. So this event will be nothing short of sensational. Our hope is that this sensation will cross-pollinate through HBO’s offices in a way that allows them to re-contextualize their place in the world of boxing around them. This is the heart of what we strive to do. Without further ado, the former WBC and world light heavyweight champion and next WBA light heavyweight champion. Jean?

JEAN PASCAL:
Thank you very much. Hi everybody, I’m very pleased that you’re here. Pascal is back in action. I’ll be fighting on HBO on November 24th. I’m very happy. I want to thank Main Events; also I want to thank Dmitry Bivol and his people for this opportunity to show I’m an elite fighter. I know it’s OK, they think they can beat me. But like I said, It’s OK, it’s part of the sport. I’ve been training very hard for this opportunity. It’s showtime, it’s time to show up.

KATHY DUVA:
Thank you, Jean and thank you, Greg. I want to take a moment for the last time and thank HBO. This is going to be a very difficult event for us in a lot of ways. I hope Greg is right, I hope Jean and Dmitry can somehow, jolt them into reconsidering.

The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City has only been open for a few months. But as we all know, it has already established itself as Atlantic City’s go-to destination on the legendary Atlantic City Boardwalk.

There are all the features that made the Hard Rock Hotel name famous including world class rooms, casino, lounges, restaurants, shopping, and service. What’s special to us about the Hard Rock Hotel Atlantic City is the Etess Arena, named after a dear friend of ours who passed away too soon. It’s always been one of the best venues to see boxing in the United States. Thanks to the Hard Rock it’s expanded and even better than before.

Let me bring in Tim Louie with the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and he can to tell you a little more about this amazing fight venue.

TIM LOUIE, Public Relations Manager, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City:
We’re so excited to have boxing back here. This past August was so amazing for me to see, because I’m so new to the business. The arena fits about 7,000 people and it’s so exciting just to even boxing back in Atlantic City. Kathy, you and your team have been amazing to work with. I don’t expect anything to be different next Saturday.

KATHY DUVA:
Thank you, Tim, Nice to hear that. You guys are a pleasure to work with, too.

QUESTION:
Jean, you’re obviously viewed as the underdog in this fight. How much motivation has that provided for you, and how are you looking at this going into the fight?

JEAN PASCAL:
This is the story of my life, to be the underdog. I was the underdog when I faced Chad Dawson. At the time he was considered as the best pound for pound in the world. I was the underdog, fourth in the world and I won the fight. To me, maybe it’s a motivation. I know what to do, I know what I’m capable to do. I have a lot of experience, been there done that. I’m going to do my best to win this fight.

QUESTION:
What did you think of Bivol’s performance against Isaac Chilemba?

JEAN PASCAL:
Honestly, I think he did good. Chilemba used to be my sparring partner. It’s hard to look good against a guy like him. He’s very awkward. In this situation, I think Bivol showed his skill and he did pretty good against an elite fighter.

QUESTION:
Jean, you always come to fight, and make for good television in your career. How do you expect this fight will unfold differently, especially from the viewer’s perspective?

JEAN PASCAL:
It won’t be different, I’m going to be there to fight. I like to fight, I’m the underdog. I know Bivol likes to fight as well; he’s young, hungry. He cannot exactly remember me when I was champion. I was a pretty boy, lot of stamina, young, sexy, with a lot of power. I know that it is entertaining for him right now. I have something on my side, experience. That’s something you can’t buy, you cannot buy.

QUESTION:
Jean, do you think he’s overlooking you?

JEAN PASCAL:
Honestly, I think he’s got no bets, because I’m not in his mind. But like I said, I know Bivol will do very well. I know him as well. If he overlooks me, that would be a big mistake. But I know he has a strong team, he’s a young but I know he’s a smart fighter and a smart guy too. So I don’t think he takes me lightly.

QUESTION:
Greg, what would a win over Dmitry Bivol do for Jean’s career?

GREG LEON:
First of all, I think this win would put in in the Hall of Fame without any question. Right now, Jean is looked at as a guy has a hell of a resume, has fought the best of the best. For the harshest of critics, he might have lost too many big fights to be a lock. Jean’s fight would cement his legacy and his status as a Hall of Famer. A victory on November 24th would certainly do that. As far as what would be next, what’s next right now is November 24th. Obvious, if Jean he wins the title, he becomes the cash cow of the division. All of the other champions reside in Canada. By his own admission, Stevenson by his own choice hasn’t been making fights the public has been demanding. Jean is a star in Canada. With the belt around his waist, he becomes the guy of the division.

There’s also history too, Correct me if I’m wrong, Jean first because champion in 2009. I don’t think nine and a half years have passed from one title reign to the other in the history of the division.

KATHY DUVA:
Let’s move on with the most exciting young titleholder in the light heavyweight division. He’s featured in RING Magazine this month.
He is the undefeated WBA Light Heavyweight Champion. And he really wants to unify the division. From St. Petersburg, Russia — training now in Los Angeles, Dmitry Bivol. Dmitry, tell us about your view of this matchup.

DMITRY BIVOL:
I appreciate the introduction, Kathy.I respect Pascal because he took this fight. I hope we will show a good fight and action in the ring. I will do my best to make a good fight.

QUESTION:
For Kathy, for you is it a goal to turn Bivol into a big draw in the New York and New Jersey area?

KATHY DUVA:
That’s more of a question for Vadim in his capacity with World of Boxing. World of Boxing is our partner in this promotion. We’ve had a great run with Sergey Kovalev in Atlantic City, going up to the big sellout in August, and over a million dollar gate with Bernard Hopkins. He’s Russian, Dmitry’s Russian. It seems logical a charismatic young star like Dmitry, given a little time to develop, can develop a fan following there if that’s what World of Boxing wants him to do. We’d be happy to help them.

Sergey took three bouts, three appearances there to make it to that sold out arena. It does take time, it doesn’t happen overnight. This is a big step in my view in Dmitry’s career stepping up to the main event for the first time. Nobody ever became a star on the undercard. This is the beginning of a journey. We’re always happy to be going back to our home in Atlantic City.

QUESTION:
Dmitry, your last two fights were in the co-main event. Now that you’re in the main event on HBO, how does it feel to get the chance to be a headliner?

DMITRY BIVOL:
Of course I’m glad. It means I’m going the right way in my career. I’m glad that HBO and Kathy Duva and World of Boxing are giving me this opportunity to fight in the main event. It’s a big responsibility for me.

QUESTION:
Do you feel more pressure to go out and deliver a performance that tells people you are the best light heavyweight in the world?

DMITRY BIVOL:
You know, when I go into the ring, every time I feel that I should show all my skills, all my best. I should show to people all my best skills. It doesn’t matter now or my first fight. Every time, I feel the responsibility. I just want people to believe and I want to prove to everybody I’m the best in the division. These are the steps I want to take. There’s always responsibility I take on.

QUESTION:
Jean, you’re coming off back-to-back stoppage wins for the first time in a decade. How do you feel physically at 36 years old? How do you assess your own strength?

JEAN PASCAL:
Right now, I don’t know if I’m stronger than before, but I feel very strong. Of course I got two knockouts in my last fights. But I know they weren’t elite fighters like Dmitry Bivol. So I know I’m going to have to pick up my game but I’m ready for that. Been there, done that. It’s his first main event. Like I said, for me been there done that. I know what I have to do. I’m ready for this fight. I’m looking for this fight to be a great fight.

The fight is going to be in Atlantic City. Remember, we have a Canadian story in Atlantic City. Arturo Gatti is from my hometown and he used to fight over there. He moved when he was younger to fight. He became a legend. At the same time, I’m going to try to honor his spirit over there and win one more title.

QUESTION:
Dmitry, what do you know about Jean Pascal, and the main reason you respect him?

DMITRY BIVOL:
I saw his many fights when I was an amateur. His fight against Bernard Hopkins, fight against many other people. I know he is good in counter attack. He’s strong; he’s a really tough guy. He is a good fighter and I respect him. But when I go to the ring, he will be my enemy.

QUESTION:
Dmitry, Jean Pascal’s manager talks about how he wants to get to the Hall of Fame and be a champion once again. Are you really letting him use you as a stepping-stone?

DMITRY BIVOL:
I think the opportunity is already given in this fight being made. It excites me very much to know he’s so motivated and he has such big goals for this fight. I’m also not coming to the fight to give up my title, and I going to do everything to defend the title. Every one of us has a big goal, and it will make this fight really great.

QUESTION:
So that’s a polite way of saying no?

DMITRY BIVOL:
That’s a polite way to say I will fight for my title until the end and I will not give it up.

QUESTION:
What make you thinks you’re ready to get in the ring with a young lion like Dmitry Bivol?

JEAN PASCAL:
it’s because I’ve got my confidence back. When I fought Eleider Alvarez, I didn’t have my confidence back it was a hard fight for me. Even thought I did good it was a majority decision for him. It wasn’t a walk in the park for Alvarez. In any losses that I had, I always did good, except my second fight with Kovalev. I know I’m a tough challenge. I know I’m a good man to be on the resume. That’s why they picked me.

Honestly, like I said, I have a lot of respect for Dmitry Bivol. He’s a young lion. He thinks that has all the talent in the world like I thought when I was his age. Something he cannot have, he cannot buy, it’s experience. I have way more experience than him, even though he has a lot of amateur fights. I went to the Olympics in 2004 in Greece. I was a world-class amateur fighter also. But I have way more experience than him as a professional boxer. That will lead to a great fight at the Hard Rock Casino. People, tune in at 10 p.m. November 24, because it’s a must watch fight.

QUESTION:
Dmitry, you were in “2 Days” with HBO, the documentary. It looked like a lot of fun, we saw you with your family. That was really the last of its kind for HBO. For you to be featured in that way, how was it?

DMITRY BIVOL:
It was very exciting. I wasn’t used to having a camera around two days before the fight for that much time. It was a new experience. What was interesting, a lot of people got to know me more on the other side of boxing which was very exciting. I want more people to know more about me and understand what kind of person I am.

QUESTION:
What was it like to watch Sergey Kovalev lose? What was it like for you for him not to be the victor that night?

DMITRY BIVOL:
It was a little unfortunate. We know each other and we have common friends. We’ve talked before. It’s not pleasant to see someone you know, an acquaintance, go down like that. I thought he was going to win the fight. We also had some plans about possibly fighting next. A lot of that kind of fell apart. It was a little disappointing.

QUESTION:
Any predictions on how this fight is going to end on November 24th?

DMITRY BIVOL:
I don’t make predictions. it’s very difficult. I will do everything I can to make sure this fight is exciting and it’s over in an exciting fashion.

QUESTION:
A fan question for Jean. Your Canadian fans have given you so much support over the years. How would you describe your relationship with your Canadian fans?

JEAN PASCAL:
My relationship with my fans back home in Canada is very, very great. I feel very, very lucky to have that kind of relationship with my fans because they support me a lot. There are not a lot of boxers in the United States who have a big fan base like I do. I’m very very fortunate. This is why I always take time to please my fans, to talk to them, to talk pictures with them. I’m here because of them as well.

QUESTION: A fan question for Dmitry. How do you see yourself improving you skills?

DMITRY BIVOL: There is never a limit to improvement. I would say that, speed is probably one thing that is with you and is hard to really change. But other things, other skills are definitely something you can improve. Especially agility, and with the distance of the fight being 12 rounds, you can improve on your conditioning. You can improve on your levels of fighting inside and outside, different combinations. There’s always something to add to your game.

