Boxing In Canada: Rueben Williams To Challenge Jean Pascal In Montreal June 8

IBA & NBA super middleweight champion Rubin “Hollywood” Williams goes right into NABO 168-pound title-holder Jean Pascal’s backyard on June 8 to fight for Pascal’s NABO belt, as well as the vacant NABA & NABF championships, at the Uniprix Stadium in Montreal.

Williams (29-1-1, 16 KOs), rated No. 27 by the WBC, is coming off a thrilling 12-round draw with Antwun Echols on January 12. 2004 Canadian Olympian Pascal (16-0, 12 KOs), rated No. 8 by the WBO and No. 9 by the WBC, is a native of Haiti who moved years ago with his family to Quebec.

“I don’t know too much about Pascal other than he was an Olympian and he’s a speedy, fast guy,” Williams said. “‘Hollywood’ is going to knock him out. This fight I’m going to be a brawler, not a boxer, and I’m looking forward to it. I hope that he brawls, too, so we can really entertain the people. I’m a little concerned about fighting him there. We’re supposed to have a neutral referee and a neutral judge to go with an American and Canadian. I’ll be satisfied with that.

“I’m not a belt collector. They just put ’em up and I fight for them. I’m hoping an impressive win will get me another world title shot. I fought valiantly (as a late replacement) against (Jeff) Lacy for the IBF title (LTKO7). After that fight I was supposed to fight Markus Beyer and Mikkel Kessler, but they fell through and I was having promotional and managerial problems for a while. I’m with Silverhawk now.

“I sparred with Edison Miranda in Puerto Rico and I’ve been in Florida (Vero Beach) sparring with the Dirrell brothers (Andre and Anthony) and Ronald Hearns before they had to leave for their fights. I’m getting good sparring now from Damon McCreary. I’m going to be ready to put on a show June 8.”

For more information about Silverhawk Boxing or any of its fighters go to www.silverhawkboxing.com.