WBC Orders Pascal-Hopkins Rematch
It looks like fight fans will get a second chance to witness history: the WBC has ordered a rematch between WBC and Ring Magazine light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal (left) and former undisputed middleweight champ Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins after their December 18th bout ended in a controversial draw.
“I’d like to thank Mr. Jose Sulaiman and the WBC Board of Governors for ordering an immediate rematch between Pascal and I,” said Hopkins. “This is a great thing for boxing and hopefully fans will get to see another great fight with Pascal and I. I’m looking forward to starting off the New Year by making history as the oldest athlete to win a major championship in ANY sport.”
Many ringside observers believe the 45-year old Hopkins (51-5-2, 32 KOs) won the fight despite being knocked down in the first and third rounds by a man more than 15 years younger than him. One judge scored the bout 114-112 for Hopkins, while the other two had it as a draw.
Pascal (26-1-1, 16 KOs) won the title by earning an 11th-round technical decision against Chad Dawson last August. Dawson has a rematch clause, provided a networks steps up to pay at least as much as HBO did for the first fight. ESPN’s Dan Rafael reports that figure is roughly $2 million.
Should Pascal decide to move ahead with his rematch against Dawson, he faces being stripped of his WBC belt. If he fights Hopkins a lawsuit from Dawson appears likely. Dawson’s promoter Gary Shaw told Fanhouse he is moving ahead with plans for Pascal-Dawson II.
Most in the boxing world would prefer Hopkins get the shot given his game previous effort and the questionable decision that accompanied it. Additionally, Hopkins faces a the real threat of deterioration at his age while Dawson did little to show he deserves another chance at the title during his lethargic performance in losing the belt.
Which means Thursday’s announcement by WBC president Jose Sulaiman puts the WBC in the rare position of clamoring for a fight the public actually wants to see after the board voted 30-2 in favor of Hopkins. Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaeffer cheered the decision in an e-mailed statement.
“I’m very happy the WBC did the right thing,” said Schaefer, Hopkins’ promoter. “I think Bernard clearly deserves the immediate rematch. I feel very strongly that Bernard Hopkins won the fight. Now we just need to get it on again. I am sure that Bernard will leave no doubt that he is the Light Heavyweight World Champion. I’m going to be talking to [Pascal’s promoter] Yvon Michel and, based on the conversations I’ve had with him in the last few days, he and Jean Pascal are interested in the fight.”