QUESTION:
Jean, you retired and quickly came back. You’ve had a great career What can you take from your career into the Bivol fight?

JEAN PASCAL:
I’m going to take my experience. I’ve been there, done that so many times. I know what to do. So I’m going to carry with me in the ring all my experience I got with me from all these big fights: Kovalev, Froch, Hopkins, Dawson. I’m going to take those fights into the ring with me to show him what is the best in the boxing sport.

QUESTION:
Jean, is training camp any different knowing it is your last title shot?

JEAN PASCAL:
During training camp, it was a little bit different. The motivation was a little bit more there. I’ve got the eye of the tiger once again. I think that’s what was lacking from my last few fights, when I fought Kovalev and maybe Hopkins. I got my confidence back that you notice I didn’t have when I fought Kovalev. Right now, everything is in one piece. I’m very confident, very happy, very pleased to be back on HBO. I was the first Canadian boxer who fought in Canada on HBO, and I’m going to be the last Canadian to fight on HBO. So I’m making history once again. So I’m very, very happy.

QUESTION:
Dmitry, come November 24th and you take care of business with Pascal, do you still want the winner of Kovalev and Alvarez 2?

DMITRY BIVOL: As I always say, right now I’m focused on the fight with Jean Pascal on November 24th. I want to fight the best after that, if everything goes well. Whoever is wanting to fight, I want to unify titles and become the undisputed champion.

QUESTION:
Another fan question for Jean, you’ve talked about your experience. How might it give you an advantage against a younger fighter like Bivol?

JEAN PASCAL:
Honestly, if this is something you want to see, I urge you to tune in to HBO on November 24th at 10 p.m., and I will show you everything.

QUESTION:
A fan question for Dmitry, this is your first main event. Now that you have achieved this goal, how does it feel to you?

DMITRY BIVOL:
Of course, I’m very happy that such a legendary channel gave me this final chance to fight on the main event. To me, it just means I’m on the right way, on the right path in my career. I appreciate this opportunity, and I want to take everything I can from it. I want everybody to watch this fight, and I will make sure this fight is very memorable.

KATHY DUVA:
I want to thank Dmitry and Jean, thanks Vadim and Greg. Thank you also Tim Louie for welcoming us back to Atlantic City.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Jean and with Dmitry now on more than one occasion. I’ve gotten to know both of them a little bit. One thing I can promise everybody, they will give 1000 percent and they will entertain. It will be worth watching and certainly worth coming out to Atlantic City.

We hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving celebration with family and friends. Although those of us who work for Main Events, we’ve spent our last three Thanksgivings together working.

When you get tired of the leftovers, join us for a fresh serving of World Championship Boxing on Saturday night live at the Etess Arena and live on HBO Boxing.

ANNOUNCER:
Bivol vs. Pascal is a 12 round fight for Dmitry Bivol’s WBA Light Heavyweight World Title taking place on Saturday, November 24, 2018 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, NJ.

The co-main event is a WBA Intercontinental Super Bantamweight title fight between Murodjon Akhmadaliev and Isaac Zarate. The event is promoted by Main Events and World of Boxing, and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. Tickets range between 30 dollars and 150 dollars, and are on sale now through HardRockHotelAtlanticCity.com and Ticketmaster.com.

A transcript of this conference call will be made available to the boxing media. Thank you for joining us today and we hope to see you at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City on November 24, or tuning in to watch on HBO’s World Championship Boxing.”

About Bivol-Pascal: Bivol vs. Pascal is a 12 round fight for Bivol’s WBA Light Heavyweight World Title taking place on Saturday, November 24, 2018 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, NJ. The co-main event is a WBA Intercontinental Super Bantamweight title fight between Murodjon Akhmadaliev and Isaac Zarate. The event is promoted by Main Events and World of Boxing, and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. Tickets range between $30 and $150 and are on sale now through HardRockHotelAtlanticCity.com and Ticketmaster.com.

Reminder to news media: The deadline to apply for Fight Week credentials is Friday, November 16. Fill out the credential application at http://www.emcevents.com/

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ISRAIL ‘THE DREAM” MADRIMOV SIGNS WITH WORLD OF BOXING

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (November 9, 2018) — World of Boxing announced today the signing of international amateur standout ISRAIL “The Dream” MADRIMOV to an exclusive promotional agreement. Madrimov is scheduled to make his professional debut in a 10-round super welterweight bout, Saturday, November 24, on the undercard of the Dmitry Bivol – Jean Pascal WBA light heavyweight world championship fight. Bivol vs. Pascal and the Murodjon “MJ” Akhmadaliev – Isaac Zarate WBA Intercontinental super bantamweight title fight will be televised live on the final edition of HBO World Championship Boxing from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Vladimir Atlantic City beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. Madrimov’s opponent will be Vladimir Hernandez (10-2, 7 KOs), of Denver. Hernandez is looking to extend his two-year winning streak, which includes consecutive victories over the previously undefeated prospect Danny Valdivia.

“I am so excited to be making my professional debut on the same card as my World of Boxing compatriots Dmitry Bivol and Murodjon Akhmadaliev,” said Madrimov. “I am grateful to my manager Vadim Kornilov, Andrey Ryabinsky, and the World of Boxing team who have been so great to me and given me this great event to make my professional debut. I would also like to thank my coach Tulkin Kilichev for making me the fighter I have become. Their belief in me means more than anything. I am ready to show the fans that I am ready for anyone and anything in the ring. I am hungry for challenges and for a world title shot.”

“Madrimov is an outstanding amateur with a very good professional style. I think he was a born to be professional fighter,” said Andrei Ryabinskiy of World of Boxing.

“We are very happy to add Israil Madrimov to our team! He is really something special and we look forward to featuring him on the Bivol vs Pascal show,” added Vadim Kornilov,Madrimov’s manager.

Madrimov, 23, a native of Uzbekistan, has concluded a decorated amateur career. Named the best boxer of the World Series of Boxing in 2017, he has also earned gold medals at the 2018 Asian Olympic Games and the 2017 Asian games and silver medals at the 2011 World Amateur Championships, the 2013 Asian and 2014 Asian Olympic games. Now based in southern California, Madrimov is training under the guidance of his Dream team comprised of Tulkin Kilichev, Joel Diaz and Tony Diaz.

*********************

Promoted by Main Events and World of Boxing, remaining tickets to the Bivol – Pascal world championship event are priced from $35 to $150, plus fees. They can be purchased throughwww.HardRockHotelAtlanticCity.com and www.Ticketmaster.com.

Reminder to news media: The deadline to apply for Fight Week credentials is Friday, November 16. Fill out the credential application at http://www.emcevents.com/

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Dmitry Bivol Hosts Los Angeles Media Workout Ahead of Title Defense Against Jean Pascal on Nov. 24

Santa Monica, Calif.) – WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol (14-0, 11 KOs) of Russia hosted a media workout at Churchill Boxing in Santa Monica, California on Tuesday, November 6 in preparation for his title defense against light heavyweight contender Jean Pascal (25-5-2, 10 KOs) of Montreal, Canada. Bivol and Pascal will fight in the main event at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on Saturday, November 24. The card featuring Bivol vs. Pascal will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Dmitry Bivol Quotes

About his opponent, Jean Pascal: “I saw his fights against (Sergey) Kovalev, and against Bernard Hopkins. He was different than he is now. I just want to win and make this defense.”

“Of course I respect him as a boxer, but when I go in the ring, he will be my enemy.”

A message for Pascal: “Thank you for taking this fight. I respect you, you’ve had a great career. Don’t forget about training, we need to make a great fight for the fans who are buying tickets.”

How Bivol sees the fight: “If I think I can get a knockout, of course I will do this. People want to see knockouts.”

On his growing recognition by fans: “After fights on HBO, I feel I’m becoming more popular. People know me. When I walk the streets in Russia, people know me. When I go into some shops in L-A, people know me. I like it. That means people like my fights.”

His goals as a fighter: “I want to fight the best, and do it for the people, for the boxing fans. I want to fight against the best, because I am next to the best (now), and I want to be the best.”

“When I come to the ring, I don’t think about my win. I think about making a great fight, a good fight so that people will be excited about my fights.”

“When I was young, of course I had a dream to be a champion. But now, it’s not enough for me. Now I want to realize my ability, and I want to show all my qualities to as many people as I can.”

Dmitry Bivol speaks with media at Churchill Boxing Tuesday.
Photo: Craig Bennett/Main Events

On scoring knockouts: “The most important knockout punch is not the hardest punch. It is the punch no one sees coming. It is the element of surprise.”

On his upcoming fights: “Our team is open for everyone. I have a good promoter, I have a good manager. I hope they find for me a good way. I’m open for everyone, for every channel.”

“I don’t like to predict the future. I am open for all fighters, for all the best fighters. I want to make big fights for people, because now all the champions in our division are busy. Me too. We will see.”

Message for fans about November 24: “Don’t miss my fight, because I’m going to make something great in the ring and I hope you will be glad to see it.”

On staying at light heavyweight: “Light heavyweight is my weight. But for a big fight, I can move down to super middleweight. And maybe in the future, I can move up. But it’s too much for me now, because I’m not a big guy.”

Vadim Kornilov Quotes

On the Pascal fight: “At the end of the day, Dmitry still has a tough test (against Pascal). He hasn’t had 20 fights. He’s fighting these guys with over 30, 40 fights. It’s still a big, big thing for him to experience and to be a main event fighter.”

On Bivol’s future: “Next year we are talking about unification. We don’t want to run ahead of ourselves, but if everything goes well in this fight.Pascal is a live dog, he’s a real fighter. We have all the respect for him.”

“He’s excited about unification. Wherever we can get the biggest fight, biggest unification, it doesn’t matter about the network. Dmitry wants anyone at 175. He’s been wanting this for the last year.”

On Bivol’s greatest strength as a boxer? “Bivol’s IQ in the ring. IQ is very important for any fighter, and Dmitry is one of the most intelligent fighters, that’s very important.”

This event is promoted by Main Events and World of Boxing. The bout will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

About Bivol-Pascal: Bivol vs. Pascal is a 12-round fight for Bivol’s WBA Light Heavyweight World Title taking place on Saturday, November 24, 2018 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, NJ. The co-main event is a WBA Intercontinental Super Bantamweight title fight between Murodjon Akhamadaliev and Isaac Zarate. The event is promoted by Main Events and World of Boxing, and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. Tickets range between $30 and $150 and are on sale now through HardRockHotelAtlanticCity.com and Ticketmaster.com.

Reminder to news media: The deadline to apply for Fight Week credentials is Friday, November 16. Fill out the credential application at http://www.emcevents.com/

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City

Murodjon Akhmadaliev vs. Isaac Zarate Named as Co-Main Event on Bivol vs. Pascal Card Nov. 24

Atlantic City, NJ) – Murodjon Akhmadaliev (4-0, 3 KOs), age 24, a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist and accomplished amateur originally from Uzbekistan, will make his American television debut in the co-main event of the HBO World Championship Boxing show featuring Dmitry Bivol vs. Jean Pascal fighting for the WBA World Light Heavyweight title at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City on Saturday, November 24.

