Jean Pascal-Bernard Hopkins press tour kicks off
Unified light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal and Bernard Hopkins have met to promote their upcoming 18 December title fight in Quebec City, Quebec.
In a three-day tour to promote the fight, Pascal and Hopkins shared words and glances in Quebec City and Montreal. They will continue to Toronto and New York City on Wednesday.
Hopkins appeared reverent of the Canadian boxing scene and Montreal fans in particular, but said that he was going to "school" the younger Pascal and give him an "apple" for his efforts.
"Here in Montreal, you like boxing and big events," Hopkins said. And I understand you. There is nothing like boxing. There's nothing like hearing the crowd scream when walking to the ring. Personally, I am motivated by history [...] I will stop only when
I am no longer able to make history. Jean Pascal is an excellent boxer. He is the champion. He is recognized by
The Ring Magazine as the best, and that's why I want to fight [him]. Jean Pascal is perhaps the future of boxing, but I am both past and present. I'm the one who is currently in boxing history."
In response to his comments, Pascal insinuated that Hopkins belonged to a bygone era, and said that he was the future of boxing. In a nice bit of wit, Pascal added that he has always been a "great" student in school, and displayed an authentic diploma to
signal "passing" Hopkins’s class.
"He wants to school me, but I've been to college," Pascal confirmed. "If you want to teach me, I hope you're a good teacher. I know you're dangerous. I know you're deadly, but dirty. That's three D's in class. You failed the class, Bernard."
Pascal is coming off a dominating performance after beating Chad Dawson at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Going into the fight, Dawson was the heavy favorite and was considered to be one of the best American fighters in the world today.
Hopkins fought long-time rival Roy Jones Jr. in April in a messy brawl of a fight, with neither fighter looking spectacular. While Hopkins earned a win, he'll be looking for something more praise-worthy and historical.
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