There's no way Pascal could have fought like that for 12 rounds if he was dehydrated. He took some hard shots and the pace of the fight was fast enough to wear even a fully fit fighter out.
If Carl Froch can defeat Jean Pascal, then a larger and better Chad Dawson can as well. I think that if Froch hadn't beaten Pascal, Dawson doesn't take this fight. That said, this is a HUGE step up for Team Dawson. The only way Chad is ever going to gain any kind of following is for him to fight live, in-their-prime fighters instead of 40-somethings. Dawson should win this fight comfortably with his length and speed, but at least he's going to fight a tough, young guy who will come to win. Let's hope Pascal heals up from his shoulder issues well.
This is a good fight. I will be glad to see it. Until recently there really has not been any legitimate younger guys for Dawson to fight at this weight. He got some of the older guys out of the way, now he can move on to better things.
With Pascal coming off an injury I'd rather see him in with an easy opponent in June than look to face Dawson around August. That would free Dawson to take an opponent this spring then he might actually get three fights in this year. If he waits until June to fight then he will fight two times this year at best. I would like to see Dawson be a little more active. He's a top fighter in his prime who should fight atleast 3 times a year. Pascal, coming off an injury, would be well served with a tune up fight before jumping right in with Dawson. This is still a very good fight between two of the best guys in the division.
This is a good fight, but I wish Chad wouldn't fight at such a slow pace. He should be fighting in March, then give Pascal a chance to return in June against a bum, then fight each other around August.
Pascal slowed down at the end of the fight. I may have exagerated though. He was not dehydrated but let's say he was beginning to have trouble to make weight and feels more comfortable at LHW. The point is Froch didn't face a LHW because Pascal was not at the time. For me, it's an improper way to hype Froch.
this. since froch i have become a huge pascal fan. he is a quality fighter. i think he will upset and beat dawson.
Pascal can't fight Dawson without being 100% sure his shoulder will be alright for 12 rounds. You can afford to step in the ring with bad chad with only one arm!
This forum seems apologetic to Dawson more than what is warranted. I view this as a fight as not as good as a Dawson-Cloud fight. Diacanu isn't even on Clinton Woods' level in my opinion. Dawson wants nothing to do with T-Cloud because he's got a higher KO rate than Pascal does and he would've never lost to Froch. :yep So Bad Chad is taking the path of less resistance. And how is there a guarantee that Pascal's shoulder will be healed all the way up by then? Seems like a ***** move to sit on the couch for 2/3 of the year targeting a guy coming off an injury.
Chad'll take this. It doesn't hit me as a smart decision to take him on without a warm-up fight after surgery for Pascal; it's tough enough to fight Dawson with two healthy arms. Great fight nonetheless!
Dawson FEARS Diaconu!! Pascal is good in my book after the Froch and Diaconu fights. He's a tough do who mixes it up. My kind of guy! :bbb