So Pascal and Diaconu had a great fight that will extend into a longer rivalry. This is what I was hoping before the fight, that they would have a war, that Pascal would win and that Diaconu would want a rematch. Pascal has mandatory, tricky Branco - grow into title. Diaocnu can have tune ups - get rounds, pick up sharpness. Rematch - don't write off Diaconu. See how Pascal improved from thrilling loss to Froch. See what Diaconu can do if he gets active. He may - or may not - improve from tough, exciting defeat. See how he responds. Anyway. How does IBF super middle champ Bute figure in this? Can Bute draw 13,000+ fans for ROUTINE title defences? If so, does he need EVENLY MATCHED WARS with Pascal and Diaconu? Would a fight for WBC 175 belt be big enough for Bute to take risk? Canada's answer to Benn, Eubank, Watson?
I actually thought Pascal would win simply because Diaconu looks overated. I think Bute would probably have too much for both of them though.
I'd love to see Froch go over there, also. Given that he and Bute are rival champs at 168, and that he has a fine, underrated win over Pascal. Froch is a man without a country right now. He's thinking of going to Spain to pay less tax on his purses, and has no TV contract in the UK. Will he gun for Canadian money, with a bit of American money (i..e. Showtime) thrown int the pot?
Branco,the old geezer,is still in the game?:admin:admin:admin He must be around 45-46 at present:yikes
Bute draws more than Diaconu or Pascal. In fact I was surprised Diaconu and Pascal drew over 13000. I think Bute beats Pascal though.
Diaconu's problem was inactivity, lack of rounds. I think he was always going to struggle with Pascal's speed and movement. It took Diaconu a long time to get into the fight, but once he settled, he landed some impressive jabs, power shots and body attack. IF he can get started earlier, take pascal's body in the early stages, he can win a rematch. Or at least make it another great fight. Diaconu's a very good pressure fighter but pressure fighters have to stay busy and stay sharp, IMO.
I gotta say that Pascal/Diaconu was a very good fight but the only reason why it became so entertaining was because Pascal got sloppy by dropping his hands. There was no doubt in my mind that Pascal would outbox the Shark as the Henry fight a year ago showed me everything I needed to know about Diaconu as a fighter. You're not supposed to squeak by an unknown fighter with no power in your home country. Diaconu kept himself afloat with his chin and his power but the plain truth is that he was always going to be too slow for the slick Pascal. Even when he got in position to land his punches weren't straight and thrown downward and slanted, often missing the mark completely ala Lamon Brewster though Brewster is more accurate and effective with his. I gotta give Pascal a lot of credit for going out there and doing what he did. He came to fight and showed flashes of brilliance, darting in and out with tremendous combinations. Even more surprising was how he held up to Diaconu's punches. Look, Diaconu is a decent fighter but the writing was on the wall for him. It was only a matter of time before he lost his belt. Heck, I figured Branco would have given him a fight had that one not fell through.
The Diaconu v Henry fight was terrible, but it was Diaconu at his worst after time off, Diaconu looked much stronger in this fight. Pascal's reach was a problem early but here it was refreshing to see Adrian get better as the fight went on. Pascal is definitely faster and better than Henry. Diaconu started terribly v Pascal, but had some terrific rounds late on. To his credit, a tiring Pascal stayed right with him and they had great give and take. Pascal improved so much from Froch defeat. Hopefully Diaconu can do same from Pascal defeat. Then we may get a fight EVEN BETTER than Froch-Pascal and Pascal-Diaconu #1. I wouldn't write "The Shark" off. He is a talented pressure fighter. If he can get some good rounds in - hopefully on Pascal-Branco undercard - then he can perhaps start a bit faster in the rematch.