Jean Pascal knows a little something about quality fighters. A stellar amateur and world champion as a professional, Pascal has shared the ring with a number of elite operators.
The Canadian veteran has faced Carl Froch, Bernard Hopkins, and Sergey Kovalev in his storied career, and ahead of his summer rematch with Sweden’s Badou Jack, Pascal has spent time in the ring with Logan Paul.
Pascal’s bout with Jack is chief support to the YouTube sensation’s exhibition with Floyd Mayweather on June 6 and the light-heavyweight contender has been in Puerto Rico helping Paul prepare.
The event has received wide criticism due to the gulf in class between the two combatants, but Pascal admits that his sessions with Paul have forced him to praise the internet star’s willingness to accept the challenge of Mayweather.
"First of all, it's not a circus because any boxer who trains to get into a ring deserves our respect. Boxing is a very difficult sport. It's like going to war," Pascal told Radio Canada. "You never know what's going to happen and you never know if you're going to come back.
"The reason Logan Paul has all my respect is that right now he's training with me in Puerto Rico. He moved his training camp to Puerto Rico. I did sparring with him and I can tell you that he impressed me. For a beginner he is very good. He is very agile. He is versatile.”