Jean Pascal and Badou Jack have pretty much been on a course for a rematch since their controversial and thrilling first fight in late 2019, and the two will get a chance to settle the score with one another on Sunday, June 6, when they meet on the Floyd Mayweather-Logan Paul card.
The 38-year-old Pascal (35-6-1, 20 KO) says he’s been training since December in Puerto Rico, and that he’s wanted this rematch since their first bout.
“I respect Badou, but he’s always whining after he loses. The judges said I won the fight and that’s it,” Pascal said. “The first fight, in the first six rounds I did everything well. I might have gotten a little overconfident. I took it a bit too easy after that. The fight got close because of that knockdown he got that wasn’t from a real punch. Without that, it wouldn’t have even been close.”
Pascal added that he must pace himself better this time around — he was nearly out in the 12th and final round — and that as a veteran, he shouldn’t have “gotten excited” the way he did and wasted energy early.
“I do believe that Badou respects my power. If he doesn’t, then he better watch that fourth round again,” Pascal said. “But I also have skills with my power. I am naturally gifted and I have the better skills. I was born for this sport and built to win. He’s coming for revenge and I’m coming with bad intentions.”
Jack (23-3-3, 13 KO) definitely is looking for a measure of revenge, and the 37-year-old is working with a new trainer in Johnathon Banks. The two were first together for a tune-up last November, and Jack says he’s in “amazing shape” as far as his conditioning goes.
“We have two judges for this fight: the right hand and the left hand. That’s it,” Jack said. “I’m very confident for this fight and I’m not worried about the judges. I know Jean Pascal is a warrior, and I’m a warrior. I’m just ready to fight.”
Jack admitted he “needs to start faster,” and said he expects action just like last time.
“This is going to be a firefight. We already know that,” he said. “Boxing is not a game and I’m going to show everyone that and try to steal the show.”