Dmitry Bivol vs. Jean Pascal - November 24, 2018

[Stuarty]

Is this on TVs? I know it's a pumping but I'll still watch like

[TheGingerBomber]

Surely this is just a waste of time for Bivol, a world champ? To be fair, at least Pascal earned this fight.

Here’s hoping when the dust settles we get some good bouts at LHW between the champs. Gvodzyk vs Adonis is currently scheduled which I like, and Alvarez/Kovalev 2 is due in Jan. Hopefully we see Beterbiev get to grips with one of these lot.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Is this on TVs? I know it's a pumping but I'll still watch like

NoxBation in the UK and HBO in the US.

[Stuarty]

Is this on TVs? I know it's a pumping but I'll still watch like

NoxBation in the UK and HBO in the US.

Cheers bruv

[chuck9788]

Because of that weigh-in. Pascal clearly started it. Bivol is gonna go for the KO!

I let that comment set in for a while. And I agree. Bivol (a cool customer) looked pretty peeved off.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Onetimeonly]

Surely this is just a waste of time for Bivol, a world champ? To be fair, at least Pascal earned this fight.

Here’s hoping when the dust settles we get some good bouts at LHW between the champs. Gvodzyk vs Adonis is currently scheduled which I like, and Alvarez/Kovalev 2 is due in Jan. Hopefully we see Beterbiev get to grips with one of these lot.

Beterbiev is fighting Smith. That will be violent.

[apollo creed]

Bivol should be careful with Pascal. JP looks in a very good shape and he has some sneaky tricks his bag. I'm rooting for Bivol.

[oogiebe]

Bivol should be careful with Pascal. JP looks in a very good shape and he has some sneaky tricks his bag. I'm rooting for Bivol.

Fair points.

[lazboy]

Pascal output in general is just not good enough to keep Bivol off him. Only chance pascals got is landing one of those wild overhand type shots but Bivol should be good enough to see them coming..from a mile away. He’ll most likely accumulate and beat down on him.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Stats and Stakes

Dmitry Bivol
Age: 27
Title: WBA light heavyweight (2017-18, 3 Defenses)
Previous Titles: None
Height: 6’1
Weight: 174 ¼ lbs.
Stance: Orthodox
Hails from: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Record: 14-0, 11 KO
Press Rankings: #2 (Ring, ESPN), #3 (TBRB), #4 (Boxing Monthly, BoxRec)
Record in Major Title Fights: 3-0, 2 KO (6-0, 4 KO including interim title fights)
Last Five Opponents: 114-12-2 (.898)
Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Faced: None

VS.

Jean Pascal
Age: 36
Title: None
Previous Titles: WBC light heavyweight (2009-11, 4 Defenses); Lineal/Ring light heavyweight (2010-11, 1 Defense)
Height: 5’10 ½
Weight: 174 ½ lbs.
Stance: Orthodox
Hails from: Laval, Quebec, Canada (Born in Haiti)
Record: 33-5-1, 20 KO, 2 KOBY
Press Rankings: #9 (BoxRec)
Record in Major Title Fights: 4-4-1, 1 KO, 2 KOBY
Last Five Opponents: 88-10-2 (.890)
Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Faced: Carl Froch L12; Adrian Diaconu UD12, UD12; Chad Dawson Tech. Dec. 11; Bernard Hopkins D12, L12; Lucian Bute UD12; Sergey Kovalev TKO by 8, RTD by 7; Eleider Alvarez L12

The Case for Bivol: Bivol can appear at times, so far, like a total package. He’s got a hard left jab, puts combinations together, counters well, has good balance, and can crack. While he’s not unhittable, he’s also not reckless. He’s got quick hands and feet, allowing him to get in and out on opponents while keeping that constantly wary of his firepower. Against Pascal, establishing the jab early will be critical in upsetting Pascal’s hopes of throwing off his rhythm. At his best, Pascal’s awkwardness could make him seem more vulnerable than he was before the Canadian favorite was able to strike with bursts of offense. The older Pascal beat Elbiali by using the younger man’s aggression against him, saving energy and busting him up in close. Bivol can fight his best fight by forcing the action to be at his pace and forcing Pascal to expend energy early and often.

The Case for Pascal: Even in the Elbiali upset, Pascal’s legs looked sometimes unsteady. His best chance to win against Bivol is to suck him into a messy fight. Clinching and working the free hand will provide chances for blind shots. If he elects to fight at range, he’s going to have a difficult time stopping the jab. Pascal’s best hopes are for an ugly fight where he can steal rounds, draw on his experience, and frustrate Bivol. Protracted battle will bring a long career’s many miles to the surface quickly.

The Pick: Pascal made a hell of a career for himself by relying on speed, great reflexes, toughness, and better than average power. As he’s aged, the first two of those have declined and that meant they couldn’t cover for defensive deficiencies anymore. Bivol is the sort of steady, sharp, powerful young fighter Pascal has probably aged past being able to compete with. This might have some entertaining moments early on but it feels like what it probably is: an emergent talent adding more name value than competitive value to his resume. Bivol is degrees better than Elbiali and there will be no upset here. The pick here is Bivol by stoppage.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Running Order

*Please note, all fights subject to change without notice.

10 Round Super-Welterweight contest
Israil Madrimov vs. Vladimir Hernandez

Follows

12 Round Super-Bantamweight contest
Murodjon Akhmadaliev vs. Isaac Zarate

Follows

WBA World Light-Heavyweight Title
Dmitry Bivol vs. Jean Pascal

***

[Mexi-Box]

Entire card is not worth staying up for.

[lazboy]

Is the main starting next or one to go? Watching in Russian...

[lazboy]

It’s the fight before the main. Going to mis the main ffs.

[DrDuke]

The fight had a predictable display and outcome. Although I expected Bivol to look better. He won fair and square, wide enough, but he didn't look special. He is always like that. Like he's more of a good amateur, than a pro-fighter. His fundamentals and technique are solid, but he is robotic.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[jamamb]

thats badou for you though

[lazboy]

That’s seriously funny!! Lol!

[Nightmare Roy]

[TheGingerBomber]

Surely this is just a waste of time for Bivol, a world champ? To be fair, at least Pascal earned this fight.

Here’s hoping when the dust settles we get some good bouts at LHW between the champs. Gvodzyk vs Adonis is currently scheduled which I like, and Alvarez/Kovalev 2 is due in Jan. Hopefully we see Beterbiev get to grips with one of these lot.

Beterbiev is fighting Smith. That will be violent.

I like Beterbiev, but Johnson putting him down gives Smith a chance.

Still think Beterbiev is too good for him.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Bivol: I'm Not Best Light Heavyweight Champ; Just One Of Four

Jean Pascal called Dmitry Bivol boxing’s best light heavyweight after they fought, just as the former champion had done before Bivol beat him Saturday night.

Bivol appreciates Pascal’s praise, but the unbeaten WBA champion still feels he must prove that he is better than the three other 175-pound title-holders in the ring. Kyrgyzstan’s Bivol gave his outlook on his division during a post-fight press conference at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

“The guy who has the belts, these guys are the best,” Bivol said. “I’m not the best in the light heavyweight division. I’m one of four. We just should make fights to understand who is the best. I can say everything, but it doesn’t matter because I would rather prove who’s the best. Even if it includes me, I would rather prove who’s the best, the same way other champions had to prove it.”

[boxing_rocks]