Boxing News Boxing News
Tonight at the Bell Centre in Montreal, local hero Jean Pascal defends his WBC light heavyweight belt against former WBC and IBF champ Chad Dawson.
The occasion marks the first time in over two years and four bouts that Dawson, 29-0 (17), has faced an opponent under the age of 40 after two bouts each against former world champs Glen Johnson and Antonio Tarver.
Pascal, 25-1 (16), comes into the bout riding a four bout win streak after losing a WBC super middle title grab against Carl Froch, picking up the WBC light heavy crown with a UD over Adrian Diaconu last year and has since made two successful defenses.
Dawson is the taller of the two fighters and will have a massive reach advantage over the Canadian, who must close distance if he is to engage his rival on equal terms.
If Pascal can take away Dawson’s mobility via bodyshots or forcing the American into a faster paced bout than Dawson is comfortable with, “Bad Chad” will have to slug it out, which would be to the champion’s advantage.
But Dawson will likely keep a healthy distance from Pascal while looking to punish any forays into the inside with lashing southpaw counters.
If Dawson can force his slower paced boxing style upon Pascal and stay out of the trenches, he’ll have a good chance of regaining the WBC crown.
To keep the title, Pascal will need to cut off the ring and slip the jab of the challenger, forcing engagements and outworking Dawson from the outset of the fight.