Akhmadaliev will face Isaac Zarate of San Pedro, California, (16-3-3, 2 KOs) in a 10-round fight with the WBA Intercontinental Super Bantamweight title at stake. Zarate, age 27, is hot off his upset split decision victory over Horatio Garcia in September.

The bout will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Akhmadaliev lives in Brooklyn, New York, and trains in Indio, California with Joel and Antonio Diaz. “It’s been my dream to fight on HBO where Roy Jones, Manny Pacquiao, and many other great fighters have fought. I can’t believe that I’ll have this opportunity,” said Akhmadaliev. “I’m grateful to my promoter World of Boxing, to Dmitry Bivol for this chance, and of course HBO.

“Don’t miss my fight. I’ll bring the New Drama Show on HBO on November 24th,” promised Akhmadaliev.

“We are very excited that Akhmadaliev will be featured with Dmitry Bivol’s HBO appearance,” said Vadim Kornilov, Akhmadaliev’s manager. “This should be an exciting night of boxing. Akhmadaliev really knows how to get the fans out of their seats. I promise you’ll be sorry if you miss this debut on November 24th.”

As an amateur, Akhmadaliev won the 2012 and 2015 World Championship Silver Medal. In the 2015 final, he knocked down Michael “Mick” Conlan of Ireland, but lost the gold in a controversial decision. He won a Bronze Medal at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, and closed his amateur career as a 2017 Asian Games Gold Medalist. His amateur record stands at 300 wins with 80 knockouts, against just 15 losses.

After turning professional in 2018 and signing with Andrey Ryabinsky and World of Boxing, Akhmadaliev has now fought four times, with three knockout wins and one decision. A southpaw with power in both hands, it won’t take long for American boxing fans to discover “MJ’s” fan friendly, aggressive style, which should suit him well in the professional ranks and quickly make him a star.

“Every time MJ steps in the ring it is a spectacular show,” said Kornilov, who co-manages Akhmadaliev with Oleg Frolov. “His favorite fighters are Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin and Vasyl Lomachenko, exceptional role models. He wants to become undisputed champion and a major star in his division in the first three years of his career. He is one to watch.”

About Bivol-Pascal: Bivol vs. Pascal is a 12 round fight for Bivol’s WBA Light Heavyweight World Title on Saturday, November 24, 2018 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, NJ. The event is promoted by Main Events and World of Boxing, and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. Tickets range between $50 and $200 and are on sale now through HardRockHotelAtlanticCity.com and Ticketmaster.com.

Reminder to news media: The deadline to apply for Fight Week credentials is Friday, November 16. Fill out the credential application at http://www.emcevents.com/

Bivol vs. Pascal Tickets Go On Sale Friday, October 26

(Atlantic City, NJ) – Tickets goes on sale to the public on Friday, October 26, at 10 a.m. ET for the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City’s next boxing card featuring Dmitry Bivol defending his WBA Light Heavyweight World Title against former Olympian and former WBC, IBO, and Ring Magazine champion Jean Pascal.

The event takes place on Saturday, November 24, 2018 as HBO World Championship boxing returns to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s Etess Arena in Atlantic City. Bivol fights in his first main event in the United States, and Pascal fights for the first time ever in Atlantic City. This will be the second boxing event at the recently opened Hard Rock Atlantic City. The first event featured the WBO Light Heavyweight Championship battle between Sergey Kovalev and Eleider Alvarez in front of a sold out crowd.

Tickets, priced from $30 to $150, will go on sale Friday through HardRockHotelAtlanticCity.com and Ticketmaster.com.

Bivol, age 27, of St. Petersburg Russia, risks his perfect record of 14 wins with no losses and 11 knockouts against the time-tested Pascal, who turns 36 on October 28, has 33 wins, 20 by knockout, against five losses and a draw.

Bivol is coming off a dominating 12-round decision victory over crafty Isaac Chilemba of Malawi on August 4. Pascal is fresh from an eighth round TKO over former UFC champion Steve Bosse at Place Bell in Laval, Quebec on July 20.

The event is promoted by Main Events and World of Boxing in association with Jean Pascal Promotions. The bout will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

About Bivol-Pascal: Bivol vs. Pascal is a 12-round fight for Bivol’s WBA Light Heavyweight World Title on Saturday, November 24, 2018 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, NJ. The event is promoted by Main Events and World of Boxing in association with Jean Pascal Promotions, and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. Tickets range between $30 and $150 and go on sale Friday through HardRockHotelAtlanticCity.com and Ticketmaster.com.

The deadline to apply for Fight Week credentials is Friday, November 16. Fill out the credential application at: http://www.emcevents.com/bivol_pascal

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City

Set on 17 acres, with the legendary Atlantic City Boardwalk as its backdrop, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City is Atlantic City’s go-to entertainment destination, boasting 2,200 slots, 120 table games, more than 20 first-class restaurants and lounges, and world-class entertainment, including Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena, the beachside Sound Waves and Howie Mandel’s Comedy Club. The hotel and casino also features the iconic Hard Rock Cafe, overlooking the Atlantic City Boardwalk, showcasing a brand new elevated menu and state-of-the-art stage, allowing for an amplified level of service and entertainment. Along with an endless array of upscale amenities, including world-class shopping and the brand’s signature full-service Rock Spa and Salon, featuring 31 treatment rooms, the new, music-inspired property offers lavish guest rooms and suites, with stunning views of the city and Atlantic Ocean. From family vacations and business trips to weddings, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City offers an unparalleled experience. Each of the hotel’s guest rooms and suites radiates a contemporary style, including Hard Rock’s signature The Sound of Your Stay® music amenity program, which allows guests to set the mood with complimentary vinyl records or jam out on a Fender guitar in the privacy of their own room. Hotel guests can enjoy high speed, property-wide Wi-Fi, 24-Hour In-Room Dining, towel and chair service at Hard Rock Beach or at the indoor pool, and 24-Hour Access to Body Rock fitness. For more information and to book your stay, please visit hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com.

Dmitry Bivol To Defend WBA Title Against Hard-Hitting Jean Pascal at the Etess Arena at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City

(Atlantic City, NJ) – Dmitry Bivol will defend his WBA Light Heavyweight World Title against former Olympian and former WBC, IBO, and Ring Magazine champion Jean Pascal on Saturday, November 24, 2018 as boxing returns to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.

The event will be promoted by Main Events and World of Boxing, Bivol’s promoter, in association with Jean Pascal Promotions. The bout will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

After storming through the amateur ranks, Bivol has quickly moved himself into position to take over the highly competitive light heavyweight division by facing top names and defeating them, one after the other. Bivol is open about his ambitious goals to fight all of the best opponents in the division, and to deliver entertaining fights in front of large audiences.

Bivol’s ultimate goal to unify the light heavyweight division: “It’s very important for me. It’s every boxer’s dream to be the champion, the unified champion. It’s a big step to dream about. Like (unified cruiserweight champion) Oleksandr Usyk.”

Jean Pascal
Photo Credit: David Spagnolo/Main Events

Although he has a humble nature, Bivol is sure about his abilities. “Not too long ago, Pascal fought for three world titles and I watched on TV. Now he wants to take my title away, and I am very happy to accept this challenge and look forward to my next title defense on HBO.”

Vadim Kornilov, Bivol’s manager, added, “We are looking forward to another great performance by Dmitry Bivol on November 24th. Jean Pascal is a name everyone has heard, and we look forward to a competitive fight with this great champion.”

Andrei Ryabinski of World of Boxing, Bivol’s promoter, said, “We are glad to be putting together another fight for Dmitry Bivol together with HBO, Main Events and the Hard Rock. Look forward to a great fight between Dmitry Bivol and Jean Pascal!”

“This is the most important fight of my life and I could not be more motivated,” said Pascal. “I’m making boxing history on November 24th. I’m known as a champion who never turned down any challenges, but I want to be two-time champion and I want to be immortalized in the Hall of Fame when my career is over. To fully cement my status as a hall of famer, I must win this fight and I will win this fight.

“Bivol is a very good fighter and a difficult challenge, but greatness has never been achieved without overcoming difficult challenges. My Canadian fans should be very excited because all of the light heavyweight belts will be in our house for Christmas this year,” promised Pascal.

Manager Greg Leon is equally confident. “In my opinion Bivol is the best light heavyweight champion in the world, so this is an extremely difficult challenge for us. However, Jean is fighting for the hall of fame, history and legacy. That coupled with the intangibles he possesses that cannot be taught make him the most dangerous fighter Bivol has ever faced by far.

“November 24th will provide Bivol with a couple of new experiences; he’ll be fighting in his first major main event and he’ll be suffering his first loss as a professional,” said Leon.

Main Events CEO Kathy Duva said, “Main Events could not be more excited to return to Atlantic City for our second card at the Hard Rock’s Etess Arena. Our first card there on August 4 was a sellout, and we expect to build on that momentum by bringing Dmitry back to be in the main event on November 24.”

“Following up on the success of last August’s fight between Alvarez and Kovalev, this will just be another step forward in Atlantic City’s return to professional boxing,” says Bernie Dillon, Vice President of Entertainment for Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, “I’m thrilled that Hard Rock can be a big part of that.”

About Bivol-Pascal: Dmitry Bivol vs. Jean Pascal is a 12-round fight for Bivol’s WBA Light Heavyweight World Title on Saturday, November 24, 2018 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. The event is promoted by Main Events and World of Boxing in association with Jean Pascal Promotions and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. Tickets range between $30.00 and $150.00 and go on sale Friday, October 26 through HardRockHotelAtlanticCity.com and Ticketmaster.com.

The deadline to apply for Fight Week credentials is Friday, November 16. Fill out the credential application at: http://www.emcevents.com/bivol_pascal

JEAN PASCAL TO FACE GARY KOPAS IN ‘‘THE MATCH!’’ November 9 in Sydney, Nova Scotia

SIDNEY, Nova Scotia (September 25, 2018) — Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) has reached an agreement with MG Ring Productions last Friday to hold a fight between former WBC and The Ring light heavyweight world champion Jean Pascal (33- 5-1, 20 KOs) and Canadian cruiserweight champion Gary Kopas (10-11-2, 5 KOs). The 12-round cruiserweight (200 lbs) fight will be held November 9 in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.
It will be a second consecutive cruiserweight fight for Pascal, the Laval, Quebec fighter, and this time he will try to get his hands on the CPBC Canadian cruiserweight belt.

APOLLO (PASCAL) vs ROCKY (KOPAS)

The Jean Pascal vs Gary Kopas fight is like a real-life remake of the original Rocky movie. In one corner there is a blue-collar road warrior, Kopas, who has fought in everybody’s hometown and not always given a fair shake, yet, he still pulled himself up to be the CPBC Canadian cruiserweight champion.

Now, he’s been given the opportunity of a lifetime to fight one of Canada’s best and most notable fighters of his generation, Pascal. In the other corner is the former undisputed lineal WBC and The Ring Magazine light heavyweight champion, Pascal, who has fought some of the all-time bests.

This fight gives a local blue collar worker a chance to prove his worth in a battle called: ‘‘The Match!’’

The President of MG Ring Productions, George Reynolds, and the President of Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM), Yvon Michel, negotiated for a little more than a month to come to an agreement. GYM represented Jean Pascal and his advisor, Greg Leon, for this fight.
The clash, entitled “The Match of The Year”, will be featured on pay-per-view in Canada. A press conference will be held soon to reveal more details.

