Jean Pascal is looking to win a world title one year after retiring from the sport and said he is more than ready to defeat Dmitry Bivol to win another light heavyweight belt.
The former light heavyweight titleholder will challenge for Bivol's WBA title on November 24 in the main event of an HBO-televised card from Atlantic City. It will be the first time since 2016 that Pascal has challenged for a world title, but Pascal is in the midst of an interesting knockout streak. Pascal has won his last two fights, including his first fight after coming out of retirement, by knockout which has not happened in more than a decade.
In a recent media call, Fightful got to ask Pascal how he feels physically at 36 years old. Pascal said he feels strong and ready, but is not sure if the knockout streak is a result of fighting weaker opposition or him being stronger than he was in his prime. Regardless, Pascal stated that his experience in big, world title main event fights will only serve to help Pascal.
"Right now, I don't know if I'm stronger than before, but I feel very strong. Of course I got two knockouts in my last fights. But I know they weren't elite fighters like Dmitry Bivol. So I know I'm going to have to pick up my game but I'm ready for that. Been there, done that. It's his first main event. Like I said, for me been there done that. I know what I have to do. I'm ready for this fight. I'm looking for this fight to be a great fight," Pascal said.
With the fight taking place in Atlantic City, it holds a special place in Pascal's heart. It was the same city that boxing great Arturo Gatti had many of his fights, including the second and third fight in the legendary trilogy of battles against Micky Ward. Pascal said he hopes to add to that legacy of great fights in Atlantic City with a win over Bivol.
"The fight is going to be in Atlantic City. Remember, we have a Canadian story in Atlantic City. Arturo Gatti is from my hometown and he used to fight over there. He moved when he was younger to fight. He became a legend. At the same time, I'm going to try to honor his spirit over there and win one more title." Pascal said.
The card will take place at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, the site of Bivol's last fight which was a unanimous decision victory over Isaac Chilemba to retain his title back in August.
