John Scully, the ESPN Classic commentator, trainer and former world title challenger boxer previously trained WBC Light Heavyweight champ Chad Dawson in the early days of his pro career. Scully has also sparred with Jean Pascal, the IBF beltholder. So the popular American boxing personality figures to be one of the most knowledgable experts to discuss Pascal vs. Dawson, who will meet in Montreal at the Bell Centre on Saturday night, televised by HBO.
Scully believes southpaw Dawson’s jab will be a key factor in the duel. “I believe that Chad’s range and athleticism will dictate the fight. Jean is very fast but Chad is fast too, and he has that great jab – that I taught him,” Scully says, with a smile. “His jab can ruin any opponent’s offense because of its range and snap, like a Larry Holmes type of thing going on.”
When asked if the frenzied Montreal crowd could affect Dawson’s performance, Scully replies, “I don’t think the Montreal crowd will bother Chad in the least bit, I honestly don’t. I’d be more worried about the influence they have on the judges than they’d have on me. I respect Jean a great deal – we’ve sparred before – and I love the way he came through the rematch with Diacanou but Chad Dawson is a different mountain altogether.”
27-year-old Dawson, with a record of 29-0 (17 KO’s) out of New Haven, CT, will be making his third HBO apearance. Pascal, from Laval, Quebec via Haiti, is 25-1 (16 KO’s).
John Scully was a world class competitor in his fighting days.