“Kopas has not lost in a few years and I will not take him lightly,” Pascal said. “I know he will come to surprise the world and try to ruin my career, but everyone who knows me knows that his career will end on November 9.”

‘‘My last fight was a bout in my hometown (Saskatoon) against a guy from Mexico,” Kopas noted. “Besides that, I’ve been staying in the gym, learning new skills and enjoying life. When I first heard I was fighting Jean, I was shocked… happy, but shocked. Getting the opportunity to make history and show the world the best me is an insane feeling.

“This is a huge fight for me. Pascal has done great things and I’m really looking forward to showing my best against a former world champion. This fight will change my life, but I want Pascal to understand that his life is going to change too, after his defeat. I hope he stands toe-to-toe with me like he did his last fight. He will not last long.

‘‘I want to thank all my family, friends, and fans for all the crazy support already and thank my management, MG Ring Productions, for this opportunity. It’s going to be a hard eight weeks of intense training, but knowing I have the support of such awesome people really helps.’’

“Jean Pascal is a man of challenges and when he realized the seriousness of Kopas and his organization, he decided as usual to take it,” Michel commented.

“At this point in my career,” Pascal added, “it’s very important for me to stay active. We had other plans that, unfortunately, fell at the last minute but, fortunately, the fight with Kopas came.”

In the co-Main Event, undefeated Cody “The Crippler” Crowley, who is the current CPBC International Jr. middleweight champion and current CPBC Canadian middleweight champion, will defend his titles. On the undercard, Quebecker Eric Barrak (8-4-0, 7 KOs) will fight for the North American CPBC heavyweight title, while Mario Perez (19-7-5, 11 KOs) of Toronto, will do the same for the CPBC International super featherweight (130 lbs) belt. Five championship fights will be presented on this spectacular boxing card. Others to be named

JEAN PASCAL
The former light heavyweight world champion will be looking his third straight win, second triumph in the cruiserweight division, and his fourth win in five fights under trainer Stephan Larouche.

In his last ring appearance, this past July 20th at Place Bell in Laval, Pascal knocked out Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) veteran and former hockey enforcer, Steve “The Boss” Bosse, in the eighth round of an intense and captivating battle.

GARY KOPAS

Gary Kopas is the current CPBC Canadian cruiserweight champion and CPBC International cruiserweight title holder.
.
Don’t let his record fool you: Kopas is known as a real bulldozer in the ring. Stopped in his pro bout in 2000, he has never been stopped again, and he came back with a vengeance. Determined to prove his value in the boxing world, he has won his last six bouts.
Kopas won his Canadian title after a fierce fight with the late Quebec pugilist, David Whittom.
The Saskatoon boxer, a gentleman and shaken by tragedy, has since created a “Go Fund Me” page to raise money for David’s son.

Here is the link of the page: https://www.gofundme.com/zzq9z-rip-david

Jean Pascal – Steve Bosse postponed until July 20th

Former light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal’s bout with former UFC fighter Steve Bosse will now take place on July 20th, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

We have a new partner in Olivier Primeau, owner of the Beachclub. We already talked about doing business together a short while ago when he hosted us and Floyd Mayweather at this venue. We considered it was the perfect occasion to do it,” said promoter Yvon Michel said. “He asked us a little more time to maximize the promotion of the event and we agreed.”

“We are not here to do miracles, but to make sure boxing will be known by more people, to develop a younger crowd and a new clientele,” Primeau said.

Pascal to end brief retirement to face former Hockey player and UFC fighter Bosse

Former light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal will face former minor-league hockey player, and UFC fighter Steve Bosse on June 29th in Montreal.

“I don’t want to have no regrets and that is why I came back,” Pascal said. “I take this fight very seriously. I am already in the gym and I will have a good training camp. I found back the love for my sport.”

“I always wanted to fight a heavyweight. Steve is the perfect opponent to test myself (because) he is a big guy who was 224 pounds in his last fight,” Pascal said.

“But, still, I will put his boxing career where it belongs — on ice.”

“All my life I was an underdog. They said I could not play hockey. I played and was the most popular guy in the league,” said Bosse, who last fought in the UFC in June 2016. “They said I shouldn’t do MMA. I reached the UFC and did pretty good. Now some say I should not box? I will surprise the doubters June 29.

“Remember, I am the puncher here. I can end the fight with one punch. He can’t. I will send him back to retirement.”

“Pascal is saying it is his ambition to test the heavyweight division as it is his longtime dream to fight with the big men,” promoter Yvon Michel said. “(In this fight) you have a former world champion moving up a weight class against a bigger guy, who is also a crowd pleaser. Make sure you don’t blink.”

Jean Pascal takes out Elbiali in 6

Former Champion Jean Pascal 32-5-1(19) fought the last fight of his career in dramatic fashion on Premier Boxing Championships at Hialeah Park Racing and Casino in Hialeah, Florida. Facing young and hungry knockout artist Ahmed Elbiali 16-1(13KO) Pascal got off to a slow start as usual and got crushed with a big shot early but with flashes of his youth the Haitian born Pascal outboxed the hungry Egyptian often landing crushing overhand rights and left hook counters. Elbiali kept his attack however grew visibly frustrated, worn and tired as the fight wore on. Pascal who makes his home in Canada announced earlier in the week this would be the last fight of his career and as promised, he made it memorable. For Elbiali he is young strong and has a great future, he will be back.

With WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder sitting ringside in the broadcast booth Luis King Kong Ortiz 28-0 (24KO) demolished canary in the coalmine opponent Daniel Martz 16-6-1 (13 KO) knocking him down twice finally with a crushing left hand in round one. Once easily dispensing Martz Ortiz looked through the ropes and challenged Wilder. The two heavyweights were to fight at the Barclays Center in early November until the WBC refused to sanction the when Ortiz tested positive for two banned diuretics. Team Ortiz claimed the medication to be for high blood pressure. The WBC has since cleared the Cuban, however Wilder has not stating they two will meet. The WBC Champion got into the ring and went face to face with Ortiz on Camera.

Bryant “Goodfella” Perrella knocked Alex Martin down in the first round with a perfectly timed right hook and followed up with a near shutout from that point on. Southpaw Perrella fighting out of Fort Myers, FL used excellent effective aggression and sharp shots and kept his fellow southpaw retreating with counter punches. Hardpunching Perrella improves to 15-1(13KO) while Chicago’s Martin falls to 13-3(5KO). The cards read 79-72, 77-74 with Goodfella Perrella winning a unanimous decision..

The first televised fight of Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 was a great battle of unbeaten prospects. Hot Philadelphia prospect and former Golden Gloves Champion Stephen Fulton 12-0(5KO) kept his unbeaten record in tact with a hard-earned battle with Glendale California’s Adam Lopez 9-1 (3KO) . Lopez was the aggressor throughout the bout of pugilistic ebb and flows but it was Fulton who did a great job of counter punching off of his back foot and winning inside exchanges. Lopez took an early lead but Fulton won the judges cards with a majority decision win, with the cards reading 76-76 78-74 77-75.

On Sat, Dec 9, 2017 at 1:24 PM Marc Abrams wrote:
did we get full results?

Virus-free. www.avast.com

On Fri, Dec 8, 2017 at 9:03 PM, Johnny Schulz wrote:

———- Forwarded message ———
From: Johnny Schulz
Date: Fri, Dec 8, 2017 at 8:19 PM
Subject:
To: Marc Abrams 15rounds.com , Marc Abrams 15rounds.com

Early Results from Hialeah Park in Florida: PBC on FS1

Johnny Schulz Ringside

Premier Boxing Championships at Hialeah Park Racing and Casino in Hialeah, Florida got off to a brutal start with a string of knockouts and a war.

Kazakhstanian 2 time Bronze medalist Ivan Dychko made quick work of veteran Carlos Sandoval 10-15-1 with a TKO win at 2:22 of round one improving to 3-0(3KO)

Lightweight Joshua Zunia 9-0(4KO) won the battle of unbeaten with a fourth-round TKO. Raynell WIlliams 12-1(6KO) tasted defeat for the first time as a pro with the end coming at 2:00 of round 4.

Cuban welterweight Livan Navarro 7-0 (5KO) remained perfect and took Willie Jones 5-1(2KO) unbeaten record with a quick first-round TKO.

Seemjay Thomas 8-1(5KO) stalked Charles Mulindwa 12-6-1(5KO) from the opening bell and landed strong shots on the tall Uganda native Mulindwa who rose from one knockdown. The second time Thomas dispensed him on the canvas he got up with the shaky leg dance. Thomas gets the KO win, round 1!

Eduardo Perez Diaz 5-0(4KO) kept his unbeaten record intact as he fought off hard-charging bleeding southpaw Noe Lozano 2-2. In a spirited brutal chess match where a clash of heads opened a deep cut on Lozano in round one, Diaz did not enough to take the warrior out early.

Ahmed Elbiali Training Camp Quotes

MIAMI (November 30, 2017) – Unbeaten light heavyweight Ahmed Elbiali will look to stamp his contender status when he faces former champion Jean Pascal in the 10-round main event of a special Friday night edition of Premier Boxing Champions TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 and BOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX Deportes, December 8 from Hialeah Park in Miami, Florida. Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Warriors Boxing, begin at $30 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at www.TicketForce.com or calling (877) 840-0457, and are also available at the casino cage.

Here is what Elbiali had to say about training camp and more as he prepares for his toughest opponent to date:

On fighting in the main event on FS1 and FOX Deportes:
“It’s a dream come true to be headlining my first main event, especially on FS1 and FOX Deportes, where the world will be watching. I’ve worked very hard to get to this point in my career and I’m grateful for the opportunity. I’m looking to bring excitement to the audience. Those tuning in will get to see a hungry undefeated fighter who will be looking to end the fight early.”

On his current training camp:
“For the first time during a training camp, I’ve really secluded myself from society. I’m living at my trainer Carlos Albuerne’s house. It’s like I’m in prison. I don’t see any of my close friends or family. It’s hard, but I know it’s a necessary sacrifice if I want to get to the top. I’m working on all aspects of my game, especially using my jab to set up my power shots. My body is healthy and I’m in the best shape I’ve been in years. All the hard work is paying off. I feel great going into this fight.”

On facing former world champion Jean Pascal:
“Pascal is a very experienced fighter who knows what it’s like to win a world title. He’s a former world champion who’s fought at the elite level. He’s a dangerous puncher with a lot of skill. I’m taking this fight seriously and I feel this will be a defining fight in my career. I’m happy to have this opportunity and may the best man win.”

On fighting in his hometown of Miami:
“Fighting in my hometown is always a great experience. This is my big coming out party and I’m pleased that all my family and friends will be there to watch me fight. I’m hoping to be the first big star boxer to come out of the ‘305.’ Miami has many boxing fans and the time is now to put Miami boxers on the map.”

On what a win will do for his career:
“A victory against Pascal will catapult my career to heights I’ve never seen. A win will lead to a higher ranking and one step closer to a world title shot. Everything is riding on this fight. Victory is a must!

