Badou Jack and Jean Pascal set to run their blood battle back
Well it looks like Regular WBA World Light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal (35-6-1, 20 KO’s) and Badou “The Ripper” Jack (23-3-3, 13 KO’s) are all set to stage a rematch. The two initially locked horns on December 28, 2019 in what turned out to be a controversial split decision loss for Jack. After waging twelve rounds of a hard-fought war, Pascal was awarded what many believed to be a bogus win. Pascal has not fought since that match.
Since losing to Pascal, The Ripper got back into the win column with his November 11, 2020 defeat of Blake McKernan. The McKernan victory snapped a two-fight losing streak for Jack. Prior to the Pascal dust-up, he lost his WBA Light Heavyweight title to Marcus Browne via unanimous decision. Browne would lose the title to Pascal in his very next fight.
REVENGE OR REPEAT?
Similar to his win over Badou Jack, Pascal’s win over Browne also had an asterisk attached. After taking an early lead in the fight, Browne was floored three times in rapid fashion. Yet it was an eighth round accidental headbutt that put the nail in his coffin. The collision immediately opened a gaping wound along his eyelid. The gash was ghastly and forced referee Gary Rosato to call in the ring doctor. The fight was discontinued quickly after the doctors’ counsel and went to the scorecards. Due to the trio of trips that he suffered, Browne would go on to lose on the cards.
It will be interesting to see how The Ripper performs in the rematch. Even with his recent pair of losses, he is still ranked #3 (WBC), #11 (WBA), #11 (IBF) and #12 (WBO) at light heavyweight. With this upcoming bout, he has the chance to, both, get revenge and reclaim his WBA title. Will he be able to use his previous in-ring experience with Pascal to formulate a strategic battle plan for the rematch? Will he be able to get off to a quicker and more proficient start? Or, will age play a factor in the match? Jean Pascal, 38, is generally thought to be an aging fighter. Yet, Jack, 37, is only one year younger. All in all, it will be revealing to see what form the two boxers assume on fight night.
By: Bakari Simpson
