By James Slater: Former light-heavyweight king Jean Pascal knows firsthand how tough former two-time WBC 168-pound ruler Carl Froch is. Back in December of 2008, Pascal and Froch went to war in a classic modern day thriller. Froch won the battle, yet the two had a verbal agreement to meet again in a rematch, and Pascal is to be a very interested observer of “The Cobra’s” upcoming, May 26th showdown with Lucian Bute.
Pascal, speaking with CyberPresse, said he made the mistake of fighting Froch’s fight when the two met in Nottingham just over three years ago, and he is urging the unbeaten IBF champ to make sure he does not make the same mistake.
“The mistake I made against Froch, was that I fought his way instead of boxing my way,” Pascal told the Canadian web site. “ I went to war. To beat Froch, [you] should not go to war. You have to be technical and tactical because Froch, when he goes to war, he is in his element.
“Bute certainly appears to have the tools to fight Froch. However, Froch also has the tools to fight Bute. It’s a very difficult fight to predict. Bute will not be used to getting hit so hard by Froch, I know it will hurt. I know it will hurt because it hurt me.”
Pascal went on to say he will stand behind his fellow Quebecer and that he hopes Bute can bring the belt back home to Canada with him. But Pascal, who hopes to be at ringside for the May clash, also warned Bute of the hostile crowd he can expect. Pascal said that it can be intimidating when there are “10,000 hooligans shouting the name of Froch” (Froch fans are not hooligans; hopefully this was simply a case of misinterpretation on the part of the classy Pascal) – yet, as fans may have read, there could be a whole lot more than 10,000 fans in attendance for the big fight: what with promoter Eddie Hearn stating that the demand for the fight has been that big, a bigger, outdoor venue may be required.
Will the atmosphere and the sheer vocal support for Froch get to Bute? It’s possible; after all, “La Tombeur” has hardly ever fought outside of Canada before. Both men should be expecting a savage, possibly ageing fight on May 26th! And right there waiting for the winner will be Pascal.
Pascal, by the way, will be out of action until June, after falling and hurting his right shoulder in a recent ice hockey game – so reports Dan Rafael of ESPN.com. No stranger to injury, it is hoped the exciting 29-year-old with the 26-2-1(16) pro record will not suffer due to excessive inactivity.
Pascal-Bute would be a massive deal and a great fight, as would Pascal-Froch II.