Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins and Jean Pascal made it clear at today’s final press conference in Montreal, Canada that they both want to let their fists do the talking when they meet this Saturday, May 21 at the Bell Center in Montreal in a bout that will be televised live on HBO’s World Championship Boxing® in the United States and on pay-per-view in Canada. Hopkins spoke first, repeating the statement he made at the final press conference in December prior to his first fight against Pascal. Pascal then approached the podium and made the same statement. Both fighters immediately exited the press conference venue, showing they are 100 percent focused on Saturday night’s WBC, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight World Championship fight. But their promoters had plenty to say, so check out their quotes here.
Yvon Michel, President of Groupe Yvon Michel
“We have almost arrived at our destination. With Dawson vs. Diaconu combined with Pascal vs. Hopkins, this weekend’s event is going to be a huge.
“[The staff at] Golden Boy Promotions are people of their word, people of vision and people of action. We are very proud to be associated with them.
“We are also happy to be associated with HBO. The fact that HBO decided to buy this fight shows the high regard they hold for Jean Pascal and Bernard Hopkins.
“This is the fourth time that HBO has done an event from Canada and the third time on their World Championship boxing series. The first one was Pascal versus Chad Dawson.
“The table is set. Seven months ago when Bernard Hopkins and Jean Pascal met, they were like old pals and now it seems like they are mortal enemies. They can’t wait to bring their differences into the ring and give it all they have. It is no longer just about the championship; it is about which fighter is the best and which fighter is going to make history.
“I am kind of sad because I am a big Bernard Hopkins fan. I am sad because he made a bad decision to take on Jean Pascal again. It was a genius decision when he answered Jean’s call last year. It was the right decision, but now he has made the wrong decision.”
Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions
“It is a pleasure to be here in Montreal and return to Canada. The people in Canada are amazing. The fans are amazing.
“I did want to do the fight in Los Angeles, where our offices are and where Bernard has a lot of fans, but I was vetoed by Bernard. He said, ‘I want to beat Pascal in his hometown.’
“This is a historic week. This is not just history-making for boxing. It is history-making for sports…period. Bernard will make history as the oldest athlete in any sport to win a world championship again.
“This is an opportunity we don’t want to miss because we can’t turn back the clock. You want to be able to say ‘I was there. I witnessed it.’
“It is a very important moment for all of us. This victory is not going to just be for Bernard. It will be for all of us as he shows that we can do whatever we want to do if we live life the way it should be lived.”
