Jean Pascal tested positive for PEDs, forcing Badou Jack to find a new opponent for June 6.
Badou Jack is searching for another opponent after Jean Pascal tested positive for three banned substances and was removed from the June 6 pay-per-view card featuring the exhibition between Floyd Mayweather and Logan Paul.
Yahoo Sports reported that Pascal failed tests for Drostanolone, Drostanolone Metabolite and Epitrenbolone.
The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association administered the random drug test.
Pascal, a 38-year-old secondary light heavyweight titleholder, defeated Jack by a split decision in December 2019. The French-Canadian hasn’t fought since that bout.
“My fight with @jeanpascalchamp is OFF as he tested positive for 3 different steroids. We suspected he was dirty the first time around and @Vada_testing confirmed it this time. I’m still fighting on June 6th and my team is looking for a replacement opponent.”
Pascal (35-6-1, 20 KOs) said he plans to prove that he’s not a cheater. He said he has fired his fitness trainer.
“I am shocked and embarrassed,” Pascal said in a formal statement. “I would never voluntarily take illegal substances. I’ve always fought for a clean sport and will continue to do so. I’m one of the first modern boxers to insist on random testing, and I’ve passed countless tests during my 13 years at the highest level of boxing,” Pascal stated.
“I want to assure all my fans that this is an isolated incident, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to prove it. My strength and conditioning coach was fired last night. I realize that no matter what I say, this is a stain on my name, and I’m determined to wash it out.
“If that means I have to come out of pocket for the most advanced 365 days random VADA testing available to boxers, then that’s what I’ll do.”
Jack (23-3-3, 13 KOs) is coming off a shutout decision over Blake McKernan in November.
The Las Vegas-based Swede also tweeted: “Btw … this wasn’t the first time this happened to me. Lucian Bute took steroids for our fight & now Jean Pascal. Are you so scared of a fair fight with me that y’all need to take steroids to fight me? #Cowards @lucianbute @jeanpascalchamp.”
The June 6 card will take place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Jean Pascal tested positive for PEDs, forcing Badou Jack to find a new opponent for June 6.
Badou Jack is searching for another opponent after Jean Pascal tested positive for three banned substances and was removed from the June 6 pay-per-view card featuring the exhibition between Floyd Mayweather and Logan Paul.
Yahoo Sports reported that Pascal failed tests for Drostanolone, Drostanolone Metabolite and Epitrenbolone.
The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association administered the random drug test.
Pascal, a 38-year-old secondary light heavyweight titleholder, defeated Jack by a split decision in December 2019. The French-Canadian hasn’t fought since that bout.
“My fight with @jeanpascalchamp is OFF as he tested positive for 3 different steroids. We suspected he was dirty the first time around and @Vada_testing confirmed it this time. I’m still fighting on June 6th and my team is looking for a replacement opponent.”
Pascal (35-6-1, 20 KOs) said he plans to prove that he’s not a cheater. He said he has fired his fitness trainer.
“I am shocked and embarrassed,” Pascal said in a formal statement. “I would never voluntarily take illegal substances. I’ve always fought for a clean sport and will continue to do so. I’m one of the first modern boxers to insist on random testing, and I’ve passed countless tests during my 13 years at the highest level of boxing,” Pascal stated.
“I want to assure all my fans that this is an isolated incident, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to prove it. My strength and conditioning coach was fired last night. I realize that no matter what I say, this is a stain on my name, and I’m determined to wash it out.
“If that means I have to come out of pocket for the most advanced 365 days random VADA testing available to boxers, then that’s what I’ll do.”
Jack (23-3-3, 13 KOs) is coming off a shutout decision over Blake McKernan in November.
The Las Vegas-based Swede also tweeted: “Btw … this wasn’t the first time this happened to me. Lucian Bute took steroids for our fight & now Jean Pascal. Are you so scared of a fair fight with me that y’all need to take steroids to fight me? #Cowards @lucianbute @jeanpascalchamp.”
The June 6 card will take place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Badou Jack on his rematch with Jean Pascal on June 6: “I’m going to win every round.”
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.”
Badou Jack on his rematch with Jean Pascal on June 6: “I’m going to win every round.”
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.”
Krasniqi scored a significant upset by stopping Dominic Boesel in the third round to win an “interim” title Saturday in Magdeburg, Germany.
