On Saturday, December 6, the main event in boxing proved to be the one sided fight between Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya. However, in Nottingham, England, one of the very best bouts of the year took place.

Jean Pascal of Montreal lost a unanimous 12 round decision to Carl Froch, in a contest that surpassed expectations for the vacant WBC Super Middleweight title.

Both Pascal and Froch entered the ring as unbeaten champions. Both had strong collateral to their names, Pascal had the prestigious NABF title while Froch held the respected Commonwealth Championship. After the fight, Froch called out Calzaghe, the previous owner of the WBC belt, in hopes of luring him out of retirement and having a lucrative super fight.

However, the reality of the matter is that Froch will probably meet Jermain Taylor or Lucien Bute as his next opponent. At the other corner, Pascal looked stunned by the judgeʼs decision. This loss cost Pascal a shot at Jermain Taylor, the WBC belt and the possible money associated with a victory. When Pascal arrived in Montreal, the fans were waiting for him and cheered him on. In fact, the city rallied behind Pascal, whoʼs future looks hopeful.

With a record of 21 victories and one loss, Pascal is still one of the worldʼs best super middleweights. Letʼs face it, Pascal fought well and was able to score some damaging left hooks and solid rights over the low left hand of Froch.

Pascal had never faced a fighter who threw the kind of hard and accurate punches that Froch is known for. Pascal took the sort of punches that would surely have finished off most fighters, but he kept coming back, fighting until the bitter end.

There are a great number of Canadians who have fought in Britain over the years and had difficulty in winning there. Boxers like Archie Moore, Earl Walls, Marshall Buttler and now Jean Pascal, who were praised for their fighting ability but had little success in the UK.

Speaking with local media, Pascal says he is now looking forward to his next fight and does admit he learned a great deal from his loss in Nottingham. The people of Montreal are very supportive of Pascal, who many believe will be a world champion one day. The media in Quebec believe that itʼs only a matter of time before Pascal has another chance at a big match for a world championship belt.

Although Jean Pascal could not join Montrealʼs Lucien Bute as a titleholder in the division, he has earned the respect of the boxing world and more importantly, the knowledge that he can go head to head with Carl Froch, one of the best fighters in the division.

Whatʼs next for Pascal? The media has been speculating about fights against Edison Miranda, Fulgencio Zuniga and even Librado Andrade. The reality of the matter is that Pascal will probably face someone like Peter Manfredo Jr, in his next bout.

However it works out, Jean Pascal is a name you should remember, he will most likely be a world champion in the next few years and should win the Overseas Fighter of the Year award next year.

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