Jean Pascal confirms he will retire. When asked what he remembers about his career, he replied: “Colorful.”
• Also read: Alexis Barrier defeated in Philadelphia
• Also read: Makhmudov won by decision in England
“I'm happy with my career, I've done great things, I've been honest with myself. But I think I was ahead of my time and maybe that's why I wasn't really appreciated.”
“I have done great things for Quebec boxing. I was the first boxer to go through an athletic training program. I brought the greatest names in boxing to Quebec with Bernard Hopkins and Sergey Kovalev.”
Jean Pascal could also add to this his many titles, including the WBC light heavyweight title, which he held from 2009 to 2011.
Last Stand
After his defeat to Michal Cieslak last summer, he suggested it might be time to turn the page. He intends to do so, but not before making the final turn in the ring.
“This decision was not easy to make, I am a fighter at heart, but all good things must come to an end. I want to do like Michael Jackson and do the last lap to say goodbye to my fans,” he said during a phone call on Tuesday.
“I want to party and celebrate the Quebec fight against a Quebec opponent. I'm proud of my Haitian roots, but Quebec is what made me a fighter for over two decades.”
He estimates the fight could take place in the first quarter of 2026, either March or April, and has several opponents in mind.
Bird in a cage
Jean Pascal (37-8-1, 21 KOs) mentioned the name of Francis Lafrenière (20-7-2, 11 KOs) for this exhibition fight, noting that the Coteau-du-Lac boxer would have told him it would “be like his own personal world championship.”
But Pascal has at least two other ideas, including the idea of meeting David Loiseau, the forerunner of mixed martial arts in Quebec. Loiseau will turn 46 in December and has compiled a 23-11 record inside the Octagon.
“He threw darts at me for months in and out of the ring, knocking me out,” Pascal notes with a smile.
“He's a pioneer of his sport and a legend, like me. It's done in the United States, MMA, the Jake Pauls of this world do it. Why [on] wouldn't do this? I would make him win. In the event of a loss, the loser will be given a rematch in their chosen sport. What he doesn’t know is that I did aikido when I was young, I made him fly in a cage,” laughed Pascal, emphasizing his crude puns.
Then he has another opponent he would like to face.
“I also thought about David Lemieux (43-5, 36 KOs), he was a great fighter, he retired after his last fight in the USA. This would be a great way for him to complete the circle, two good strikers at Place Bell or at the Bell Center,” dreams Jean Pascal.
And after?
At 42 years old, Jean Pascal is still young and already thinking about the next chapter of his professional life, which is quickly approaching.
“I've had a very successful career and it's time to make the transition. I see myself as a business owner, I might even go into politics to follow in the footsteps of my biological father, who was in politics.”
After speaking with a representative MagazineHe also contacted his lawyer to finalize his athlete management firm. He also dreams of being in front of the camera, and no one should be surprised by this.
“I see myself in the media, be it as an evening or morning show host. I have expressed my interest and have already appeared in some serials.