Light heavyweight Robin Krasniqi turned his career around Saturday night.
Krasniqi, a 33-year-old who had fallen short in almost all of his biggest fights, scored a significant upset by stopping Dominic Boesel in the third round to win an “interim” title in Magdeburg, Germany.
Krasniqi (51-6, 19 KOs) put Boesel (30-2, 12 KOs) down with a big right hand in the final round. It was strangely ruled a slip by referee Oliver Brien but Boesel was clearly hurt.
Moments after Boesel was able to get to his feet he took an even bigger right hand directly to the chin, which knocked him flat on his back.
Brien stopped the fight without counting because it was clear Boesel couldn’t continue. The official time was 2:25.
Boesel entered the fight as the WBA’s No. 1-ranked contender, behind titleholder Dmitry Bivol and secondary titleholder Jean Pascal. Presumably, Krasniqi will now climb into the rankings.
Dominic Boesel (left) couldn’t recover from the huge right hand he took from Robin Krasniqi. Martin Rose / Getty Images
Krasniqi, a Munich-based native of Kosovo, lost a near-shutout decision to Nathan Cleverly in his own world title challenge in 2013.
Boesel had won six consecutive fights since he was stopped in 11 rounds by Karo Murat in 2017.
Krasniqi scored a significant upset by stopping Dominic Boesel in the third round to win an “interim” title Saturday in Magdeburg, Germany.
Light heavyweight Robin Krasniqi turned his career around Saturday night.
Krasniqi, a 33-year-old who had fallen short in almost all of his biggest fights, scored a significant upset by stopping Dominic Boesel in the third round to win an “interim” title in Magdeburg, Germany.
Krasniqi (51-6, 19 KOs) put Boesel (30-2, 12 KOs) down with a big right hand in the final round. It was strangely ruled a slip by referee Oliver Brien but Boesel was clearly hurt.
Moments after Boesel was able to get to his feet he took an even bigger right hand directly to the chin, which knocked him flat on his back.
Brien stopped the fight without counting because it was clear Boesel couldn’t continue. The official time was 2:25.
Boesel entered the fight as the WBA’s No. 1-ranked contender, behind titleholder Dmitry Bivol and secondary titleholder Jean Pascal. Presumably, Krasniqi will now climb into the rankings.
Dominic Boesel (left) couldn’t recover from the huge right hand he took from Robin Krasniqi. Martin Rose / Getty Images
Krasniqi, a Munich-based native of Kosovo, lost a near-shutout decision to Nathan Cleverly in his own world title challenge in 2013.
Boesel had won six consecutive fights since he was stopped in 11 rounds by Karo Murat in 2017.
Bernard Hopkins outpointed Jean Pascal to become the oldest ever to win a major title on this date in 2011.
The first fight between Jean Pascal and Bernard Hopkins, which ended in a majority draw, left a bad taste in the mouths of both fighters.
Pascal, the WBC light heavyweight titleholder, thought he could’ve performed better than he did because he underestimated his quadragenarian opponent in December 2010. And Hopkins, trying to become the oldest to win a world title, thought he did enough to have his hand raised even though he went down twice. Many agreed.
The second fight – on this date, May 21 – the following year at the Bell Centre in Pascal’s hometown of Montreal would settle things and give Hopkins, 46, a chance to make history.
The Executioner wasn’t the athlete he once was but, as a result of disciplined manner in which he lived, he was remarkably well preserved and never more clever or determined in the ring. Pascal, 28, was a good, strong all-around fighter with youth on his side.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kat7J_qurd8
The first few rounds were uneventful before the fighters settled into a rough, give-and-take fight in which both fighters had their moments. In end, though, Hopkins landed the more telling blows and proved difficult for Pascal to hit cleanly.
Thus, the old man won on all three cards, 115-113, 116-112 and 115-114. With the victory, Hopkins surpassed George Foreman as the oldest fighter to win a major title in boxing history. Foreman was 45 when he stopped Michael Moorer to win the heavyweight title in 1994.
“You don’t get a chance to do this too often,” Hopkins said afterward. “You’re supposed to win titles when you are younger, in your 20s, not when you are 46. This is in the top two moments of my career, right there alongside beating [Felix] Trinidad.”
Pascal didn’t complain.
