By James Slater: If world light-heavyweight king Bernard Hopkins does as most experts feel he will and defeats the much younger Chad Dawson in their upcoming October 15th bout, there is a good chance we could see a Hopkins-Jean Pascal III.
According to Fox Sports, Pascal’s promoter Yvonne Michel said yesterday that HBO told him that now that all talks regarding a possible Pascal-Tavoris Cloud match-up have fallen through (for the time being at least), Pascal is in line to face the winner of B-Hop and “Bad” Chad. Reportedly, the former 175-pound king who has a loss and a draw Vs. Hopkins and a TD win Vs. Dawson, would get his chance some time in 2012.
But would the fans get excited about a Hopkins-Dawson III?
Pascal, an exciting fighter, had his moments against the amazing, ageless Philly wonder in the first fight, back in December of last year, even scoring two knockdowns in the 12-rounder, but he was totally outclassed in the May 2011 return; losing a unanimous decision. In light of this, it’s hard to get excited about a possible third bout in this particular series. Hopkins, despite his age, simply has Pascal’s number, and he is way too clever for him. A third fight if it happened, would almost certainly result in another points win for “The Executioner.”
Far better in terms if action, would be a second clash between Pascal and southpaw Dawson. It was a big upset when Pascal proved too strong, too determined and too powerful for Dawson back in August of last year, yet Dawson is of the belief that the Haitian-born warrior got lucky. Dawson has wanted a shot at revenge ever since picking up his lone pro set back. I’m pretty sure, if Dawson manages to make B-Hop feel his age on the way to defeating him, the fans would welcome the idea of Dawson making the first defence of his title against Pascal next year.
But can Dawson upset Hopkins?
Hopkins is bound to start acting his age one day, and who knows, it could be in the October fight that it happens. But don’t count on it! Fans and experts alike have long since ceased trying to predict the demise of the man who will turn 47 next January.
So, if HBO has the final say, we could be seeing Hopkins-Pascal III some time in 2012. Pascal has a date up on Boxrec first (Dec. 12th in Montreal, against a TBA), but after that fight, if it happens and assuming he wins, the Canadian hero could be locking horns with Hopkins once again.