Looking for one last shot at a world title, Jean Pascal has more chances of playing his next fight against Joshua Buatsi in Montreal as it is American promoter Lou DiBella who won the tender in favor of the Quebecers.
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According to talkSPORT.com reporter Michael Benson, DiBella offered $975,000 on Tuesday, which is higher than the $875,000 advanced by Eddie Hearn, who represents Buatsi’s interests.
However, influential British promoter Frank Warren is also involved in the case. He would love Buatsi to fight in his native England. The Queensberry Promotions bandleader made his intentions clear on social media on Tuesday, saying he “wants to work with Lou to put on this big fight in the UK”.
In 2008 Pascal had his only professional fight in the Old Continent when he lowered his flag to Carl Froch in Nottingham.
Across the Atlantic, the Lavallois fought his last fight in Quebec against Steve Bossé in July 2018 at the Place Bell. Since then, the 39-year-old boxer has fought four fights against tough opponents, each time in the United States.
Contacted via email, Pascal’s manager Greg Leon said: “He doesn’t expect a fight in Montreal against Buatsi, but anything is possible.”
Pascal (36-6-1, 20 KOs) and Buatsi (16-0, 13 KOs) will step into the ring for an International Boxing Federation (IBF) eliminator, possibly in the fall. The winner becomes mandatory for light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev.
The veteran has returned to the IBF after beating Marcus Browne, Badou Jack and Fanlong Meng in the last three years. His victory against the Chinese in May left a stain on the perfect map of one who aspires to the highest honors.