Jean Pascal is a driven and hungry man. Not one to rest on his own laurels, Pascal, who lost a narrow decision to Carl Froch in a 2008 Fight of the Year candidate, repeatedly asked for a rematch with the WBC super middleweight champion only to be denied. As such, he would go on to move up in weight and capture the WBC light heavyweight title from then champion Adrian Diaconu in an entertaining but unanimous decision victory. With one successful defense against Silvio Branco under his belt, Pascal is settling in at his new weight class and plans on staying a light heavyweight champion for a long time to come. "I would never go back to 168 pounds. [Making weight] was too hard on me," Pascal commented as he made it clear that he's put his loss to Froch behind him and is now focusing on the future.
That being said, Pascal is looking forward to the upcoming super middleweight tournament and plans on attending his former opponent's upcoming clash with his personal friend Andre Dirrell. "I'm going to England to the fight. I can't wait to see them," he stated. Pascal became friends with Dirrell during the 2004 Olympics. "Dirrell is the fastest guy I'v ever seen in my life. He was unreal against the Cuban [Despaigne Herrera, who Pascal lost to during the round of 32]," Pascal added, "Froch is stronger than a motherfucker, but Dirrell has it all."
As for his own career, Pascal now sets his sights on a rematch with Diaconu. He hopes an impressive victory will lead to an opportunity for more exposure in the United States and bigger and better fights in the future. "I want to fight in the U.S. more for exsposure; I love all of my fans in the U.S.," Pascal stated. As for the proposed rematch with Adrian Diaconu, Pascal simply remarked, "this time, I will finish Diaconu and send him back to Romania!"
[EDITOR'S NOTE: FightHype would like to welcome Patrick McQueen to the team.]