Jean Pascal thinks boxing legend Bernard Hopkins disrespected him
Jean Pascal believes Bernard Hopkins disrespected him in his country and will look to earn his respect when they clash on December 18.
The unified light heavyweight boxing champion and the long-time legend will face off at the Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec City, in a bout that will be featured on Showtime just six days before Christmas.
The two concluded a three-day press tour in New York City promoting the fight, with Pascal revealing that Hopkins had disrespected him only a day before in Quebec City and Montreal, Canada.
"Bernard came in my country the last two days, and he disrespected me in front of my people. And [...] I won’t disrespect him in his country because my mom taught me to always respect my elders, and he is way older than me."
While the two fighters both seemed modest and a bit fatigued in New York, Hopkins took to the podium for a much longer period than Pascal, reversing the pattern of earlier days.
With characteristic flair and wit Hopkins spoke about how the fight was made and fell back on the theme that has underscored the tour, his age versus Pascal’s youth. He joked that when Pascal called him out after defeating Chad Dawson, he was at home in
his rocking chair and the words made him "...rock a little faster and call his trainer." The comments received a laugh amongst the crowd.
Pascal furthered themes by saying he has nothing to prove in the upcoming fight, and that the burden of demonstration would be on Hopkins, who is fighting to defy history. Should Hopkins win against Pascal it will be a tremendous victory for him at 46,
while a definitive loss would likely point toward his retirement from the sport.
Hopkins has virtually made a career out of upsetting younger, more valued fighters. In 2008, at the age of 44, he handed former middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik his first defeat in a match that awed the boxing world.
Tags: