FINAL and OFFICIAL +++ Jean Pascal vs. Lucian Bute - who you got? +++

I gotta go with Bute in this one.

Pascal might rock Bute but I just feel Bute will be able to weather any storm that will come his way, Pascal is not the greatest finisher because he can get a little too wild when he's trying to follow up on a big shot. He buzzed Hopkins a couple of times but then let him off the hook, winging and missing punches giving Hopkins time to recover. If Bute can survive a Pascal attack then I see the momentum shifting very quickly. Pascal's output will drop and Bute's confidence will rise.

 

Feeling a bit more optimistic about Bute's chances too. Still think Pascal is the favourite, though.

 

I will bet GBP 95 on Pascal to win and GBP 5 on the draw.

 

Is Pascal winning the PR war?

He made a few mistakes at the beginning: deciding to work with Heredia, not signing the contract, acting all gangsta with that bodyguard at the press-conference, but he was the one scoring the early shots. When Bute said 75% would support him, Pascal said 100% would be behind him by the end of the fight. When Bute talked about the way Pascal is always on his mind, Pascal said he is thinking about his fans to motivate himself.

But then, Pascal started getting down and dirty. He said Bute was fake. He said he was only after the money and didn't have love for the fans. By contrast, he says that he, Pascal, is mostly trying to win for the fans of Montreal - his motivation. He also suggested Bute was lying about his sexuality - again - a claim that he is a big phoney. Now, he is reminding people that Larouche said black fighters couldn't sell in Montreal - he is trying to damage Larouche's reputation and suggest those supporting Bute against him might be racist. He is also saying Bute is just being Larouche's puppet, nothing more.

Is it working? He hasn't managed to get an ugly raise out of Bute yet. Is Pascal winning the PR war?

(and isn't it a shame there is one? The fight sells itself and it's one for the history books - a pitty its lustre is spoilt thus because of personal egos getting in the way)

 

Pascal ends up doing what he restrain himself to do at first, and praised Bute instead, he start again to trash-talk his opponent, the reason that Canadians don't like him as much as he deserves. Not speaking for them, but I suspect it doesn't goes well on the PR level in the province.
While Bute might be accused of groundless bravado, you can't say he insulted Pascal.

 

Would be interesting to read how the Canadians see this and whether Pascal's and Bute's PR has made them support one or the other more than they would have done otherwise.

 

What do you have to say about the difference in intensity and focus towards training between the two fighters, Decebal?

 

:?

I think both are training very hard.

Bute is training harder than usual, he is working hard on his endurance, stamina and strength because he wants to fight hard for three minutes x 12 rounds.

Pascal on the other hand has 3 (!!) training sessions per day! He is working very hard on improving his endurance and stamina, but he is also making sure he is staying strong and fresh and injury free.

I also think both are very focussed.

Pascal keeps his spirits up to stay focussed and motivated. He is very excited about this opportunity and this is what keeps him fresh and focussed. He has also brought in RJ Jr to motivate him and give him that edge mentally.

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Bute is focussing by zeroing in on his opponent, like he always does, and by obsessively imagining the fight and style match-up. He is working with his sports psychologist closer than ever too.

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Both are hugely motivated, both are injury free, both are training as hard as ever if not harder, both have brought new things/people into this camp and both seem to have great training camps - one of their best ever, if not the best. I don't think either of them is not giving their very best in this camp.

Should be a great fight. Certainly no excuses expected from either guy.