By: Matthew N. Becher
Jean Pascal is the former lineal light heavyweight world champion, with wins over the likes of George Blades, Adrian Diaconu, Lucian Bute and Chad Dawson. On July 25th, he will take on undefeated Yunieski Gonzalez live on HBO and try and start a journey back to championship glory. Jean was able to take a few moments away from training camp to speak with BoxingInsider.com.
BoxingInsider.com: You use two trainers, Marc Ramsay & Roy Jones Jr. what do they both bring to the table in terms of training?
Jean Pascal: I’ve been with Marc from day one, so he is family to me. Roy is my boxing idol, so having him in camp and the corner is a blessing. They both bring a lot to the table as far as preparing me to be at my best.
BoxingInsider.com: Do they train you at the same time or do they have separate camps, days, weeks…etc.?
Jean Pascal: Sometime they train together, but mostly it is separate days.
BoxingInsider.com: You are coming off of a tough fought knockout loss to one of the hardest punchers in the sport, Sergey Kovalev. A.) what did you take away from the fight? & B.) is he the hardest puncher you’ve ever been in the ring against?
Jean Pascal: I need to improve defensively, I need to be more responsible with my hands and not be so easy to hit with the jab. And no, Froch was (the hardest puncher)
BoxingInsider.com: Your opponent, Yunieski Gonzalez, is a relatively unknown fighter with an undefeated (16-0) record. What can you tell us about him and why was he chosen as your opponent?
Jean Pascal: I can tell you he’s in trouble July 25th! He’s a Cuban boxer with a decent amateur background and he was chosen because he’s supposed to be pretty good, you already know that unlike some people I look to fight the best.
BoxingInsider.com: You mentioned earlier that Roy Jones Jr. was your idol growing up. What was it about Roy that put him above the rest in your eyes?
Jean Pascal: Watch any of his fights from 1988-2004 and see for yourself.
BoxingInsider.com: What is your opinion of him still fighting at the age of 46, especially after seeing him take such a brutal knockout loss to Lebedev in 2011?
Jean Pascal: Roy has a goal to become cruiser weight champion, because it’s the only belt he missed from 160 –heavyweight. Who are we to tell him not to go after his goal?
BoxingInsider.com: Would you ever consider dropping down to the Super Middleweight division or climbing to Cruiser?
Jean Pascal: Nope
BoxingInsider.com: The light heavyweight division is well stocked as far as quality opponents go. Anyone in particular you would like to make a fight against in the fall?
Jean Pascal: Whoever the fans want me to fight, that makes me and my company the most money.
Photo: David Spagnolo/Main Events
