Main Events and InterBox are proud to offer to boxing fans a quality card with a championship flair this January 30 at the Bell Centre. The event, which will feature the unified light heavyweight world championship grudge match between WBA, WBO and IBF title holder Sergey Kovalev and former world champion Jean Pascal, will also put two other titles on the line : Dmitry Mikhaylenko against Ray Robinson for the USBA welterweight belt as well as Renan St-Juste against Francis Lafrenière for the International IBF middleweight title.
Former light heavyweight world champion Jean Pascal, has stated that he has fixed the flaws that cost him his first fight with WBA/WBO/IBF 175 champion Sergey Kovalev, and that his hook up with esteemed trainer Freddie Roach will be the difference maker in their Jan. 30 rematch.
Pascal was stopped by Kovalev in 8 rounds back in March before going on to a controversial decision victory over Yunieski Gonzalez in July, yet claims that now he has the wisdom of Roach in the corner, he will be ready to effect a different strategy when Kovalev returns to his Quebec backyard next month.
Although the fight is still two months away, there was already tension between unified light heavyweight title holder Sergey Kovalev and former world champion Jean Pascal at Monday’s press conference held at Bell Centre’s La Cage – Brasserie Sportive. Main Events and InterBox formally announce the rematch for the Unified WBO, WBA and IBF Light Heavyweight World Championship set to take place on Saturday, January 30 at Bell Centre. The event will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.
Canadian former world light heavyweight champ, Jean Pascal is to employ the services of esteemed Wild Card trainer, Freddie Roach ahead of his January rematch with dangerous Russian banger, Sergey Kovalev.
Pascal was stopped by WBO/WBA/IBF champ, Kovalev, back in March, and has since gone on to win a highly controversial decision over Cuba’s Yunieski Gonzalez back in June, a performance that made the former WBC 175 lb boss consider a change of direction from long-time cornerman, Marc Ramsay, who had guided his pro career since day one.
After his November homecoming was cancelled, it’s looking increasingly likely that Russian WBA/WBO/IBF light heavyweight champion, Sergey Kovalev, will rematch Canada’s Jean Pascal on Jan. 30 instead.
The plan is for the Pascal rematch to be the first of a 3-fight schedule that will culminate in a clash with Oakland’s unbeaten P4P star Andre Ward later next year – himself set to embark on a similar deal on HBO, ostensibly beginning on next month’s Cotto/Canelo undercard.
The best compliments concerning Sergey “The Krusher” Kovalev come from a very knowledgeable source. A fighter could not ask for a more creditable person. It’s none other than Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins. The boxing hall of fame just wishes he would retire so they can induct him into a place of honor. He’s fought them all, done it all, and knows it all. When he speaks we listen, even if he sometimes rambles and gets off track. When it comes to The Krusher, Bernard doesn’t roam or traipse off target a bit. Without hesitation he described The Krusher in simple, but glowing terms.
Hopkins tells us that The Krusher is a destroyer. Bernard tells us he punches with tremendous power. HBO’s Jim Lampley asked if you feel his power? Bernard said yes, you feel one or two and then you don’t feel the rest!
Saturday’s HBO World Championship Boxing doubleheader telecast begins at 10:00 p.m. (ET/PT).
Opening up the telecast from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada pits Jean Pascal vs. Yuniesky Gonzalez in a 10-round light heavyweight attraction. The main event features light heavyweight champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev defending his titles against challenger Nadjib Mohammedi for 12 rounds.
(Photo Credit: David Spagnolo/Main Events) Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev stopped the unstoppable Jean Pascal, but not before Pascal gave him his toughest fight to date. Pascal’s hometown capacity crowd at the Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada were in shock when, in the eighth round, Referee Luis Pabon waived an end to Pascal valiant efforts to continue. Loyal Pascal fans were muted as they witnessed Kovalev’s powerful and efficient dispatch of their hero.
As loyal as they are to Pascal, they were obliged to respect Krusher. He had vanquished their champion. He did it by overcoming, overpowering and quashing all Pascal had to offer, which was considerable. His victory came with a price in the form of some bumps and bruises, but the Krusher proved yet again that he is a helluva fighter. Ringside analyst Bernard” Alien” Hopkins explained that Sergey continues to improve with each fight, adding “That’s scary!”
Kovalev defended his WBO, WBA Super and IBF light heavyweight titles with a substandard performance vs. a durable but technically and tactically bridled strongman. Both competitors were one-dimensional in their own way and showed little capacity or tendency to adapt or at least modify their efforts according to the flow of battle. Pascal had not been stopped or knocked down as a pro and was expected give the “Krusher” a run for his money.
Round 1: Kovalev moved forward in a straight line trying to walk down Jean Pascal to the ropes or to get him to fight. Pascal would not take the fight and bounced around ducking low whenever he felt threatened. Kovalev did not advance indiscriminately, his basic skills are rock-steady and he is very particular in observing range. He does not care too much about the opponent’s range; he is preoccupied with his own comfort zone as he is tall and has long arms. If he is in range, the opponent often isn’t and when the opponent tries to get close, Kovalev’s best defense is his frontal punch power. Pascal was met by rapid fire upstairs and downstairs whenever he tried to get into position. His rally in the end of the round was more of distress call than a serious attack.