John Pascal | To rewrite history

His publicist will tell you that Jean Pascal has several qualities, but he is certainly not the most punctual man in Miami.

We had therefore given ourselves some leeway for the telephone meeting scheduled for 11 a.m. Still, two hours later, it was clear that he had forgotten.

The 40-year-old boxer had simply not warned of a change in his usual training routine in view of his return to Montreal on Monday evening for his March 16 fight against Germany’s Michael Eifert at Place Bell of Laval.

“I’ll pick up my bags at the condo and I’ll call you back from the airport, I’ll be more relaxed,” he apologized, half contrite.

Time has (again) stretched. The phone rang again at 3:12 p.m. as his plane took off at 3:45 p.m.

” How are you ?

“Could be better. I missed my flight, it was over capacity. I arrived at the limit, they gave my place to someone else…”

Next available flight: Wednesday… Jean Pascal therefore returned home with plenty of time to give an interview.

“Difficult Paths”

Despite his vast experience and 36-6-1 record, he admitted to a ‘bit of nervousness’ and ‘excitement’ on the eve of his ‘homecoming’ in his first fight in Quebec since July 20, 2018. In what looked more like an exhibition, he was then measured against Steve Bossé, specialist in mixed martial arts and ex-brawler of the North American Hockey League.

Pascal, who dubbed himself the “road warrior”, played his next four clashes in the United States against big-name opponents like Dmitrii Bivol (loss by decision), Marcus Browne (victory by technical decision), Badou Jack ( split decision) and Fanlong Meng (unanimous decision).

That latest surprise win, over another undefeated rival and first IBF contender, saw him make a name for himself on the international stage after a devastating doping test. He had lost the WBA light heavyweight belt to Browne.

This demonstration against Meng in Florida was not however sufficient to install it at the forefront of the aspirants of the world title IBF held by the Montrealer Artur Beterbiev. The sanctioning body decreed a playoff against the Briton Joshua Buatsi (16-0), who withdrew at the last minute.

“He is an intelligent boxer, his entourage is intelligent. They know that Jean Pascal is a threat. Why face a threat when you can find a much easier path? It’s just Jean Pascal who must always have the most difficult path…”

Third candidate, the Quebecer must therefore compete with Michael Eifert, ranked fifth. The 24-year-old German, who holds an 11-1 record, is little known outside his native country, where he has spent the majority of his career.

“It’s not a fight that I chose, recalled Pascal. It’s forced on me by the IBF even though I beat the number one contender in my last fight. I have never been given anything free in life. »

Despite his usual confidence, Jean Pascal gives the status of favorite to Eifert. “Being the underdog has been the story of my life since kindergarten. Like in boxing, even though I have all the talent in the world, I am neglected all the time. In my head, I still consider myself the underdog. Eifert is young, he has the cardio and the energy to be able to beat me. It’s important for me to be ready. »

Legacy

At the dawn of forty, the one who grew up in the Saint-François and Laval-des-Rapides neighborhoods could very well contemplate his career and live on his income. What makes him risk his health in a ring?

The 2004 Olympian dreams of being inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and expanding his collection with the IBF and WBO belts, the only ones he has ever held.

“It’s not complicated, I still have gas in the tank, he adds. All my cells are in place, I feel good mentally and physically. I have the luxury of being able to go on and train. What I’m looking for is to leave a solid legacy in Quebec and in my sport. What motivates me? Rewrite pages of history once again. That’s why I keep boxing. That’s what drives me, what gives me gas. That and the fans. Whatever happens, they are behind me. »

For the time being, they have manifested themselves in a timid way. According to the seating plan available on ticketmaster.ca, a majority of tickets have still not found takers for the card which will also feature Mathieu Germain, Joseph Ward, Jessica Camara and Caroline Veyre. In January, Kim Clavel had attracted just over 4,000 spectators at Place Bell, according to the figures announced.

At a press conference in December, Yvon Michel, co-promoter of the event with American Lou DiBella and Jean Pascal himself, stressed that the boxer would face new pressure after fighting in the United States since 2018. , that of selling tickets.

“Honestly, my job is to box, reacted Pascal. There job of Yvon and Lou DiBella is to promote the fight as much as possible, according to their means. I’m always inclined to help them, but my job is really to train hard and win the fight. »

What assistance would satisfy him? “I have no idea, he assured. Réjean Tremblay wrote in an article that I deserved 20,000 people at Place Bell. Unfortunately, there are only 10,000 people who can enter… If we are able to accommodate as many as possible, that will make me happy. »

The former champion nevertheless appeals to his supporters and to Quebec boxing enthusiasts to make the province “a hub of international boxing” as it was a decade ago.

“To show Americans that we deserve world championship and unification fights. And that one day, if there is a fight between Artur Beterbiev and me, let it be in Montreal and not in Las Vegas or elsewhere in the United States. »

One way or another, Pascal concedes that he needs “an unequivocal victory” against Eifert, otherwise “there will be no sequel”. “So I focus on the present to be able to control my future. »

For now, he must first return to Montreal. Text message from Jean Pascal at 8:38 p.m.: the airline finally found him a seat for the flight on Tuesday afternoon. It will be a question of arriving a little less just at Miami airport…