New York, NY – Dispersed by the majority of cable outlets that cover the sport, boxing’s unusually busy summer schedule continues with a multitude of meaningful match ups of intrigue. First, let’s take look at the featured attraction of the weekend.
HBO KEEPS IT GOING UP NORTH
For the third consecutive week, HBO deals out another card. This time around, it will feature WBC light heavyweight (175 lb) champion Jean Pascal (25-1, 16 KOs) attempt to defend his crown against another alphabet champ in Chad Dawson (29-0, 17 KOs) over 12 rounds or less at luxurious Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Televised live, Saturday at 10:30 PM ET on HBO.
REGIONAL FIGHTER LOOKING FOR WORLD RECOGNITION
Haitian born Jean Pascal has made a name for himself in his adopted home land of Canada. Facing durable opposition, Pascal was unbeaten in 21 previous contests before lacing up with former super middleweight (168) belt holder Carl Froch. In that affair, Froch easily handled Jean in route to his first defeat (L UD 12). After the setback to Froch, Pascal regrouped, moved up a class in weight, and in a stellar performance against then unbeaten champion Adrian Diaconu, captured the light heavyweight crown (W UD 12). After picking up the WBC strap, Jean won his next bout by impressive knockout and went on to successfully defend his title against Diaconu in their rematch (W UD 12).
CHAD NEEDS TO GET BAD
Displaying dazzling skill and by processing an immensely gifted boxing I.Q., Chad Dawson has earned wins over some of the best light heavyweight thugs of the past decade. Albeit, by facing fighters past their peak, victories in a pair of drawn out sequels against Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson (to most critics) were less then remarkable performances. On the flip side, Chad Dawson currently is the only man to claim a legitimate victory over current heavyweight contender Tomasz Adamek (W UD 12). On the contrary, despite such recent triumphs, Dawson hasn’t knocked an opponent out, or even down in almost three years.
A QUICK HIT AT “OTHER” WEEKEND ACTION
FORMER HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE CHALLENGER ARREOLA RETURNS ON ESPN
The ultimate enthusiast for the sport of pugilism, ESPN 2 pitts come backing heavyweight hopeful Chris Arreola (28-2, 25 KOs) against veteran banger Manuel Quezada (29-5, 18 KOs) over 10 proposed rounds of action from the Citizens Business Bank Arena, in Ontario, California at 9 PM ET.
FOX SPORTS NET JOINS THE PARTY
Devastating lights out power puncher Ji Hoon Kim (21-5, 18 KOs) continues his state side campaign when he battles capable combatant Miguel Vazquez (25-3, 12 KOs) over 12 scheduled rounds for the vacant IBF lightweight (135) strap at the in Laredo, Texas, Saturday at 10 PM ET.
John Signorella