“Bernard fought a great fight,” he said. “He is a great champion. He has a really good defense and a lot of tricks. I’m a young fighter and I’m green. I was a young champion. These two fights [against Hopkins] will lead me to the next level. I learned a lot from Bernard and his style.”
Of course, neither fighter was near the end of his career.
Hopkins would lose his title to Chad Dawson by a majority decision in April 2012 but, remarkably, would win another major 175-pound belt by fairly easily outpointing Tavoris Cloud the following March – at 48.
Pascal is still active at 37 and as good as he ever was. He’s coming off consecutive upsets over Marcus Browne and Badou Jack. He evidently learned something from Hopkins: Age is only a number.
Dmitry Bivol’s team issued a press release Wednesday pushing the notion that he would be an ideal candidate to face Canelo Alvarez.
Is Dmitry Bivol the best option to replace Billy Joe Saunders as Canelo Alvarez’s next opponent?
Saunders apparently hasn’t been eliminated as a potential opponent but he was suspended by British authorities for joking about domestic abuse on social media, which could cost him his dream fight.
Bivol, the polished 175-pound titleholder from Russia, would be happy to step in. His team issued a press release Wednesday pushing the notion that he would be an ideal candidate.
“I’ve said now for over a year that I’m ready, willing, and able to move down to super middleweight and fight Canelo,” said Bivol. “I have been training throughout the COVID-19 crisis and have watched on social media that Canelo has as well.”
“I know that my team and Golden Boy Promotions have discussed this option, and we are willing to make the fight on very reasonable financial terms. My team understands that unlike many other opponents, my goal is not the payday but to face the best in boxing today. I know I can beat him, and the real rewards will come after this fight.”
Said manager Vadim Kornilov, “We are willing to work out a much more reasonable deal than what was paid to Canelo’s recent opponents to make this fight. For Dmitry, it’s more about the opportunity to dethrone one of the very best fighters in the world.”
Bivol (17-0, 11 KOs) doesn’t have the name recognition Alvarez and his team would prefer but, as he and Kornilov said, they wouldn’t have to pay him as much as a more recognizable opponent and he would be perceived as a genuine threat to Alvarez, which has to appeal to the Mexican’s competitive instincts.
The highly skilled Russian has dominated one opponent after another, including Sullivan Barrera, Issac Chilemba, Jean Pascal and Joe Smith Jr. in succession in 2018 and last year.
The question is whether Bivol can drop down to 168 pounds – the weight at which they presumably would fight – and be as effective as he has been at 175.
Bivol has never weighed in at less than 173½, his weight for the Smith in March of last year. He would have to shave off 5½ pounds from that figure to make the supper middleweight limit.
If he can’t do it comfortably, he would have difficulty competing with one of the top fighters in the world pound-for-pound. If he can move down without significant problems, he could test Alvarez.
Of course, Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs) would have to want the fight.
“I have heard that DAZN and all other parties involved are supportive of this fight, but whenever the name is brought up to Canelo, he says he would never do it,” Kornilov said. “However, I don’t know how much truth there is to this. It would be great to know if he is ready to fight other top champions in his division that are on the same network and are ready to make a simple and appropriate deal as there are not that many of them. I strongly believe that Dmitry Bivol at super middleweight is the toughest test for Canelo.”
Said Andrei Ryabinsky, head of the Russian promotional firm World of Boxing, “Dmitry wants to fight the best, and Canelo is all the way at the top of that list right now. This fight will have to happen sooner or later; the fans want to see a fight where Canelo will really be tested.”
Callum Smith, a 168-pound titleholder, also has been mentioned as a potential opponent for Alvarez.
Boxing Junkie staffers are trying to have some fun while the sport is on hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic. One of the questions fans love to ask even amid a busy schedule is, “Who would win if …?” With that in mind, we decided to create …
Boxing Junkie staffers are trying to have some fun while the sport is on hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic.
One of the questions fans love to ask even amid a busy schedule is, “Who would win if …?” With that in mind, we decided to create our own “Who Wins?” feature, in which we pit a single fighter against each of five potential opponents and indicate who we believe would win the fights.
In this installment of Who Wins?, our staffers’ give their takes on how Beterbiev would do against Dmitry Bivol, Jean Pascal, Gilberto Ramirez, Badou Jack and Canelo Alvarez. We then tally Beterbiev’s record in those fights and present our standings.
