Jean Pascal had no choice. He had to go all out in the 12th round, trailing in his IBF light heavyweight playoff Thursday night at Place Bell in Laval. But he failed to fulfill his prediction.
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The 25-year-old German won by unanimous decision of the judges (118-110, 115-113 and 117-111) in front of a Pascal (36-8-1, 20 K.-0.) who fought until the end.
But Eifert (12-1-0, 4 K.-0.) benefited from a good start to the confrontation, showing discipline, consistency and patience against the former WBC world champion who was making a return home after five absences.
“I felt slower than usual, admitted Pascal, who says he hasn’t felt the weight of the years. It was a little stronger than I thought.”
“I understand he’s disappointed, but Jean can hold his head high, because he fought with everything he had tonight. [jeudi]“, mentioned promoter Yvon Michel.
Eifert easier than expected
In the second half of the fight, the duel took place in a roller coaster, the two boxers often exchanging attacks.
But if the 40-year-old Quebecer did not see the soles of his rival as he would have liked, he lifted the 4,112 spectators from their seats a few times with well-felt thrusts.
However, it was not enough and it was Eifert, German champion in 2021,
who becomes the mandatory candidate for the belt of adopted Montrealer Artur Beterbiev. The latter, however, only thinks of Dmitry Bivol, WBA monarch.
“It was a little easier than I had anticipated, analyzed Eifert, whose remarks were translated by his promoter Benedikt Poelchau. I thought Pascal would be more aggressive.”
Uncertain future
While Eifert was happy to add a big name like Jean Pascal to his roster, the Laval resident walked away from another world championship fight. Its future remains uncertain.
“It will be important to sit down with my team, to think about what happens next and see what I will do, supported a Pascal on the verge of tears. […] Here, I take a step back.”