Bernard Hopkins and Jean Pascal to fight
WBC/IBO/Ring Magazine light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal will be taking on boxing legend Bernard Hopkins in a championship bout before his contractual rematch with Chad Dawson.
Hopkins, who has held titles in three divisions, confirmed that he reached a deal to fight champion Pascal on 18 December. First reports suggested the two would face off at the Bell Centre in Montreal, while boxing writer Dan Rafael confirms the bout will be in Quebec City.
Hopkins said: “Montreal here I come. I will leave with the belts.”
He also spoke about terms. “We agreed on everything. There is no issue. There is no problem with my side or Pascal's side. The contracts have been drafted. It's a done deal. All I gotta do is sign."
Hopkins is known as a ‘fighter’s fighter,’ who generally cares little for contract preferences and prefers simply to fight for love of the sport.
Richard Schaefer, rubbing his hands in excited anticipation for the fight, said: “The fact is that both sides have agreed to the terms. Now we have to get it signed, but I don't anticipate any problems.” He continued: “Both fighters really wanted the fight. If you have two fighters who really want to fight each other then I think the promoters just have to cross the T's and dot the I's. I am excited to work with [Pascal promoter] Yvon Michel. I'm really looking forward to it."
HBO announced it will not be televising events in December, which leaves two options for broadcasting the bout: Showtime or pay-per-view. Schaefer said that he would prefer a deal with Showtime. He speculated that it would be a great buy for the broadcasting company, since the winner, especially if Pascal, would emerge as a logical opponent to face the winner of Showtime’s current Super Six Classic Boxing tournament.
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