IBF light-heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud will make his fifth title defense on August 11 against Jean Pascal at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada.
The undefeated Cloud will come into the bout on the heels of a highly unpopular and controversial decision win over Gabriel Campillo in February. While Cloud struggled with Campillo’s movement and elusive defense, he views Pascal’s slugging style as the perfect foil in a rebound fight.
“This fight with Jean Pascal is a bout I’m looking forward to,” Cloud explained. “It’s going to be what I call a ‘Release the Kraken’ match. Everybody knows I come to fight. What I like about Pascal is that he doesn’t fool around either. When I look for him, he will be there, and the same goes for me.”
“Fans like to see leather thrown with bad intentions, and that’s what they are going to get in Montreal on August 11.”
Pascal is also seeking to overturn a misstep in his last fight. The former champion has not fought since losing his WBC title to Bernard Hopkins in May of last year.
“Our styles make for the best, most explosive and spectacular fight possible in boxing,” boasted Pascal. “Having been away from the ring for more than a year, I am hungrier and more determined than ever to get back on top. Don’t miss it August 11 in Montreal. I am going to get back on the throne for good.”
The undercard will feature undefeated super-middleweight Adonis Stevenson, who’s made it known that he hopes to earn a title shot against newly crowned IBF titlist Carl Froch.
Cloud versus Pascal will be broadcast live by Showtime Championship Boxing.
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This will be a very good fight, but one that Jean Pascal might end up regretting he didn’t take sooner. By the time this fight happens, Pascal would have been out of the ring well over a year. For a fighter who’s stamina is already very suspect, this could prove great for Cloud down the stretch. Cloud is much more consistent throughout rounds with his heavy hands but Pascal is far more explosive, making for a fight that likely won’t see the final bell no matter who comes out on top. Right now, I slightly lean to that victor being Cloud via a late TKO.
At 34, Stevenson isn’t getting any younger so it’s totally understandable he wants a big money fight with Froch. Depending on who he faces in August and how he looks, he may be able to generate some early interest in that fight. I say early because Mikkle Kessler will likely get the next crack.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 