The way Badou Jack sees it, he could be 3-1 in his last four fights. And even the loss in his projection was in part because of bad luck.
The reality? The former super middleweight titleholder is 1-2-1 in his last four, including a split-decision setback against Jean Pascal at 175 pounds that he will have the opportunity to avenge on the Floyd Mayweather-Logan Paul card Saturday.
The other loss came against Marcus Browne when he had a cut on his forehead so massive it seemed his brain could’ve fallen out. He last fought in November, when he outpointed journeyman Blake McKernan.
“I lost that fight,” he told Boxing Junkie, referring to the unanimous-decision loss to Browne. “I have no excuses. Everyone saw what happened. I lost that fight fair and square. The one was because of boxing politics, in my opinion.
“It’s it what it is, boxing politics. Now I have a new trainer. We’ve made small adjustments so I can finish these guys and not worry about boxing politics.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sD99YgcvWP0
Jack lived up to his reputation as a slow starter against Pascal, at least according to the judges. He lost the first five rounds of the December 2019 fight on all three scorecards, going down in Round 4.
The Las Vegas-based Swede roared back — putting Pascal down in Round 12 — to make it a close fight but he ended up on the wrong end of the decision. Judge Julie Lederman scored it for him 114-112 but Barry Lindenman and Nelson Vazquez had Pascal winning by the same score.
Jack (23-3-3, 13 KOs) doesn’t believe he deserved to lose all five rounds but he acknowledged that he has had the tendency to fall behind early in some fights, the result of his patient, break-them-down style.
Among the adjustments he and the new trainer, Jonathan Banks, are working on: Get to work at the opening bell.
“I’m going to win every round in this fight,” he said. “I’m not looking to give anything away. We’re working on things in the gym. You’ll see. I’m going to win every round. That’s it. They can call me a slow starter … in the past.”
If Jack sounds like a brash youngster, that’s because he feels like one even at 37. He said he feels strong in the gym and runs as far and as fast as he ever did. He’s fit. Plus, he has a wealth of experience – a solid amateur background and 12 years as a pro – from which to draw.
Of course, he has nothing on Pascal (35-6-1, 20 KOs) took up the sport at a younger age and has been a professional for 16 years. Jack believes he’s fresher than his rival.
“Obviously he’s doing something right,” Jack said of Pascal. “He’s beaten a lot of good fighters. And he’s fought everybody. He has a lot more mileage on him even though he’s only a year older than I am, though.
“I’m still here, going strong. I’m still learning, still feeling great. I still have a lot left. You’ll see.”
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