In an action-packed and entertaining co-featured bout in which both fighters went down, Jean Pascal (35-6-1, 20 KOs) defended his WBA Light Heavyweight Title with a split-decision victory over two-division champion Badou Jack (22-3-3, 13 KOs), much to the dismay of a pro-Jack crowd at State Farm Arena. The judges scored the fight 114-112 in favor of Pascal twice, and 114-112 in favor of Jack once.
Fought at a blazing pace from the opening bell, the bout was a tale of two halves. Pascal led 50-44 on all three scorecards after five rounds and controlled much of the fight’s first half as he started quickly and scored a fourth-round knockdown. Jack, who went down for the fourth time in his career, was caught on the temple by a massive overhand right that sent him stumbling to the canvas.
However, Sweden’s Jack finished the fight strongly, out-landing Pascal 141-76 in overall punches and 134-121 in power punches. He capped off what he thought would be a victorious fight with a devastating four-punch barrage that knocked down Pascal for just the second time in his career in the 12th round. Jack finished the fight with advantages of 244-155 in overall punches landed, including 120-35 in jabs and 124-120 on power punches. Jack was also the more accurate puncher (39 percent to 28 percent overall) but Pascal’s punches hurt Jack at the end of several rounds.
Both fighters put in an extraordinary performance, particularly in the 12th round, a late contender for round of the year, as Pascal and Jack both looked to close the show until the final bell. When asked about a possible rematch, Pascal and Jack both expressed an interest.
“I won this fight, it was a close fight but I won it,” said the 37-year-old Pascal. “Badou is a great fighter but no one can say he was robbed. I won that fight. I’m the champ. I think I was in control the whole fight. I kept the middle of the ring most of the time. Badou is a great fighter, but I won the fight.
“I can finish every round very strong. I’m a strong, pressure fighter. Badou - thanks for the fight. I know the crowd enjoyed the show. I’ll do the rematch any time”
“Of course I feel I won the fight, but it is what it is,” said Jack, who has now had six of his last eight fights end in draws, split decisions or majority decisions. “He’s got a hell of a chin, he’s a tough warrior and I want to thank him for the opportunity. I thought I was winning but maybe I’m wrong. I would love a rematch.”
“I think he caught me up here (on top of head),” he said when asked by Gray about the fourth-round knockdown. “I didn’t really see the punch. I wasn’t that hurt but it was a good punch.”
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