Boxing Spotlight: Jean “The Marvelous” Pascal Takes On Bernard Hopkins

© Jose Espinoza / Saddo Boxing

Short Audio Interview: [audio:Jean.mp3]

There are occasions when a writer feels compelled to compare a current athlete with an all-time great. Looking at Jean Pascal’s career so far and his potential in the future; I can’t help but be reminiscent as I see in the Pascal the same charisma, ambition and elegance in the ring as the preeminent Marvin Hagler.

Pascal will face a 45 year old, Bernard Hopkins, in Quebec City on December 18th, 2010. The fight has created an atmosphere of excitement in the province that has not been seen since 1980 when Roberto Duran faced Sugar Ray Leonard at the Olympic Stadium. Faced with such an experienced opponent, Pascal will have to channel his inner Hagler to meet the challenge from Hopkins.

The Comparison:

Hagler won 57 fights as an amateur and in 1973; he became the Amateur Athletic Union middleweight champion. As for Pascal, his record as an amateur stands at 103 wins with 18 losses. He became the Canadian amateur champion seven times from 1998 to 2004 and he even joined the Canadian national boxing team. Both these fighters have had exceptional careers in the amateurs before turning to the professional ranks.

Early in his career, Hagler established himself as a talented an ambitious fighter by winning his first 26 fights (19 by knockout) and taking on the best fighters of his era, such as Jimmy Owens, Roberto Duran and Sugar Ray Leonard.

Pascal’s current record stands at 26 wins with only 1 loss and 16 knockouts. Among his best attributes is his ability to change his fighting style according to the fighter he faces.

Against Carl Froch, Pascal became a slugger who gave as good he got. Against Chad Dawson, Pascal was a more technical fighter who wore down his opponent and capitalized in the 11th round. Both fighters can be described as talented and charismatic but what sets them apart is their willingness to face the best that is out there.

During in interview, Pascal told SaddoBoxing that his goal is to become the best pound-for-pound fighter in his division. I asked him if it took much convincing to get Hopkins to fight him in Quebec and Pascal responded: “I told Yvon Michel (Pascal’s promoter) that I wanted to fight the best and I gave him a list of names. Hopkins was made aware that I wanted to fight him and he said okay; let’s give the kid a shot.”

In the last two years, Pascal has faced Chad Dawson, Adrian Dianocu (two times), Carl Froch and Silvio Branco to name a few. He is a determined fighter who is constantly looking for the best fighter’s out there. Even Bernard Hopkins, at the Montreal Press-Conference, told the media that Jean Pascal will be a difficult opponent because of his youth and ambition.

Another factor that links Pascal to Hagler is their power and speed in the ring. Hagler was masterful at conditioning his opponents to fight a certain technical style and then turning on them with his power.

Pascal has proven against Diaconu and Dawson that he employs that same rhythm that mystifies and disorients fighters. Pascal’s ability to destroy his opponents with a hard right reminds me of Hagler’s deadly left uppercut and hook that has left many of his opponents on the canvas.

While it is true that Pascal is a light heavyweight and Hagler was a middleweight fighter; they both have that swagger and elegance that comes around rarely in a generation. It is that will and confidence that transforms a fighters from successful to exceptional. Pascal still has a long way to go before he can be compared with the best in this sport; however, his development so far has reached all expectations.

The Fight:

As Hopkins spoke for the first time about facing Pascal, he said: “Everyone knows I don’t like to travel outside of the United States to fight, but here we have another fresh face, who happens to be the light heavyweight champion, calling my name.”

Hopkins is fighting for the first time in his career as a professional outside the US, and there is good reason for that; a last shot at the Ring Magazine Title.

It’s a title that Hopkins has been after for some time now and he is understands that his time is almost up; he doesn’t have the same speed or power to contend with Pascal but he has experience. In his last fight, Hopkins took on a diminutive Roy Jones Jr. who took him to the limit.

His experience in the ring allows Hopkins to slow down the pace and control his opponents to a manageable rhythm. Against Pascal, Hopkins will not be able to manage the fight because Pascal will be looking to make a statement. This is Pascal’s chance to be taken seriously and shut down all the questions that people still have about him.

This fight will be broadcast in America for free on Showtime. Oscar De La Hoya said that the agreements made would provide a free weekend of Showtime that will enable over 60 million boxing fans to view this fight.

One of the most memorable fights to happen on Showtime includes a 1986 bout; when Marvin “The Marvelous” Hagler defeated John Mugali. I suspect that history will repeat in December and Jean “The Marvelous” Pascal will come out victorious against an aging and not as dominant Bernard Hopkins.