With exactly one month remaining until two of the top fighters in the world enter the ring at the Bell Centre in Montreal, current WBC Light Heavyweight champion Jean Pascal (25-1-0, 16 KOs) and undefeated American Pound for Pound superstar and two-time world champion “Bad” Chad Dawson (29-0-0, 17 KOs) hit the scales for their mandatory 30-day pre-fight weigh in. The limit mandated by the WBC 30 days before a Light Heavyweight championship is 192.5 lbs.
The 12-round Pascal vs. Dawson WBC light heavyweight championship fight will be televised live, from the Bell Centre in Montraeal, on HBO World Championship Boxing, Saturday, August 14, beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT.
The World Champion weighed in at a solid 181 lbs at the Olympic Center of Colombia, under the watchful eye of Dr. Juan C. Quicenz. Pascal is currently training in the high altitudes of Bogota in order to maximize his preparations in the lead-up to what is surely the biggest fight of his career. This will be the third defense of his title, and his first time back in the ring after his dismantling of former world champion Adrian Diaconu (26-2, 15 KOs) on December 11th 2009, a fight which he won by Unanimous Decision even with a dislocated shoulder. “On August 14th I have a date with destiny! I have nothing but respect for Dawson, and even though I’m convinced that he will be at his best, I’ll also be coming in at the absolute peak of my abilities. To be the best, you have to beat the best! I can’t wait for that first bell to ring!” declared the champion.
Yvon Michel, president of GYM, is ecstatic over the magnitude of this event: “We have been with Jean Pascal on this journey ever since his very first fight. We’re so proud of all that he has accomplished, and we’re equally proud to be with him as we put on the most important boxing event of both our careers. August 14th 2010 will be a date that will go down in Canadian boxing history. Just like Jean, we will do everything in our power to be at our best!”
“Bad” Chad Dawson, the WBC interim light heavyweight champion, tipped the scales at 177 lbs, weighing in at his training camp in Las Vegas, NV. In his last bout he won a unanimous decision over former world champion Glen Johnson (50-13-2, 34 KOs) in his hometown of Hartford, CT. “I cannot wait until August 14 when I face Jean Pascal in Montreal for the title I vacated in order to beat Antonio Tarver … twice. Now it’s time to reclaim my original crown and bring it home to the U.S.”
Dawson’s promoter, Gary Shaw added: “Chad is ready to unify the WBC light heavyweight title and become The Ring’s lineal 175-pound world champion, joining the elite company which includes Billy Conn, Archie Moore and Bob Foster. My concern isn’t that Chad wins the fight, it’s how much the airline will charge us for the additional luggage for carrying the world championship belt back.”
On August 14th, the eyes of the entire world will be focused on Montreal for this World Championship Event. Tickets are available at the Bell Centre Box Office (514) 790-2525, 1-877-668-8269, at www.evenko.ca , at the Champion Boxing Club (514) 376-0980, and through GYM (514) 383-0666.
