For what it’s worth, Pascal did look sharp while doing a few rounds on the mitts with trainer Marc Ramsay and assistant Luc-Vincent Ouellet. Ramsay insists no sign of decline or rust was noticed during training camp: “I know what he’s capable of and I want to see what he did during training translate into the fight. We did a tune up on a Ferrari and I’m eager to see the results.”
Training that involved more sparring than usual according to Ramsay, who utilized the services of GYM stable-mate Eleider Alvarez (who’s also fighting on Friday) and another fighter he did not want to disclose the identity of for Pascal’s sparring sessions.
One might assume with such a long layoff that the game plan Friday might involved his pupil getting rounds in the bank in order to knock the rust off, a theory his trainer quickly dismisses: “At his age now with his experience he doesn’t need to do extra rounds, what I want to see is Jean perform to the best of his abilities. And if he performs to his full potential then it could be a short night’s work.”
Pascal now 30 years of age, last won a fight when he was 28, versus current light-heavyweight champion Chad Dawson. Coincidentally, Dawson is the same man who awaits the Montreal fighter in the spring of 2013 provided he wins and comes out unscathed against Kuziemski Friday night. When asked by a reporter if there was any chance Jean was already looking ahead to Dawson, Pascal shot that notion down: “I’m looking at Friday night. I’m thinking about Aleksy Kuziemsky, I don’t even think about Chad Dawson or anyone else...” Pascal might not be looking ahead but many fight fans are, however no Dawson rematch or marquee matchup is possible unless Jean conquers both Kuziemsky and the rust first.
Matt Casavant is host of the weekly After The Bell Podcast Click here for the latest episode as Matt is joined by Russ Anber, Gabriel Montoya & Tony Luis
