Former light heavyweight world champion, Jean Pascal, is back on the hunt for a world title after a defeat to Sergey Kovalev in March. Jean is fighting on the undercard of Sergey Kovalev vs Nadjib Mohammedi on the 25th of July against unbeaten Yunieski Gonzalez. I had the good fortune to catch up with the Montreal favorite in a recent interview, where we spoke about the upcoming fight, Andre Ward moving to light heavyweight and dreams of becoming a two time world champion.

Adam Noble-Forcey: You’re on the under-card of Sergey Kovalev vs Nadjib Mohammedi on July 25th. Last time you were out, you suffered a defeat to Sergey Kovalev, could you tell us about the fight and what you learned from it?

Jean Pascal: Yes, it was a bad night for me, but Kovalev, I will take nothing away from him. He is a great champion, very good with both hands. He can punch with the left and right. Honestly, I feel I can beat Sergey Kovalev, that’s why I asked for the rematch after the fight. March 14th just wasn’t my night. He was hitting me a lot with the jab, but I had trouble blocking the jab. I need to fix a few things and come back stronger.

Adam Noble-Forcey: After a defeat in such a big fight, are you looking to make a statement in your upcoming fight?

Jean Pascal: Of course. I‘m looking to make a statement in my next fight because I want to show the world that I’m not going nowhere, I’m still very fit and still very good. I lost against Sergey Kovalev, but I can come back stronger and wiser.

Adam Noble-Forcey: Would you still be interested in a fight with Adonis Stevenson? Last year you seemed very keen on that fight.

Jean Pascal: I would love to fight Adonis Stevenson, but he only likes to fight taxi drivers. I guess that’s why he is still champion. Me? I’m a great warrior; I want to fight the best to prove I’m the best. My ultimate goal is to become two time world champion, so if I have to face Sergey Kovalev again or Adonis Stevenson, I have no problem with that.

Adam Noble-Forcey: Your next fight is in Las Vegas, you have made Montreal a real home ground. Did you feel the pressure fighting in Montreal with so much expectation on you?

Jean Pascal: The reason I decided to fight in Las Vegas was to stay active and come back really, really fast. Montreal is a great town for boxing, I don’t feel any pressure. It only gives me motivation fighting in front of my people and my fans give me motivation. I am expecting to fight in Montreal at the end of the year. I’m looking to remain busy as I’m coming to the end of my career, I’ve signed with a new promoter and am looking to stay busy for the next five years.

Adam Noble-Forcey: It looks highly likely that Andre Ward will be joining the light heavyweight division. What are your thoughts?

Jean Pascal: That would be nice for the division. Andre Ward is a great fighter. He’s proved he’s one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world at super middleweight. If he comes to our division, that can only be good for the division. He’s going to have some serious competition between Adonis Stevenson, Sergey Kovalev and myself. It’s going to be very interesting for the fans.

(Click play to listen to the Jean Pascal interview in it’s entirety)