Jean Pascal Triumphs with Last-Round Knockout over Terry Osias

Jean Pascal, the seasoned Canadian boxer, secured a dramatic victory against Terry Osias with a knockout in the tenth and final round on Saturday. This bout, held at the Colisée de Laval, marked Pascal’s return to the ring after an absence of over a year and a half.

Throughout the fight, Pascal faced significant challenges. In the early rounds, Pascal and Osias, who were once training partners, appeared to know each other’s moves too well, leading to a stalemate in their exchanges. It wasn’t until the sixth round that Pascal began to deliver his signature power punches.

The climax came when Pascal delivered a decisive left hook to Osias’ ear, ensuring his victory. This fight was his first since his last match more than 18 months ago. Despite the lengthy pause, Pascal, aged 41, demonstrated his enduring prowess in the ring.

Reflecting on this victory, Pascal acknowledged his age and experience, noting, “Like a good wine, I age well with time.” He also retained his characteristic bravado, often taunting his opponent with gestures, though his attempts to execute his infamous “eyelash pinch” maneuver were unsuccessful.

Terry Osias, experiencing his first career defeat in 14 professional fights, had been controlling the fight for much of the evening. Observers noted that Pascal seemed to battle through a potential leg injury, which may have impacted his performance until he unleashed his decisive punch.

Future prospects for Pascal quickly emerged, as WBC number one contender Ryan Rozicki was present at the event. Rozicki openly challenged Pascal, proposing a fight following multiple postponements of his scheduled bout with current titleholder Norair Mikaeljan.

The World Boxing Council (WBC) has expressed interest in arranging an interim fight between Pascal and Rozicki, potentially on November 2, pending Pascal’s recovery from the intense 10-round battle. Rozicki, acknowledging Pascal’s veteran status, stated he would be “ready when Pascal is ready.” Pascal hinted that this fight might take place in Montreal.

In an evening filled with promising local talent, the undercard featured primarily Quebec-based fighters. Of the 20 boxers on the program, 16 had fewer than five professional fights, with four making their professional debuts.

One standout performance came from Derek Pomerleau, who won his tenth consecutive fight by knocking out Marcelo Coceres in the fifth round. Pomerleau displayed resilience, overcoming a difficult start to claim victory with a powerful left jab followed by a right-hook combination.