Jean Pascal-Terry Osias fight | A popularity that continues

If the turnout seen on Tuesday morning is any indication, we can expect there to be a lot of people and sparks at the Colisée de Laval on September 21.

There was indeed a crowd in this Rosemont boxing club where a media training session had been organized on the sidelines of the gala featuring Jean Pascal and Terry Osias. The two main belligerents were there, of course, as well as several other boxers who will appear on the evening’s card.

There were also at least a dozen members of the media, as well as many curious onlookers who came to watch the athletes in action. Few promotional boxing events in recent memory have managed to attract such a crowd. It was hot in the small gym, and not just in the ring.

Clearly, this Pascal-Osias duel intrigues more than one. The promoter of the event, Yan Pellerin, confirms that ticket sales are going well. In particular, sections of the amphitheater that were supposed to remain closed had to be opened.

The presence of Jean Pascal certainly has a lot to do with it. Even though he will have spent a year and a half away from the arena, and even though he will celebrate his 42nd birthday next month, his name is enough to titillate the boxing fan. For better or for worse.

“I’m very happy, very proud,” Pascal rejoiced when asked about the audience gathered on Tuesday. “It proves that [le promoteur] New Era is doing a good job job and that I still have influence in the boxing world,” he added.

Leave your mark

If Pascal (36-7-1, 20 KOs) is happy to know that his popularity remains intact, it is above all his place in the annals of Quebec boxing that he wants to cement with this clash against Osias.

The Laval native said it himself a few weeks ago, he is on his “last lap”. Before hanging up his gloves for good, he wants to win back a world title, this time in the light heavyweight (200 lbs), and thus complete his mission: “to be considered the greatest of all time in Canada”.

“For me, the motivation is not money. It’s really to make history. To write a page of history, to leave my mark and my name when I leave this earth,” he lists.

The former WBC light heavyweight champion is not naive, however. He is well aware that the years have robbed him of some of his brilliance in the ring. That is why he has modified his work methods accordingly during his training camp.

“I have to adapt my style, because I am a reaction and speed boxer. But with age, the first thing you lose is speed and reactions. I have to modulate my style a little like Bernard Hopkins. I have to do things differently, because if I just rely on my speed of execution, I will finish second,” he warned.

Osias unperturbed

Terry Osias (13-0, 6 KOs), for his part, continues to exude this unwavering calm and assurance. Not intimidated for a second by the challenge that Pascal represents, he maintains that “it’s his turn” to move up to the next level.

The Longueuil boxer was quick to gently correct a colleague who suggested that Pascal was not “obliged” to fight him, because of his reputation and pedigree as a champion.

“I’m undefeated. If it hadn’t been for the pitfalls of my illness or the pandemic, I would be 18, 19 or 20-0. I’m ranked number one in Canada. For a former world champion like Jean who wants to come back, who has his plans, I’m the perfect profile,” he explained.

Osias, let us recall, had to put his career on hold in 2021 in order to fight cancer. Since his return in March 2023, he has drawn all his motivation from this ordeal.

“When you’re close to death, you tell yourself that you can’t just leave like that,” he says. “For me, life is about accomplishments, about goals. Sport is really a way for me to fulfill myself. I don’t want to leave here without having accomplished what I want to accomplish.”

“I’ve been visualizing this moment since I started as an amateur,” he continued. “Nothing happens for nothing. It’s our turn. We know where we’re going.”

So everything is in place for this confrontation on September 21. Except for one detail, perhaps: Pascal refused to reveal who his trainer would be during the fight, preferring to “keep the surprise” for the gala.

So will we see Stéphan Larouche in his corner? Marc Ramsay? Doc Louis de Punch-Out !! ? The bets are open.