This Saturday, a clash in the light-heavyweight division is to take place between Haitian-born Canadian Jean Pascal (29-2-1,17KO’s) and Sergey “The Krusher” Kovalev (26-0-1,23KO’s) of Russia. HBO’s telecast of the 175-pound title fight in Montreal, Canada guarantees to entertain boxing fans, as two of the best light-heavyweights go head-to-head for divisional supremacy.
Kovalev possesses one of Boxing’s best KO percentages (85.9%) and looks to solidify his place at the top of the division, with a win over Pascal, March 14. Kovalev is holding three of four title belts and is coming off a win over one of boxing’s living legends Bernard Hopkins. The Krusher displayed his skills as a tactician in his defeat of Hopkins in a 12-round whitewash victory. Sergey looks to position himself for a mega-fight with WBC champ Adonis Stevenson if network contracts do not delay the fight that boxing fans are craving.
Jean Pascal, with 3 wins and a no-contest since his last loss to Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins, looks to expand his streak with a win over the undefeated Kovalev. Since reigning victorious over fellow countryman Lucian Bute, Pascal has not fought any of 175’s top opposition.
The hometown hero will have to deal with one of the hardest punchers in the division and possibly some ring rust because his recent sub-par opposition. Jean also has his eyes set on a Montreal super fight with fellow Haitian-born Canadian, “Superman” Stevenson, but only if he could defeat the hard-hitting Russian. Pascal, working with trainer Marc Ramsey and his idol Roy Jones Jr., has a daunting obstacle ahead of him when he steps into the ring with Kovalev on 3/14. Pascal with 2 losses to his record finds himself as the underdog in this bout, an upset win over Sergey Kovalev could catapult Pascal back to the top of the light-heavyweight division.
Fighthype.com caught up with Angel Heredia, who explains, “ He’s (Pascal) looking sharp, he’s looking very, very strong, very explosive.” The strength and conditioning coach acknowledges they are in for a tough fight, but he believes Pascal has the tools to pull out the win. “It’s a difficult fight we’re facing but he’s ready, he is prepared mentally, he is prepared physically, so we anticipate a good victory,” said Heredia.
With Pascal-Kovalev nearing Heredia believes his fighter is ready for the challenge. “Pascal is a fighter, he is there to make history, he is there to fight the best, he really loves challenges.”
“Kovalev is a tremendous fighter he’s a very, very heavy puncher so it’s going to be interesting, speed vs. punching power”, explained Heredia, who believes his fighter can thwart the Champ in their ensuing bout.
Boxing fans are in for a treat as Kovalev may look to his powerful right-hand to give Pascal an early night unless Pascal’s speed and athleticism could keep the knockout artist at bay. With distractions such as drug testing disputes leading up to the bout, these warriors should be ready to give boxing fans quite a show. With a possible fight with Adonis Stevenson, both Pascal and Kovalev seek a mega-fight in 2015 and a shot at the WBC title with a victory, March 14th.