# # #

Fans can live stream the fights on FOX Sports GO, available in English or Spanish through the FS1 or FOX Deportes feeds. The fights are available on desktop at FOXSportsGO.com and through the app store, or connected devices including Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, Xbox One and Roku. In addition, all programs are also available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com.
Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @FS1, @FOXDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, and www.facebook.com/foxdeportes. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on FS1 & FOX Deportes is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Unbeaten Contender Ahmed Elbiali Clashes With Former World Champion Jean Pascal in 175-Pound Showdown Headlining Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 & FOX Deportes Friday, December 8 From Hialeah Park in Miami, Florida

MIAMI – (October 30, 2017) – Unbeaten contender Ahmed Elbiali will take on former world champion Jean Pascal in the 10-round light heavyweight main event of a special Friday night edition of Premier Boxing Champions TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 and BOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX Deportes, December 8 from Hialeah Park in Miami, Florida.

Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features former two-time world champion Chad Dawson against hard-hitting contender Edwin Rodriguez in a 10-round bout plus a showdown between unbeaten prospects Austin Dulay (11-0, 8 KOs) and Raynell Williams (12-0, 6 KOs) in eight rounds of lightweight action.

“The historic Hialeah Park Racetrack & Casino is a beautiful venue for an old-school crossroads fights like Ahmed Elbiali vs. Jean Pascal and Chad Dawson vs. Edwin Rodriguez,” said Leon Margules, President of Warriors Boxing. “In the main event, the world will be watching to see if the young contender Elbiali will have his day or if the older champion Jean Pascal still has what it takes. With Dawson vs. Rodriguez, it is ‘do or die’ time for both these guys. The winner of this fight will go on to another big opportunity. The loser will have some thinking to do. It’s going to be an outstanding night of fights from top to bottom, at one of the nicest venues for boxing in North America.”

The 27-year-old Elbiali (16-0, 13 KOs) is a powerful 175-pound contender looking to prove he stacks up with the other big punchers in the division. Born in Cairo, Egypt and now living in Miami, he will be fighting before a hometown crowd in a major step up bout against the former 175-pound champion Pascal. Elbiali is coming off a TKO victory against Christopher Brooker in his last fight on July 18 after previously stopping Jackson Junior in March.

“I’m so thankful to everyone who helped me get here and believe in my skills enough to give this opportunity,” said Elbiali. “This is my golden ticket. I’m excited, ready and blessed for this opportunity. Come December 8, it will be fireworks in Miami!”

Pascal (31-5-1, 18 KOs) was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti but now lives in Laval, Quebec, Canada, and won the light heavyweight title with a decision victory over Adrian Diaconu. He went on to make three defenses, including a victory over Chad Dawson, before losing the title to Bernard Hopkins in 2011. The 34-year-old is looking to bounce back from losing a majority decision to Eleider Alvarez in his last fight on June 3.

“This is not only a comeback fight, but I’m ready to battle for my career on December 8,” said Pascal. “They’re trying to give this young guy a test against a former champion and he’s going to try to use me as a ladder to the next level in this sport. I have a dangerous opponent and I’m going to be ready for him. When I fought Bernard Hopkins I was the young lion, now it’s the other way around and I’m going to be ready to show him something he’s never seen before.”

The 35-year-old Dawson (34-5, 19 KOs) is a two-time light heavyweight champion who has been in the ring against some of the best boxers in the division throughout this era. He won the light heavyweight world championship with a unanimous decision victory over Tomasz Adamek in 2007 and lost the title via a technical decision to Jean Pascal in 2010. He regained the belt with a majority decision victory over Bernard Hopkins in 2012 before losing to Andre Ward later that year. Fighting out of New Haven, Connecticut, Dawson is coming off a technical knockout loss to Andrzej Fonfara in his last fight on March 4.

“I know Edwin Rodriguez very well from sparring together in the past,” said Dawson. “We’re both in a position where we really need this win, and that’s going to make this an exciting fight. I’m motivated to do it one more time, and this time, I’m doing it right. I know that he’s strong and aggressive, but I’ve been in fights like this. I’m prepared for that type of intensity level, and I’m ready to go out and enjoy myself. I think my boxing will be the difference in the fight, and that will get me back to where I’ve been in the past.”

Rodriguez (29-2, 20 KOs) has the kind one-punch knockout power that makes him a dangerous opponent against anyone in the division. Rodriguez was born in Moca, Dominican Republic and now lives in Worchester, Mass. while training out of Houston. The 32-year-old lost a unanimous decision to Andre Ward in his biggest bout to date and he most recently scored a technical knockout victory over Melvin Russell on July 18.

“Chad Dawson is a former champion and a great fighter who at one point was looked at as close to being one of the best fighters, pound-for-pound,” said Rodriguez. “He’s had had his share of losses, but he was beating Fonfara in his last fight before being caught and knocked out. It was very important for me to come back and win my last fight by knockout, but an impressive win over a guy of Chad’s caliber will revitalize my career. This is going to be a great fight and I believe I can win by knockout or decision.”

# # #

Stevenson, Pascal, and Bullets Both Spare and Spent

By Jimmy Tobin-

There was an infomercial of sorts at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Saturday night. In a rematch undesirable and undesired, Adonis Stevenson did away with Andrzej Fonfara in brutal fashion, requiring but twice the time a part-time construction worker needed one year ago. If ever you needed proof that Stevenson remains a bridge too far for Fonfara…ah, but you didn’t need such proof did you? Stevenson remains one of the best fighters in the division, your eyes can tell you that. Yet however successful, his has been a forgettable reign (which should sit just fine with a promoter who can keep Deontay Wilder belted).

If the broadcast was salvaged at all from relegation to the formality scrapheap (which is not to suggest it was) the co-main is to thank. There, Jean Pascal fought off yet again the creeping shadows of irrelevance in dropping a majority decision to Eleider Alvarez. True to form, Pascal left a little more of himself in the ring; and while what remains of him can barely be stretched effectively over three minutes let alone twelve rounds, it was enough to make a showboat, not a killer, of Alvarez. Pascal succeeded then, in making Alvarez look mediocre—which is audition enough for Alvarez to become the ninth successful defense of Stevenson’s title.

But a Stevenson hit piece this is not, at least not quite.

“Superman” made clear his intentions in 2015—after another two-hour infomercial—when an HBO microphone was put in his face with the expectation that he would utter a specific name and Stevenson swerved. Offer whatever apologies you wish, attribute blame wherever you like—that moment encapsulates Stevenson’s championship run, his conduct since then only reinforces the message, and no number of Fonfaras, Sukhotskys, and Karpencys, however savagely chilled, will convince people otherwise.

He is fighter enough to change all of that with a left hand on the right chin and to suggest he is anything less is to watch him with more than your eyes. The number of light heavyweights who can absorb Stevenson’s Sunday punch may not be exceeded by the number of fighters who can keep him from landing it. He knocked cold the only man to beat him, has gotten off the canvas to win, and responds to adversity as the fighter with greater firepower should, which means that Stevenson, if matched as a champion should be, will provide many a spectacle. He remains a nightmare proposition, but for the opponents that matter only ever a proposition.

That is something that cannot be said of Pascal. Nor was it ever really said of him, there being so few stretches in his career when he was not trying himself against men able to find him wanting. He faced another such opponent in Alvarez and watching Pascal lay on the ropes setting transparent traps, winging counter left hooks too slow to land, lunging with lead crosses carried on unsteady legs, provided the only compelling action on Saturday. Barring the lone scorecard meant to preserve him as a viable future opponent for Stevenson, Pascal’s efforts were more endearing than effective. That has been true for a few nights over his career, one that is marked more by high profile losses than victories.

It is easy to romanticize and recast aging fighters, to allow a more charitable view of them the more punishment they absorb; even the objectionable ones seem less so in their increasing absence. Pascal is as deserving as any of such a treatment, and should likely be treated to it the next time a younger, stronger man shortens his night. Yet that reimagining is unnecessary. There is almost always drama in a Pascal fight because he is an athlete above all else, which has resulted in a fighter who takes a goodly amount of punishment and responds by trying to light up everyone in front of him. Nor do you get shorted on toughness with Pascal. Take a break from defending Kell Brook and revisit the night Pascal turned back a then-rampaging Adrian Diaconu while fighting nine rounds with a broken bone in his shoulder.

No, Pascal has never quite been elite, evidenced by his record against Bernard Hopkins and Sergey Kovalev (a meager 0-3-1 with two stoppage losses), but such are the consequences of flying too close to the sun. A sober appraisal of his time in the ring cannot be anything but complimentary, and of the two Haitian-Canadians on the broadcast Saturday, it is Pascal whose career is most endearing. It is also the one more difficult to replicate (an unfortunate reality considering that boxing would be better off for having dozens of Pascals). Again, this is not to romanticize his career, only to suggest to remember it accurately. Pascal has long suffered from mischaracterization.

Entertaining at something approaching the highest level, Pascal never shied from a challenge, never shied even, from a beating, and more and more those seem like fundamental criteria worth evaluating a fighter by. Where a fighter ranks in his division, how many titles he’s won, how often he has defended them, his standing with a major network or promoter, even how many tickets he sells—all of these details can mislead. And if there is anything to be learned from the proliferation of televised boxing in recent years it is that restricting your viewing to those fighters who are earnest and able in their violence, those who with some frequency place themselves in contests where the outcome is unclear at the opening and subsequent bells, deprives you of little.

Still, even if boxing is becoming more and more concerned with fabricating instead of cultivating excellence, it feels foolish to suggest that Pascal is the last of a dying breed. Such platitudes are out of place in a sport as resilient as ours—there will always be a need for men like Pascal, and those men will be found. This one feels right though: the spent bullet is preferable to the spare one.

Stevenson destroys Fonfara in 2

Adonis Stevenson destroyed Andrzej Fonfara in round two to defend his WBC Light Heavyweight title at Bell Centre in Montreal.

Stevenson dropped Fonfara in round one with hard left. Stevenson almost finished Fonfara off in the first round as he pummeled him all over the ring. Stevenson came out in round two by landing four hard straight lefts and Fonfara’s trainer Virgil Hunter stopped the bout 28 seconds into the frame.

This was Stevenson’s 2nd win over Fonfara as he won a unanimous decision in 2014.

Stevenson is now 29-1 with 24 knockouts. Fonfara is now 29-5.

Eleider Alvarez won a 12-round majority decision over former world champion Jean Pascal in a light heavyweight bout.

Alvarez won the fight with better activity and used an effective jab to set up flurries. Pascal had some success fighting in small spurts, but it was Alvarez who took the fight by scores of 117-111, 116-112 and 114-114.

Alvarez is 23-0. Pascal is 31-5-1.

FOLLOW STEVENSON – FONFARA LIVE!!

Follow all the action as Adonis Stevenson defends the WBC Light Heavyweight championship in a rematch with Andrzej Fonfara. The action begins at 9 PM ET / 6 PM with a light heavyweight battle between Eleider Alvarez and former world champion Jean Pascal.

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12 rounds WBC Light Heavyweight Title–Adonis Stevenson (28-1, 23 KO’s) vs Andrzej Fonfara (29-4, 17 KO’s)
ROUND	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	TOTAL
Stevenson*	10	TKO											10
Fonfara	8												8

Round 1: Straight left from Stevenson…HARD LEFT AND DOWN GOES FONFARA..Straight left..Big left backs Stevenson up..Hard left hurts Fonfara..Hard left and Fonfara is in bad trouble

Round 2 3 lefts snaps the head back and FoNFARA’S CORNER STOPS THE FIGHT

12-Rounds–Light Heavyweights–Eleider Alvarez (22-0, 11 KO’s) vs Jean Pascal (31-4-1, 18 KO’s)
ROUND	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	TOTAL
Alvarez	9	10	9	10	10	10	9	9	10	9	10	10	115
Pascal	10	9	10	9	9	9	10	10	9	10	9	9	113

Round 1 Alvarez lands a jab..Good counter right from Pascal..Left and right…Right from Alvarez

Round 2 Good over hand right from Alvarez…Hard jab..Pascal Holding on..2 uppercuts to body from Alvarez..Jab..Lead left from Pascal..Good combination from Alvarez..

