Pascal-Hopkins Rematch Ordered by the WBC

Posted by Ramon Aranda on 01.14.2011

The organization grants Hopkins the rematch.



After weeks of complaints about the draw between light heavyweight champ Jean Pascal and former champ Bernard Hopkins, the WBC Board of Governors has voted in favor of an immediate rematch between the two for the WBC 175-pound title.

"I'd like to thank Mr. Jose Sulaiman and the WBC Board of Governors for ordering an immediate rematch between Pascal and I," said Hopkins. "This is a great thing for boxing and hopefully fans will get to see another great fight with Pascal and I. I'm looking forward to starting off the New Year by making history as the oldest athlete to win a major championship in ANY sport."

Hopkins performed well against Pascal, easily winning most of the rounds, but early knockdowns proved to hurt B-Hop on the cards, as he'd have to settle for a draw.

"I'm very happy the WBC did the right thing," said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, Hopkins' promoter. "I think Bernard clearly deserves the immediate rematch. I feel very strongly that Bernard Hopkins won the fight. Now we just need to get it on again. I am sure that Bernard will leave no doubt that he is the Light Heavyweight World Champion. I'm going to be talking to [Pascal's promoter] Yvon Michel and, based on the conversations I've had with him in the last few days, he and Jean Pascal are interested in the fight."