According to a Montreal journalist. He will defend his title against mandatory challenger Sylvio Branco, who has been mandatory for a year or so now. He will then probably rematch Diaconu in early 2010 since there was a rematch included in the contract if Jean was to win last night.
Well there's no way he's not gonna fight a mandatory considering how much he wanted the belt. IMO, Pascal will win a rematch as well- the fight was massively one-sided. The only hope Diaconu will have is to just keep throwing bombs as he had Pascal wobbled at one point in the fight last night. Where does he go from there if he wins both? Maybe a unification. He's a massive draw in Montreal now so he'll probs get some decent fights.
Yea i agree that he wins the rematch, especially now that Diaconu's confidence in and out of the ring will be as low as ever since he was beaten and somewhat outclassed for the first time in is career. I would really like to watch him fight Tarvoris Cloud at this point. Two young, hungry fighters going at it. If Cloud would pick up the IBF belt it would be great. Theres also the argentinian WBA champ, Hugo Garay who seems to have no problem traveling so i think it would be a good fight in Montreal. I don't think Zolt Erdei is interested in anything better than what he is doing now, like most universum fighters (defending his belt vs. pointless optionnals and mandatories in his hometown) so he'll keep the WBO belt hostage until he retires.
Yep, there's no point mentioning Erdei at all! If Cloud beats Woods (a big if in my eyes- then again I am British and a tad bias) then that would be a good fight for Pascal as well. Seems tied up for the time being though. Ever since I saw the way he fought Froch I have been a fan of his; we're used to seeing Froch really bully opposition over here so to stand up the way he did for 12 rounds was incredible. He was awesome last night though and a well deserving titlist.
Although Bute has a few important fights coming up at 168 in the next 18 months or so, I would much rather see him fight Jean Pascal at 175 than see Diaconu in a rematch with Jean. Bute-Pascal has to happen some day....that would be the pinnacle of a local fight for Montreal. I even see it being made in the BIG O, with a very good card and a huge promotion, as long as both fighters continue to be successful internationally before it happens !
The rematch clause was only if Diaconu win the fight (but I am sure they will rematch in less than 2 years)! Interbox now have 50% of Pascal next 3 fights! Pascal will face Branco in Quebec city (october) and after he might fight either Roy Jones Jr, Adrian Diaconu again, or go down to 168 to face Lucian Bute.
