The August 11 light heavyweight showdown between undefeated IBF champ Tavoris Cloud (24-0, 19 KOs) and contender Jean Pascal (26-2-1, 16 KOs) has been postponed due to a recent right-hand injury sustained by Pascal during a sparring session. No new date has been set.
“Pascal has Tavorisitis,” said Cloud’s promoter Don King. “He needs more time to get his courage up to fight this smaller version of Tyson. Tavoris is of the Tyson ilk. He’s a search-and-destroy kind of guy."
“Tavoris Cloud is decreeing war on Jean Pascal and he’s taking no prisoners," said King. "He told me he can’t wait to get to Canada to destroy this faker and win the hearts and minds of his new Canadian brothers and sisters. Viva Canada!"
Both fighters were hoping for a good showing in this bout in order to bring back some much-needed momentum to their careers.
Pascal had not fought in 15 months after losing his WBC title to Bernard Hopkins. Cloud also could have used a quality victory, especially given his recent "gift" decision against Gabriel Campillo.
“Jean Pascal tried hard to fight through his hand injury with a cortisone shot and therapy,” Pascal’s promoter Yvon Michel stated. “But after yesterday’s second MRI on his hand, we were notified by Dr. Francis Fontaine that he would not give medical clearance for Jean Pascal to fight on August 11. The evaluation revealed that Jean has a bone bruise and only rest can heal it. He was in good physical condition and his weight was right where we wanted it to be at this stage. He had an excellent training camp, right on target, preparing to fight Cloud."
The promoters expressed hope that a new date could be finalized within one week.
By Staff of The Daily Sports Herald and news services
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