Beterbiev has built a reputation as a capable boxer with uncommon strength, as his 100% knockout percentage suggests. He unleashed his full destructive power in his most-recent fight, breaking down and then brutally stopping then-unnbeaten Oleksandr Gvozdyk in the 10th round in October.
We want to acknowledge that the choice of possible opponents is subjective. We’re looking for the best possible but also realistic foes for our featured boxers. One caveat: We won’t consider promotional and managerial rivalries that often stand in the way of the best matchups. And we’re operating under the assumption that none of our featured boxers will fight with ring rust as result of their forced coronavirus-related layoff.
The plan is to work our way down our pound-for-pound list each day. That means our featured fighter tomorrow will be No. 12 Josh Taylor.
So here goes: Beterbiev vs. his five potential opponents.
***
BETERBIEV (15-0, 15 KOs) VS. BIVOL (17-0, 11 KOs)
Dmitriy Bivol (left, against Lenin Castillo) has a series of quality victories the past few years. Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing USA
Rosenthal: This could be Beterbiev’s most-difficult fight. Bivol has demonstrated his superior skill set against one quality opponent after another the past few years. He’s an excellent boxer, maybe good enough to expose whatever limitations Beterbiev might have. The question is whether he can weather the Beterbiev storm for 12 rounds. The guess here is he can’t. Beterbiev by late KO.
Frauenheim: Bivol is technically proficient. He knows his way around, moving across the ring on educated feet that take him in and out of harm’s way. But he lacks power, or at least enough of it to keep the heavy-handed Bertebiev off him. Beterbiev cuts off ring and wins by a late-round stoppage.
Nam: Dmitry Bivol has the discipline, conditioning and quickness to outpoint Beterbiev, which is what you need to do against a bruiser like Beterbiev. It won’t be an aesthetically pleasing fight, but Bivol’s effective in-and-out motion will see him win the majority of rounds. As long as he can wade through a few big punches, Bivol wins on points.
***
BETERBIEV VS. PASCAL (35-6-1, 20 KOs)
Jean Pascal resurrected his career as an elite fighter by beating Badou Jack. Amanda Westcott / Showtime
Rosenthal: Pascal deserves a lot of credit for beating Marcus Browne and Badou Jack in succession, which made him a major player again after many had written him off. That doesn’t mean the 37-year-old can compete with Beterbiev. He can’t. Pacal relies on his power to win fights and he simply doesn’t measure up to Beterbiev in that department. Beterbiev by sixth-round KO.
Frauenheim: Pascal fought his way back into the title mix with victories over Marcus Browne and Badou Jack. He’s athletic. But his record includes tough bouts against the best at 175 pounds, everybody from Sergey Kovalev to Bernard Hopkins. Wear and tear are evident, too much to withstand Beterbiev for 12 rounds. Beterbiev, late stoppage.
Nam: Pacal is riding an impressive two-fight win streak over top light heavyweight contenders Marcus Browne and Badou Jack, but against Beterbiev he will be fresh out of luck. The only chance is for Pascal to land his unorthodox overhand right. But if Beterbiev, whose chin has prompted some questions in the past, evades them, he will batter the veteran into submission before the sixth round.
***
BETERBIEV VS. RAMIREZ (40-0, 26 KOs)
Gilberto Ramirez (right, against Maxim Bursak) has some quality victories but hasn’t faced anyone like Artur Beterbiev. AP Photo / Mark J. Terrill
Rosenthal: Ramirez has a gaudy record, including a reign as a super middleweight titleholder. That’s impressive. However, the lanky Mexican — who has fought only once at 175 pounds — has neither neither the special skill set nor the punching power to cope with a beast like Beterbiev. Ramirez will have some success early but he’ll eventually wilt under the weight of Beterbiev’s punches and not reach the final bell.
Frauenheim: Ramirez, longtime super middleweight champ, has fought only once at light heavyweight. In April, he stopped Tommy Karpency, who came into the ring with seven losses. Ramirez hasn’t fought since. He looked comfortable in his debut. But his long upper-body is a big target for Beterbiev’s lethal right. Beterbiev, middle-round stoppage.
Nam: Ramirez is talented but his inactivity and inexperience at light heavyweight makes him a considerable underdog here. The southpaw is effective at both distance and range, but the latter will quicken his demise. Beterbiev will bully Ramirez en route to a late stoppage.
