The question of the day . . . Was it a quick stoppage? That's the question making the rounds today. Jean Pascal was hurt a number of times and almost knocked out of the ring in round 3 with his fight against Sergey Kovalev.
However, after the knockdown, Pascal came on strong and appeared to have hurt and stunned Kovalev at times during the fight. It was the kind of fight where it was a shame that either fighter had to lose. It had everything a fight fan could possibly want. The fight ended when Pascal got up from a knockdown in round eight and was hit with two solid right hands by Kovalev, the referee had seen enough and stepped in to waive the fight off.
"It was a good fight for the fans, an action fight. I did my best," Pascal stated. "I don't want to take anything away from Kovalev. He's a great champion but that was a bulls--- stoppage because I was still in the fight. That was a tough fight for both of us, and I don't know why the referee just stopped the fight. It's not hockey.
"I was in the fight from the first round. I'm sure that I gave him his toughest fight. We should do it again. We should have a rematch," said Pascal.
Kovalev responded, "I'm ready for any fight. If my promoter [Kathy Duva of Main Events] says I need to fight Jean Pascal again, I am ready."
"We want a rematch," advisor Greg Leon told the Sweet Science. "The stoppage was a tad early for a fighter down only once in his entire career! And on that had shown an ability to recover." According to Leon, there was only a rematch clause if Pascal won. "But, I believe HBO will want a rematch, it's a good TV fight. And where can Kovalev make more money, than on HBO in a rematch?"