Round 3 Alvarez lands a right over the top..Good counter right from Pascal..Right..Furious exchange

Round 4 Hard 1-2 from Alvarez..Jab…Left hook..3 jabs..

Round 5 Alvarez lands a combination..Hard jab..2 jabs and a right..double jab..Jab..

Round 6 Good right from Alvarez..Jab..

Round 7 Right from Alvarez..Pascal lands a body shot..Good right

Round 8 Alvarez lands 2 jabs and a left hook….Body and right to head from Pascal..Double left hook..Right and body work..Body..Short right from Alvarez

Round 9 Right from Alvarez..Huge uppercut..Flurry on the ropes..3 punch combo from Pascal..Body and head shot..Lead right..Hard left hook from Alvarez…Jab

Round 10 Counter right from Pascal..Double jab from Alvarez..Counter left from Pascal…Left from Alvarez..Right from Pascal..

Round 11 Hard right from Alvarez..Good combination..Jab

Round 12 Left from Alvarez…Jab..

114-114….117-111 and 116-112 for Eleider Alvarez

ADONIS STEVENSON vs. ANDRZEJ FONFARA II FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES FOR WBC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP THIS SATURDAY LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

MONTREAL (May 30, 2017) – WBC Light Heavyweight World Champion Adonis Stevenson and Andrzej Fonfara sounded off at the final press conference on Tuesday at Montreal Casino for their 175-pound rematch this Saturday live on SHOWTIME from Bell Centre.

WBC Light Heavyweight No. 1 contender Eleider Alvarez and former 175-pound champ Jean Pascal also faced off for their co-featured bout that opens the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast live at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Both Stevenson (28-1, 23 KOs) and Fonfara (29-4, 17 KOs) scored knockdowns in their all-action meeting in 2014, the only time Stevenson has been down in his eight world title fights since winning the WBC belt in 2013. While the local Montreal favorite was pushed the distance in his first bout with Fonfara, he has scored knockouts in five of his seven title defenses and stated on Tuesday that he expects a knockout in the rematch.

Since the close loss to Stevenson in 2014, Fonfara has picked up wins against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Nathan Cleverly and Chad Dawson, and enters the rematch with a new trainer, the renowned Virgil Hunter.

Alvarez (22-0, 11 KOs) is undefeated and the mandatory challenger for Stevenson’s WBC belt, but he’ll face the toughest test of his career in Pascal (31-4-1, 18 KOs), a former WBC 175-pound champion who has faced some of the world’s best light heavyweights over the past decade.

Here’s what the fighters had to say on Tuesday:

ADONIS STEVENSON
“I’m ready because I know Fonfara is dangerous. We’re not underestimating him. I’ve prepared for everything, everything he brings in the ring I’ll be ready for it.

“I’m training for the knockout. Emanuel Steward always told me ‘knockouts sell.’ When I get in the ring I’m going for a knockout. It’s not an option for me to go 12 rounds.

“I train for 12 rounds, and if it goes 12 rounds he’s going to get punishment the whole time, but I definitely am going for the knockout.

“I see some things I can exploit in the ring.

“I won the first fight, and I know him very well. I know what he can do. I know he changed trainers. Virgil Hunter brings a lot of experience, I know he trains Andre Ward, and I know he’s very intelligent.

“I know Andrzej Fonfara from 12 rounds in the ring. He can’t change his style right now. He may show some improved defense, but after a couple of rounds it will be the old Fonfara.

“This fight will be different. I expect a knockout. I hurt my hand in our first fight, but now I’m fully healthy and I expect to knock him out.

“I know Fonfara is training hard to take my belt. I know he’s a tough fighter, and I know it’s not going to be easy for me.

“My goal is to unify the titles with the winner of (Sergey) Kovalev and (Andre) Ward. I want the unification, but if not I’ll make my mandatory. If Ward wins I want to fight him, if Kovalev wins I want to fight him. I’m ready.”

ANDRZEJ FONFARA
“I’m a much smarter fighter now. Mentally, I’m much strong and smarter.

“I bettered myself. Virgil (Hunter) has taught me a lot of new stuff. Some things worked in my last fight with Chad Dawson, some things didn’t. But that was our first fight together. Now I’m ready to show everything in this fight.

“I’ve had a lot of success against southpaws. I like fighting them. Chad Dawson was a southpaw, so the last two fights, the last four months, we prepared only for southpaws.

“I’m ready for the best Stevenson.

“My camp went well. Sparring was great. It’s my second full camp with Virgil Hunter and we’ve improved a lot since the first fight.

“I can’t make the same mistakes I did in our first fight. I must fight much smarter.

“Stevenson only has a good left hand. He’s the champ and he’s a good fighter, but his boxing isn’t amazing. He’s not easy, but he only has basic boxing skills. We must cut his left hand and be ready to throw my right. We need to control him.

“I must start good in the first round and let him know that I’m here to win the fight. And I’ll be the new champion.

“I’m always a fighter that goes forward and pushes guys back, but I am now ready to fight backwards if I need to. I’ll show the best Andrzej Fonfara this time.

“I’m going to win the fight. A world title is the only thing I’ve never had. I’ve imagined raising my hand after the fight and becoming the new WBC champion.”

“I’m ready to take the title. My time has come.

“I’m ready to be the new world champion and I’ll do that Saturday night. He wants the KO, and I want the KO, too.

“I respect him because he’s the champ. I came here to show that, this time, I’m the better fighter.”

ELEIDER ALVAREZ
“He has a lot of experience, but experience can be negative sometimes. He’s experienced, but he has negative experiences and losses, too. I don’t think it will be a factor Saturday night.

“My style will be an advantage. I’m taller, I have a longer reach, and a better jab. My footwork is better, too. So I think my style is my advantage.

“I’m fully ready for my title shot. I’ve been ready for 18 months, but for some reason it didn’t happen. I’m ready to face everybody. I’m probably in the toughest division in boxing right now, but once Stevenson comes I’ll be ready.

“I didn’t wait 18 months to become a world champion for nothing. I won’t give a victory to Pascal. I’ve waited for 18 months for my chance and I won’t give it to Pascal.

“Sparring with him (Pascal) is an advantage, but it was a long time ago and now he’s changed teams. So I don’t know what he’s done in his training camp this time.

“Marc (Ramsay) taught me some tricks, but I already know Jean Pascal because I trained with him and sparred with him for a while. It’s an advantage to have Marc, but it can be different and you never know what he’ll bring to the ring this time around.”

JEAN PASCAL
“Winning is the only option for me.

“I’ve been in some battles, but my tank is still full.

“I’ve faced way better opposition than him. I’ve been there, done that on the big stage. This is a big, big fight, and I’ve been here before. That’s the thing with experience – you can’t buy experience. You have to live it, and I’ve lived it many times. I’m ready to be on the big stage once again.

“Training camp went really well. I was with Roy Jones Jr. and Stephane Larouche and we stayed in Montreal for the whole camp. We had no injuries and we’re ready to go on Saturday.

“Sparring with Alvarez isn’t really an advantage for me. The last time we sparred was like two or three years ago. I know him, but he knows me also. I actually have two strikes against me – he knows me well, but his coach knows me by heart because he’s my former coach. But none of that matters. I’ve done my homework and I know what to do in the ring.

“Right now my focus is on Alvarez. After the referee raises my hand and we’ll see what’s next.”

# # #

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Light Heavyweight World Champion Adonis Stevenson Faces Andrzej Fonfara in Championship Rematch That Headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, Presented by Premier Boxing Champions, Saturday, June 3 Live on SHOWTIME from Bell Centre in Montreal

MONTREAL (April 21, 2017) – WBC Light Heavyweight World Champion Adonis “Superman” Stevenson will take-on hard-hitting Polish contender Andrzej Fonfara in a rematch of their 2014 slugfest on Saturday, June 3 in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, presented by Premier Boxing Champions, live on SHOWTIME from the Bell Centre in Montreal.

Televised coverage will also include a matchup of top light heavyweights as WBC number-one contender Eleider Alvarez (22-0, 11 KOs) faces former world champion Jean Pascal (31-4-1, 18 KOs) with both men looking to get a shot at the winner of the main event next.

Stevenson (28-1, 23 KOs) and Fonfara (29-4, 17 KOs) battled at Bell Centre on May 24, 2014 as Stevenson was able to survive a knockdown late in the fight to win a decision and defend his belt for the third time. Both men threw huge shots all the way until the final bell and will look to pick up where they left off on June 3.

“I’m very excited for this rematch with Fonfara, but it is going to be a short night for him because they don’t pay me for overtime,” said Stevenson. “I’m very happy to be back in the ring for my first fight of 2017. I can’t wait to fight in front of my hometown fans at the Bell Centre. The first time I fought Fonfara was at the Bell Centre in 2014 and now we’re back doing it for a second time. I will put on a great, exciting show for the fans in my hometown, and for the fans on SHOWTIME.”

“I feel good that I’m back here after three years,” said Fonfara. “I’m ready for revenge. I’m a different fighter physically and mentally. I’ve shown in a couple of fights that I’m a better fighter. It’s a great opportunity to get the rematch and be a world champion. The last fight against Chad Dawson gave me experience because it was very technical. But really all the fights since then – Julio Chavez, Jr., Nathan Cleverly and even Joe Smith – have helped me prepare for Stevenson again. I changed my team, got a new coach and a trainer, which makes me physically and mentally where I need to be for this fight. I don’t have a problem fighting in Montreal. I love Montreal. It’s a beautiful city with beautiful people. It will be a great night of boxing and I’m sure that I will be victorious on the night of June 3.”

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Group Yvon Michel (GYM) in association with Warriors Boxing, are priced from $80 to $350, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at the Bell Centre box office, on www.evenko.ca, at GYM (514) 383-0666) or at Champion Boxing Club (514) 376-0980.

“This is one of the best shows in Quebec in a long time,” said Yvon Michel, President of GYM. “It’s the kind of event that will inject some adrenaline into boxing in Quebec. We have two fights that could be main events anywhere in the world and on any network. Adonis will defend his title for the eighth time. To be a world champion for four years is exceptional. Fonfara has a style that can give Adonis some problems.’

“In the co-main event we have a former world champion in Pascal who still believes he can be world champion. He will have a tough assignment with Alvarez, a fighter who just proved he belongs with the best in the world with his win over Lucian Bute. If he beats Pascal he will have beaten two of the best stars that Canada has ever produced in back-to-back fights. He will prove to be a threat to anyone in the future.”

“We’re really looking forward to taking on Stevenson at the Bell Centre in Montreal on SHOWTIME,” said Leon Margules, President of Warriors Boxing, Fonfara’s promoter. “Andrzej was just 26-years-old when they fought last time and it was a big step up for him. We believe he’s now ready to win because he has gained a significant amount of experience in matches with Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., Nathan Cleverly and Chad Dawson. We’re thrilled to be given the opportunity to fight Stevenson for the world title for a second time.”

