Tag: Jose Spearman

The WBC light heavyweight belt will remain in Montreal following Jean Pascal’s victory over Silvio Branco on Friday at the Bell Centre.

The bout ultimately ended at 2:19 in the 10th round when Branco’s trainer threw the towel after seeing his fighter knocked down and in bad form from Pascal’s strong hits to the head.

Pascal was able to knock down Branco twice in the tenth round with strong combinations to the Italian’s upper body. This bout was a showcase for Pascal, who won the fight convincingly by throwing strong punches in close and using his speedy jab at points when the slower and less mobile Branco stepped out.

The 26-year-old Pascal won the WBC light heavyweight belt with a 12-round unanimous decision over rival Montreal fighter Adrian Diaconu on June 19. (more…)

At the Bell Centre in boxing mad Montreal last night, Jean Pascal put his WBC light heavyweight belt at risk for the first time and came away with victory against seasoned warhorse Silvio Branco.

A pro since 1988, ex-WBA and European champ Branco went after the much younger Pascal early on but had difficulty with the good footwork and swift reflexes of the local Montreal man, who cut the Italian in the third.

The bout was a cautious affair early on but as both began to tire and settle in, the action increased with Pascal beginning to target the body and Branco looking for the jab, right hand combination.

By the seventh, 43 year old Branco had begin to run out of steam and was dropped in what could have been largely a push or even a bid to gain a breather, although it was ruled a knockdown. (more…)