Hopkins and Pascal finally set to fight
For weeks, fight fans have been looking forward to a public confirmation of the December 18 light heavyweight fight between champion Jean Pascal and legend Bernard Hopkins. Well, it has been confirmed by Pascal’s promoter, Yvon Michel, that the contracts
have been signed. The bout will take place at the Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec City.
"I was told by [Golden Boy Promotions CEO] Richard Schaefer that Bernard Hopkins has signed his contract, and that he has received that agreement today," Michel said. "Me, I had already received Jean Pascal's agreement yesterday. So, tomorrow morning, we
will execute our agreement together and then, the fight will become official."
Pascal, who holds the WBC/IBO/Ring belts, will seek to introduce a new generation of elite fighters while Hopkins, 45, will look to make history by defeating Pascal. Hopkins brings with him an extraordinary decorated career in the middleweight and light
heavyweight divisions. With a win he would be comparable to George Foreman, who won the heavyweight title at 45.
Michel offered a bit of insight into the stakes for the bout, stating that “Bernard Hopkins is a living legend, and I know that a lot of people believe that Bernard Hopkins is too much for Jean Pascal right now. But this is a fight that will prove how great
Jean Pascal is.”
Pascal is coming off a spectacular victory over American Chad Dawson. Dawson was undefeated before his Montreal bout with Pascal and considered by most to be the best light heavyweight in the world. He had previously beaten superstars like Antonio Tarver
and Tomasz Adamek. But in the bout with Pascal, Dawson faltered and was not able to capitalize, allowing Pascal to prove himself as a class fighter and opportunist.
Hopkins is officially the underdog for the fight, but the numbers are misleading. Remember, this is a guy that has made an entire career of beating the odds.
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