***
BETERBIEV VS. JACK (22-3-3, 13 KOs)
Badou Jack (right) fought Jean Pascal on even terms but came up short on the cards. Amanda Westcott / Showtime
Rosenthal: This could be Beterbiev’s toughest fight among the five here. Jack doesn’t have unusual punching power but he’s a clever boxer with a load of experience at the highest level. He might be good and resilient enough to give Beterbiev problems — for a while. Beterbiev will take firm control in the middle rounds, wear Jack down and win a clear decision.
Frauenheim: Jack is tough. He’s also scarred. He needed about 100 stitches for forehead gash suffered in loss to Browne. There was no rupture of the scar in a subsequent loss to Pascal. But Beterbiev’s right lands at higher velocity and with heavier impact than anything thrown by Pascal. Beterbiev wins a punishing, perhaps bloody decision.
Nam: Jack’s tendency to start slowly and waffle his way to split-decision losses and draws makes him especially vulnerable here. Beterbiev stops Jack before the final bell.
***
BETERBIEV VS. ALVAREZ (52-1-2, 36 KOs)
Canelo Alvarez (left) had trouble with Sergey Kovalev for much of their fight and Beterbiev would be a step up in opposition. Ethan Miller / Getty Images
Rosenthal: This fantasy fight would not end well for Alvarez. The Mexican superstar had enough trouble with a faded Kovalev before finally stopping him in the 11th round to win a light heavyweight title. Beterbiev is well-schooled, unusually strong 175-pounder in his prime. Alvarez was smart to move back down in weight. Beterbiev by eighth-round KO.
Frauenheim: A fight the public wants to see. For a while, it also sounded as if it were a fight that Canelo would do. But he quickly backtracked, relinquishing the light heavyweight belt he won by KO over Kovalev. Canelo sees in Beterbiev what everyone else has. Nobody at 175 pounds can beat him right now. Beterbiev, unanimous decision.
Nam: Don’t expect Alvarez to challenge Beterbiev anytime soon. The Russian is a bridge too far. Moreover, Alvarez is not a true light heavyweight despite his stoppage of Sergey Kovalev, who was, of course, washed up. Alvarez’s elite skills will only get him so far before Beterbiev mauls him to the canvas for a late stoppage.
Jean Pascal had planned to be training in Miami for a rematch with Badou Jack but instead is in quarantine in Canada.
Jean Pascal planned to be in the gym. Instead, he went into quarantine.
In another example of a world paralyzed by a pandemic, Pascal went to Miami to begin training for a possible rematch with Badou Jack. He wanted to be ready. He planned on getting an early start. But coronavirus did to Pascal what it has been doing to everyone else. It put plans on hold.
Pascal arrived in Miami just as the threat began to force border closures. Pascal, who had hoped to train in south Florida for two weeks before moving into a camp in Puerto Rico, decided to go home to Quebec.
Instead of two weeks of training, he got two weeks of quarantine.
“They closed the borders,’’ Pascal told The Montreal Journal. “So I decided to come home wisely.”
Two weeks of quarantine is the Canadian recommendation for returning citizens. Pascal complied.
“I’m in quarantine, but my daughter Angel is not with me,’’ he said. “She will stay with my aunt for the duration of my confinement.”
Still, Pascal is frustrated.
“It is a waste of money because we paid for plane tickets, hotel rooms and food,’’ he said. “It’s a shame to come home and start from scratch. In a case where there is a cancellation due to an injury, we already have another fixed date. Because of this virus, we have no idea what will happen next. I don’t know if I’m going to go back to the ring in June, July or fall.’’
Pascal (35-6-1, 20 KOs) won a split decision over Jack (22-3-3, 13 KOs) for a light heavyweight title on Dec. 28 in Atlanta. It was controversial. A rematch looked inevitable.
“I did not yet have a fixed date for my next fight,” Pascal said. “However, I knew I was going to get back in the ring before the start of the summer.’’
Now, Pascal will wait.
“When I have a date, I am able to align my mind according to that,’’ he said. “Since it’s all in the air, it’s hard to keep motivated for training. It is especially hard to stay motivated in the chaos we are experiencing at the moment. I would find myself a little selfish to be so hungry, given that people are dying and many others are sick.”