Stevenson won the world light heavyweight title in June of 2013 in Montreal, via a sensational 76-second, first-round knockout over the then-undisputed king of the division Chad Dawson. The impressive victory earned Stevenson “Knockout of the Year” and “Fighter of the Year” accolades. From there, Stevenson went on to record stoppage victories over Tavoris Cloud and Tony Bellew in addition to the decision over Fonfara. Born in Haiti, but fighting out of Quebec, Stevenson defended his title twice in 2015 before making the seventh defense of his belt in an exciting firefight with Thomas Williams Jr. that ended with a fourth-round knockout for the reigning champion. The lineal 175-pound champion trains out of the late Emanuel Steward’s Kronk Gym with his head trainer Sugar Hill.

Now training in Oakland with Virgil Hunter, Fonfara enters this bout coming off of a 10th-round stoppage victory over former world champion Chad Dawson in March at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The fighter out of Warsaw, Poland bounced back from his defeat to Stevenson with a TKO victory over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and a decision over Nathan Cleverly in a 2015 Fight of the Year contender. The 29-year-old won his first 13 fights after moving up to light heavyweight in 2010 including wins over Gabriel Campillo, Glen Johnson and Tommy Karpency.

A 2008 Colombian Olympian fighting out of Montreal, Alvarez worked his way into the mandatory position for the WBC title with victories over Isidro Ranoni Prieto and Isaac Chilemba in 2015. He followed those up with wins over Robert Berridge and Norbert Dabrowski before his most recent matchup that saw him deliver a sensation fifth round knockout over former world champion Lucian Bute.

Originally from Haiti, Pascal and his family moved to Canada when he was a child and began boxing at the age of 13. He would eventually become one of the most accomplished fighters from Montreal. Pascal became a world champion in 2009 when he defeated previously unbeaten Adrian Diaconu. He would go on to defend the title three times, including a victory over Chad Dawson. After losing his title to Bernard Hopkins, Pascal has picked up victories over Lucian Bute, Yuniesky Gonzalez and most recently Ricardo Ramallo in addition to two challenges of former unified world champion Sergey Kovalev.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @AdonisSuperman, @Andrzej_Fonfara and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing, www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Barrera taunts Pascal “Did my KO of Shabranskyy scare you?”

Fresh off of his crushing 7th round knockout of the previously unbeaten Vyacheslav Shabranskyy, top rated light heavyweight contender Sullivan “Sully B” Barrera has his next victim in mind.

The former amateur standout from Cuba wants to avenge his countryman Yunieski Gonzalez’s defeat to Jean Pascal. Shabranskyy is the only other fighter to defeat his compatriot.

“I knocked out Shabranskyy to get revenge for my friend and I will knockout Pascal too. We can fight anywhere in the United States. Hell, I would go to his country of Haiti and fight him. I just want to get my hands on him,” Barrera stated.

Barrera has been chasing Pascal for two years but has had no luck getting the former champion in the ring. With Barrera’s main two targets – Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev – locked in for a year rematch in the first half of 2017, Barrera knows a fight between himself and Pascal would produce a worthy challenger for either one of them in the second half of next year.

“I want a rematch with Ward or a fight with Kovalev but I know they are fighting again so I can’t just sit around. Pascal needs to man up and fight me. If he beats me he can get a Ward fight. If I beat him I can get a Ward rematch or a Kovalev fight,” said Barrera.

“I can’t fight in Canada but I am willing to fight him anywhere else in the world. I will fight him in the backyard of his parent’s house in Haiti if he wants. Pascal, you need to stop running from me and give the fans the fight they want. Did my knockout of Shabranskyy scare you? Me and you toe to toe is guaranteed to end in a knockout! Congratulations on your win on Friday but now it is time for me and you to get in the ring!”

Sullivan Barrera to Pascal “Keep your word, fight me next!”

Former Cuban amateur standout Sullivan Barrera (17-1 12 KOs) is training hard with new trainer Derik Santos. The Florida-based duo have gelled and can’t wait to show off the new and improved Barrera in the very near future.

With Sergey Kovalev and Adonis Stevenson already locked into their next bouts, Barrera wants to face former champion Jean Pascal in a high stakes showdown. With both fighters coming off of losses, the heavy handed fighters are sure to produce fireworks in what would be the definition of a crossroads roads battle. The winner would be in a great position for several major fights in the winter and spring of 2017.

Pascal in fact has already agreed to the bout, displaying his desires on his verified Twitter timeline. Barrera intends to take him up on his offer and has no problem traveling to Canada to make the fight happen.

@sullivanbarrera if you can cross the boarder I'm down. I have a good market in Montreal, Canada. Let's fight in front of a packed house.

— Jean Pascal (@jeanpascalchamp) April 23, 2016

“I’ve been trying to get a fight against Pascal since last year,” Barrera stated. “I have power and he has power. I need a win and he does too, so let’s do it. You already agreed to the fight so stop ducking me. You’ve been all talk so be a man of your word and make it happen. I am ready to fight you now. Let’s give the fans a great fight.”

With Barrera coming off his first career loss and Pascal losing 2 of his last 3, and all three losses between them coming against elite competition, there is no better time than now for these heavy hitters two face each other.

Kovalev krushes Koach Freddie, et al

By Bart Barry-
Sergey Kovalev
Saturday at Montreal’s Bell Centre, Russian light heavyweight champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev beat Haitian-Canadian Jean Pascal till Pascal’s corner told its charge to remain seated at the end of round 7. While the match was at no point competitive, while it was the rematch of a 2015 match that was not competitive, it was not that much less competitive in the seventh round than the sixth or the fifth or the fourth. The reason for the stoppage, apparently, was what disproportionate pleasure Kovalev began to derive from wounding the man across from him. During a sporting event.

Sergey Kovalev is a very good prizefighter in a decent division in a tired and tiring and tiresome era – and unfortunately for him and his copromoters, Main Events and HBO, no magical number of iterations will someday make him a great prizefighter (in the sense of Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao or Juan Manuel Marquez). A certain number of prizefighters get elected to the hall of fame each year, though, and boxing’s fabric is diaphanous and thinning, and so, sometime in the next 15 years, Kovalev’s immortality will gain purchase of a sort, with youngsters backing and filling our memories of his good fights with numbers and metaphors to prove his greatness.

It’s all in the game, sure, but howsoever will “Legendary Nights: Kovalev Krushes Pascal Twice” weather a scheduling error that sets it beside “Legendary Nights: The Tale of Hagler vs. Hearns”?

Better, probably, than Freddie Roach’s reputation will suffer Pacquiao’s first retirement a few months from now. Coach Freddie was back in promoter mode last week, casting colorful quotes at bored writers in the buildup to a rematch of a first match that was not competitive, assuring those gathered the improvement he wrought with Pascal was not subtle. But it was exactly that, as Pascal demonstrated by enduring Kovalev’s fury for 63 seconds less than he did 10 months ago. Coach Freddie’s solace is found here: The version of Pascal who sneaked past a lad named Yunieski Gonzalez in July was fated for a fiveround stoppage Saturday in Montreal, and the small, but enormous, stylistic details, that were overhauls, performed by Coach Freddie kept Pascal conscious if barely competitive for an extra six minutes of abuse.

Pascal has a great physique and a handsome face, both improvements made by Roach, and a penchant for winging wide punches and stumbling over his own aggressiveness – also wrinkles, pleats really, Coach Freddie ironed in. Unconvinced? Coach Freddie is going to overhaul that last sentence, a strategic revision about which he says, “Every writer is different in a job like this, but making Barry’s sentence better is kind of easy because there are so many mistakes.”

Let’s have a look:

Pascal has a tremendous physique and a striking face, both improvements made by Roach, and a tendency to wing punches wide and stumble over his own aggression – also wrinkles Coach Freddie folded in.

There you have it. Editor of the year.

With or without Roach, Pascal now returns to the toughman circuit to which Englishman Carl Froch remanded him seven years ago and whence Chad Dawson and Bernard Hopkins drafted him in 2010. Pascal is the sort of dark brute our nightmares convince us to favor in confrontations with wafers like Froch or Kovalev, but Pascal’s menace, much like Adonis Stevenson’s, is a cultivated superficiality, an amplifier of North American stereotypes more than a genuine bit of danger.

Froch was not menacing; Froch was a craftsman, a man who obsessed over manly comportment, found its purest manifestation in prizefighting, and obsessed over prizefighting. Froch wanted to be a great prizefighter and didn’t particularly care what pathway might get him there. Kovalev is a different thing entirely.

Were he not bludgeoning men with his fists, Kovalev would’ve done things vile enough to someone like Liam Neeson and his family for the subtext of “Taken” to have been Inspired by true events. Trainer emeritus Don Turner once used a telling word to describe Kovalev: mean. From Matthew the college professor or Sarah the barista, a word like that describing a professional fighter does not register, but from a man whose livelihood derives in large part from midwifing a will-to-cruelty in other men, the word is potent. The word manifests itself in the deadness of Kovalev’s countenance when he attacks – a predatory lack of empathy. Kovalev is more an athletic psychopath, more Sonny Liston, than an athlete who suspends his conscience to steal another man’s consciousness.

After Pascal’s corner waved the white towel Saturday, Kovalev fumbled a bit with the straightening of his Krusher kap, and it sent the mind to no coordinate sharper than Juan Manuel Marquez a minute after he snatched the animating force from Manny Pacquiao – mounting the turnbuckle a length from Pacquiao’s stillmotionless body, and ensuring his bill was just so for the cameras. Marquez’s willingness to kill another man in the ring, though, was tempered slightly by a very deep Mexican prizefighting tradition, a decree from the elders like: Thou shalt not. Russian boxing, an amateur-only affair till the 1990s, a sportsman’s endeavor performed with pillowy gloves and headgear till Kovalev was at least 10 years-old, has no such tether for its current practitioners.

Which means Andre Ward’s undefeated record, nay his life, is in jeopardy! Not so fast.

Kovalev is a very good 175-pound prizefighter. Andre Ward is a great 168-pound prizefighter. If Ward is not quite mean as Kovalev, he’s resentful as hell, distrustful, and unafraid to lead with his head or hit a man low if the moment warrants it. For all his menace and horror of intention, Kovalev barely dented a 50-year-old Bernard Hopkins in 36 minutes of trying. Anyone who thinks Kovalev is going to krush a 31-year-old version of Hopkins needs to start muting his HBO telecasts.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

Video: Watch: Sergey Kovalev vs. Jean Pascal 2 Fight Highlights

Video: The New Partnership of Jean Pascal and Freddie Roach

Video: HBO Boxing News: Kovalev vs. Pascal Weigh-In

KOVALEV AND PASCAL CAMPS COLLIDE AHEAD OF FIERY REMATCH, LIVE ON BOXNATION

The camps of Unified world light-heavyweight Champion Sergey Kovalev and challenger Jean Pascal have clashed ahead of their rematch this Saturday at the Bell Centre in Montreal, televised exclusively live in the UK on BoxNation.

There is genuine hatred between both fighters in the build up to the return – Kovalev won the first fight with an eighth round stoppage in March last year – and it could be even spicier second time around with Kovalev’s WBO, IBF and WBA Super World titles on the line again.

At the pre-fight press this week it turned nasty when Pascal started handing out bananas to black members of the audience, including Kovalev’s trainer John David Jackson, a former two-weight world champion, who had to be restrained from going after Paschal by security guards.

