Boxing In Canada: Tensions Mount Between Diaconu And Pascal

With only 10 short days to go before fight night, tension is starting to mount in the camps of WBC World Light Heavyweight champion Adrian Diaconu (25-0, 15KO) and Jean Pascal (22-1,15KO) from Laval.

Both local boxers will meet at the Montreal Bell Centre on June 19th 2009 to dispute the crown of new King of the Light Heavies in Canada.

With Versus Network cameras rolling, the atmosphere at the Arena will certainly be electric as boxing fans have been looking forward to this bout for weeks now.

Since today marks Adrian’s 31st Birthday, Jean Pascal had some choice words for the Champion in a radio interview from his training camp facilities in Florida.

“For his birthday I will give Adrian one gift and I will take one away. The first I will hand deliver to him at the Press Conference next week. Then, after I win the fight on June 19th, I will take away the belt that the WBC gave him as a gift when they declared him Light Heavyweight champion last year.”

Stephane Larouche, head trainer for InterBox, quickly retorted. “I will forward your message to Adrian personally. He will certainly find it interesting. He is in training camp in Montreal because he has all the resources he needs right here in his home City.

“Pascal can say what he wants, but he submitted himself to a so-called sophisticated training camp in Arizona for his bout against Froch last year and he still showed lack of energy for the last 7 rounds!” adds Larouche.

As recently announced, the semi-final bout of the June 19th Gala will showcase a 10-round Cruiserweight bout between popular Ontario boxer and latest “The Contender” winner Troy Ross (21-1-0, 15KO).

Ross represented Canada at two Olympic Games (Atlanta in 1996 and Sydney in 2000). His opponent will be durable American boxing veteran Michael Simms (20-10-1, 13KO), who was an amateur World champion.

Simms has been boxing pro since 2000, has laced the gloves against some of the best boxers in his division, and has never been stopped before the final bell.

In order to prepare for the durable Simms, Ross retained the sparring services of Quebec’s Adonis “Superman” Stevenson (12-0-0, 9KO) in order to perfect his training in Toronto.

Simms has been in Montreal for several weeks now as the chief sparring partner of Adrian Diaconu, so he should be well prepared for his Bell Centre rendez-vous with Ross.

To complete the card, InterBox and GYM will present 4 bouts featuring some of the best up and coming boxers in Canada.

At middleweight, Montreal prodigy David Lemieux (15-0-0, 15KO) will attempt to record his 16th straight KO since turning pro, which would establish a new record in Canada. His opponent will be 2008 Mexican champion Martin “Azteka” Avila (9-5-0, 3KO) over 8 rounds.

The always explosive Sébastien Gauthier (17-1-0, 12KO) from St-Jerome will face Mario Macias
(14-3-0, 7KO) from Mexico City in an 8-round Bantamweight clash. Macias should present a
good test for Gauthier as he has won his last 9 fights in Mexico.

Quebec City will be well represented as two of their best talents will showcase their skills on
June 19th.

Former 7-time Canadian Amateur champion Kevin Bizier (4-0-0, 3KO) will enter the
Bell Centre ring against Mexican veteran Cesar Soriano (19-23-0, 13KO) in a Light Middleweight
bout. Soriano has never been stopped in his previous 3 visits to Montreal.

The evening festivities will kick off with Quebec Lightweight blue chip prospect Pier-Olivier Côté (6-0-0, 4KO) who will be facing Montrealer Jean Charlemagne (1-9-2, 0KO).

Excellent tickets are still available at the Bell Centre Ticket Office by calling 514 790-2525 –or- 1-
877-668-8269, or by visiting www.geg.ca. Tickets can also be purchased at Club de boxe
Champion by dialing 514-376-0980.

For Group Sales or more information, please call Nadia at 450-645-1079, or visit www.interbox.ca.