This was in response to alleged racist comments made by Kovalev to Pascal when he said, “I’m going to whoop your black ass.” Pascal said, “That’s a racist comment. He called me a piece of (expletive) because I’m black. He didn’t say that to any white fighter.”

“Do you want to keep it for your black coach?” Said Pascal to Kovalev as he held up a banana. “Black people, do you want some?”

Russian ace Kovalev dismissed Pascal’s comments when it was his turn to speak on the podium. He said, “Everybody knows what is true,” Kovalev said. “But you will see on Saturday. It will be a personal fight for me.”

Jackson defended his charge, saying he wouldn’t be working Kovalev’s corner if he was a racist. “It’s not about race. Sergey may say things where at the time when he says them, they may come out wrong, but if he was racist, I wouldn’t be in his corner.”

Canadian Pascal, a former WBC World Champion at light-heavyweight, continued his rant accusing Jackson of only coming into the Kovalev camp a few weeks before the fight because Kovalev doesn’t trust him.

“He (Kovalev) came to you for three weeks before the fight. He don’t trust you because you’re black. He doesn’t respect you.” Said Pascal.

Jackson fired back, “Is that all? Why is Marc [Ramsey, Pascal’s former trainer] not here. Because he knows you’re getting knocked out in this fight. That’s why he’s not here. No other reason. He told you you’re gonna get knocked out this fight. Yeah, put the mic away now, because that’s true. You know that’s true. That’s why you’re stuck right here.”

With security called in to calm the camps down, Jackson said to Pascal, “Shut the **** up, you had your time” and challenged him to a fight outside. “Come outside and you’ll get knocked out.”

Live coverage will start on BoxNation at 2am on Saturday night. To subscribe to BoxNation (Sky 437/490HD, Virgin 525, Freeview 255, TalkTalk 415, iPhone, iPad or Android and Amazon devices) for only £12 a month visit boxnation.com or to watch online subscribe at watch.boxnation.com

– Ends –

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Pascal hits Kovalev with an accusation as old as boxing

By Norm Frauenheim-
Kovalev & Pascal Weigh-InCasino de Montreal
Boxing’s ugly history repeated itself, warts and all, with Jean Pascal calling Sergey Kovalev a racist in the final news conference before their rematch Saturday night at Montreal’s Bell Centre.

I’m not sure what to make of it. The cynical side of the scarred business suggests that Pascal’s accusation is just another way of marketing a tough sell in his hometown.

Late Thursday, seats in every corner of the building, other than the pricey ones at ringside were available on the Bell Centre’s website.

Pascal, who has been calling Kovalev a racist since the light-heavyweight fight (HBO 9:45 p.m. ET/PT) was announced, raised the volume by several octaves with a performance that included bananas and a near brawl with Kovalev’s African-American trainer, John David Jackson. If Pascal was looking for twitter hits and website headlines, he got them.

Kovalev, an unbeaten Russian and a pound-for-pound contender, left himself open to the charge last April when he posed for a photo with a child in a T-shirt adorned with a boxer topped by a gorilla’s head. At the bottom of the photo, Kovalev wrote a caption that took aim at Adonis Stevenson, who like Pascal is a Quebec light-heavyweight of Haitian descent.

It says: “Adonis looks great!!!’’

It’s stupid.

Kovalev, long frustrated by the inability to land a fight with Stevenson, apologized. In this polarized era, however, apologies aren’t believed. They don’t last long either. But that photo isn’t going anywhere. It’s only a few keystrokes away for any rival who wants to use it as evidence to support an allegation.

In words and tone, Kovalev (28-0-1, 25 KOs) suggests that Pascal (30-3-1, 17 KOs) is calling him a racist out of fear or in an attempt at gamesmanship. If it’s the latter, Pascal is making a terrible mistake.

Kovalev is not easily distracted. The photo was dumb. The caption was dumber. But nobody has detected anything dumb in the way Kovalev fights. He is as poised as he is ruthless.

Bernard Hopkins, one of the game’s wise men, knew that instinctively throughout the all the hype before their 2014 fight. He didn’t do any of his trademark trash-talk, a Hopkins art form. He had read Kovalev well enough to know it wouldn’t work. Nothing did. Kovalev won a crushing decision and Hopkins, who was widely criticized for calling Joe Calzaghe “a white boy,” praised him in its aftermath.

It’s also noteworthy that Hopkins defended Kovalev after the photo appeared. Hopkins was quoted as saying he didn’t believe the Russian was racist. However, he also said that Kovalev would regret it.

Regret, race and, yes, racism have been part of the boxing narrative for as long as there has been an opening bell. It produced The Great White Hope more than a century ago in a segregated society’s desperate attempt to find a white heavyweight who could beat Jack Johnson.

To this day, Mexican fans chant “Guero.” Loosely translated, that means White Boy. Those fans will chant it, in singsong fashion, at almost any fighter of any color without a chance and/or the willingness to brawl. A racist slur? Depends on the listener. From this white face in a ringside seat, it’s merely a genuine expression from a crowd with a tribal-title loyalty for a fighter it knows like a neighbor.

In 1975, Muhammad Ali mocked Joe Frazier with a toy, a rubber gorilla that he tied onto a string and playfully battered around during a news conference before he beat Frazier in the Philippines.

“It’s going to be a Thrilla In Manila when I kill that Gorilla,’’ Ali said then.

Ali probably cringes now, which is what Pascal and Kovalev will probably do years from now.

Kovalev-Pascal II Undercard Press Conference Quotes

Dmitry “The Mechanic” Mikhaylenko
“I would like to welcome everybody here. I want to thank HBO and Main Events for this opportunity. I like it here in Canada. It is my second time fighting here. It was just a year ago when I was here in the back row for this press conference and now I am in the front row. I thank Karim Mayfield for taking this fight on the short notice. Now my dream has come true and I am fighting on HBO. I don’t like to talk much before the bout. I am 100% ready and I want to give the best show to our fans. The victory goes to the strongest guy.”

Karim “Hard Hitta” Mayfield
Photo Credits: Vincent Ethier/Interbox

Karim “Hard Hitta” Mayfield
“I am happy to be able to have this opportunity. It was short notice but as a professional you have to be prepared for these types of opportunities. I am always ready. I have a lot of power and speed. I am ready to win this [USBA Welterweight] Title on January 30. After this fight, the winner, which will be me, will have better opportunities available to them after this fight. January 30 I look forward to capitalizing on his punch count.”

Kathy Duva
Photo Credits: Vincent Ethier/Interbox

Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events
“Today 33 years ago, my husband was discussing Roberto Duran with the doctor as I was giving birth to my beautiful daughter, Nicole. I am immensely proud of her. Happy Birthday, Nicole. It is a pleasure to work with Interbox again. Our staffs work very well together. Tomorrow night we get on opposite sides but everything leading up to that point has been a pleasure. Tune in at 9:45 PM on HBO. Making his first appearance on HBO will be Dmitry Mikhaylenko against Karim Mayfield in 10 rounds for the USBA Welterweight Title. He told us yesterday his hobbies are women and beer, so I know he will be loved by the fans here in Canada. I want to thank our Russian Sponsors Rosneft and Myakhov Vodka. They provide good solid support for us. This is our first time with Rosneft; we want to welcome them. We have a wonderful event for you on Saturday. I love coming to Quebec. They are people who take boxing seriously as a major sport. Thank you for having me again. Thank you to Pierre and Jean Bedard and the team from Interbox. Be there at 6:30. The fans here in Canada are in for a treat with our two great fighters Cassius Chaney and Virgilijus Stapulionis.”

Pierre Duc
Photo Credits: Vincent Ethier/Interbox

Pierre Duc, Vice President of Interbox
“Once again it has been a tremendous pleasure to work with Main Events. We have learned to work together as a team and it is just getting better. We are competitors once our guys get in the ring, but during the planning we have been a team. Thank you so much and do not miss the gala on Saturday.”

Egis Klimas
Photo Credits: Vincent Ethier/Interbox

Egis Klimas, Manager of Mikhaylenko
“Thank you. I don’t have to tell how happy we are to be here. Feels like we are at home. We like it here. Want to thank HBO for giving us this opportunity. They are wonderful people. I want to thank Team Mayfield. At one point, several years ago, me and Karim were in LA were talking about possibly working together. Ultimately it didn’t work out, but I know he is a good warrior. I have nothing negative to say about him. He is a really good fighter. He has speed in his hands. Dmitry has speed and a lot of punches. It is going to be a tremendous fight. I can’t predict a victory. It is going to be a really good competition. Also fighting on Saturday is Virgilis Stapulionis, who is my countryman, he is going to be on the undercard. I represent him too.”

Greg Cohen
Photo Credits: Vincent Ethier/Interbox

Greg Cohen, Promoter of Mayfield
“It is really terrific to be here. I want to thank Kathy and Main Events. We have worked together many times. They are always a pleasure to work with. When Ray Robinson dropped out, I called Jolene [Mizzone, Main Events’ matchmaker] because I thought Karim would make a great replacement. I hadn’t even mentioned it to Karim. When Jolene said she thought we could make this fight happen, I called Karim and he didn’t even hesitate. He is in fighting shape 365 days a year. That is what you want as a promoter. That is what you want from your fighters and you seldom get it. Come Saturday night Karim Mayfield will be 100% and I firmly believe he will come out of the ring wearing the USBA belt.”

Press Conference Dais
Photo Credits: Vincent Ethier/Interbox

Joel Diaz
“I want to thank everybody for coming out here. I want to thank my team, Chris Byrd former heavyweight champion. I want to thank everybody at Main Events and Jean Pascal for putting me on the card. I want to thank Abraham Gomez for taking the fight. You have to have a pair of balls to get in the ring. 2016 is going to be a hell of a year for us.”

About January 30
The grudge match for the unified light heavyweight world championship between Sergey Kovalev and Jean Pascal, a Vidéotron presentation in collaboration with Mise-O-Jeu, will be televised live in the United States on HBO beginning 9:45pm ET/PT. The HBO telecast will open with a ten-round match-up between Dmitry Mikhaylenko and Karim Mayfield for the vacant USBA Welterweight Title. In Canada the event will be available on pay-per-view TV, please consult with your local cable provider. The card is promoted by Main Events and InterBox in association with German Titov Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions. Tickets are on sale on at www.evenko.ca, at Centre Bell box office and at Club de boxe Champions in Montreal.

About Main Events
Main Events was founded in 1978 by the late Dan Duva and is now run by his widow Kathy Duva. As one of the top promotional companies in the world, Main Events has promoted boxing legends Evander Holyfield, Arturo Gatti, Lennox Lewis, Pernell Whitaker and many more. Currently, Main Events promotes WBO, IBF and WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev. Main Events is committed to promoting quality fights that boxing fans want to see.

About InterBox
InterBox, founded in Québec in 1997, and acquired by Groupe Sportscene in 2004, is a boxing organization that is recognized and respected throughout the Quebec province and the world. Its goal is to promote professional boxing, locally and internationally, with talented boxers who are supervised by top-notch trainers and have access to a cutting-edge support staff. InterBox regularly promotes and presents first-rate events in cooperation with such major corporate sponsors as Vidéotron, La Cage – Brasserie sportive and Coors Light.

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Video: HBO Boxing News: Kieran Mulvaney goes 1-on-1 with Jean Pascal