JEAN PASCAL HAND INJURY POSTPONES AUG 11 IBF LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT ON SHOWTIME® AGAINST UNDEFEATED DEFENDING CHAMPION TAVORIS CLOUD

MONTREAL (July 26, 2012) - The much-anticipated showdown between undefeated International Boxing Federation (IBF) light heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud (24-0, 19 KOs), of Tallahassee, Fla., and popular hometown favorite and former World Boxing Council (WBC) light heavyweight titleholder Jean Pascal (26-2-1, 16 KOs), scheduled for August 11 live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on SHOWTIME®, has been postponed to a later date due to a right-hand injury sustained by Pascal during a sparring session 1 ½ weeks ago. "To tell you the truth, Pascal said at yesterday's press conference in Montreal, "I was so sad when the decision was made that I even cried. This is the first time it's happened to me for a fight. I haven't fought in 15 months and this was a golden opportunity for me. Thanks to everybody involved for rescheduling. This will make me stronger when I get in the ring." The "Shock Wave In Montreal" undercard, featuring an IBF super middleweight title eliminator betweenCanadian knockout artist Adonis "Superman" Stevenson, (18-1, 15 KOs), of Montreal, and United States Boxing Association (USBA) champion Donovan "Da Bomb" George (22-2-1, 19 KOs), of Chicago, Illinois, has been postponed until late August or early September. "Jean Pascal tried hard to fight through his hand injury with a cortisone shot and therapy," Pascal's promoter Yvon Michel (GYM) explained, "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. "Jean is a warrior. He tried extremely hard to convince us to let him fight because he believed he could beat Cloud with one good hand like he did when he defeated Adrian Diaconu (December, 2009) with a dislocated shoulder. At 29 years old and reaching his peak, we were not about to let him jeopardize his career by fighting injured. Jean has always challenged and fought best during his career. He certainly is not afraid of Cloud. "Cloud vs. Pascal is the best fight the light heavyweight division can provide. Both are fan friendly fighters who want to establish themselves as the best puncher in the 175-pound division. It's a huge fight in Montreal where tickets sales were very high and we were headed for a crowd of 10,000, which is great for a summer event in Montreal. Fans deserve to watch these two fighters at their physical bests. We are working with Stephen Espinoza (Showtime) and Don King to reschedule this great show in the fall. We are all committed to rescheduling and grateful that Showtime recognizes Cloud vs. Pascal as one of the most entertaining light heavyweight match-ups in years. Within a week we hope to have everything finalized in terms of rescheduled this great fight." "Pascal has Tavorisitis," 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. "Pascal has been tweeting that he had a sad day because his Mercedes-Benz had a flat tire. Well, Tavoris is going to give Pascal a flat ass to go with his flat tire. This is going to be the fight of the decade. Tweet that! "Tavoris Cloud is decreeing war on Jean Pascal and he's taking no prisoners. 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!!!" "When Tavoris heard Pascal said he cried over this injury, he said to just wait until he gets done with Pascal, he'll be crying like a baby." Tickets purchased for the August 11th show will be honored on the new Cloud vs. Pascal date, but may also be reimbursed at point of purchase.

TAVORIS CLOUD VS. JEAN PASCAL IBF LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

SATURDAY, AUG. 11, LIVE ON SHOWTIME^®

KICKOFF PRESS CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Cloud: “Pascal’s style and my style are perfect for each other;

It will be a hell of a fight”

Pascal: “This fight will not go the distance”

MONTREAL (June 13, 2012) – In front of a packed room of television cameras, radio microphones and sports writers at Restaurant 9-4-10 within Montreal’s Bell Centre, undefeated International Boxing Federation (IBF) light heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud (24-0, 19 KOs), of Tallahassee, Fla., and popular hometown favorite and former World Boxing Council (WBC) light heavyweight titleholder Jean Pascal (26-2-1, 16 KOs) held a press conference Wednesday to formally announce their upcoming world title showdown on Saturday, Aug. 11, SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING live onSHOWTIME^® from Bell Centre. 

There was a respectful but intense atmosphere to announce what could potentially be the division's best matchup in years between two young fighters in their prime.  Hall of Fame promoter Don King, who promotes Cloud, waved Canadian flags while sporting his signature U.S. jean jacket throughout the press conference. 

The co-feature will match Canadian knockout artist Adonis “Superman” Stevenson, (18-1, 15 KOs) of Montreal , againstan opponent to be announced in a super middleweight bout.

At the press conference, SHOWTIME Sports^® announced that future Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins would be joining the Aug. 11 telecast as a special guest analyst. With his success in the light heavyweight division coupled with his firsthand experience traveling to Canada to take on Pascal and his legions of fans, Hopkins will offer a unique perspective and commentary to the viewers at home.

Here’s what the participants had to say Wednesday:

Tavoris Cloud:

“When I think about this fight, wow. Pascal’s style and my style are perfect for each other. It will be a hell of a fight. Nevertheless, I’m coming away with my title still intact

“I’m just glad to be here. Montreal is a beautiful place. I’m putting in a lot of hard work for this fight and on Aug. 11, I look forward to putting on a great show for you guys.

“Pascal could think he is the gatekeeper to bigger and better things for me, but I just come in and fight my fight.”

Jean Pascal:

“I have two words to say finally: I’m back.  It’s been a long, long time but this show is going to be a great night for Quebec. I’d like to thank Yvon Michel, Greg Leon, Don King and Team Cloud for giving me a shot because I know I am a good boxer. He’s the champion and I really respect Cloud because he’s like me. He’s a good guy, a family man and he wants to fight the best.

“The reason why I took this fight is simple. It’s because of you guys, the fans. You want to see the best versus the best. I am the former world champion. He is the current world champion but unfortunately for him on Aug. 11, he is going to leave as the former world champion and I am going to be a two-time world champion.

“This man right here (Cloud) is dangerous. He is hungry but, with all due respect, I don’t think you are going to make your name on me. I know this is a big opportunity for you because I ‘m the door to success and big money.

“You’re a warrior like me and this fight will not go to the distance. I’m not saying that I’m going to knock him out. That’s not what I’m saying right now. I’m just saying it won’t go the distance which is why you have to tune in Aug. 11.  I love challenges. I told Yvon, no tune up fights. Let’s face the guy at the top. That’s how I’ll get back on top. I hope Cloud comes in the best shape because I don’t want any excuses. And I won’t have any excuses either.”

Adonis Stevenson:

“I would like to thank SHOWTIME and Group Yvon Michel. I don’t have my opponent yet but he’s coming soon hopefully. Now the IBF champion is Carl Froch. It isn’t Lucian Bute anymore but I will be focused. Obviously, Aug. 11 is very important to me. I’d like to be the No. 1 (mandatory challenger for the IBF title) but no one wants to fight me. It’s always some reason. No money, no this, no that. I know that’s [untrue] but now I’ll just stay focused on the fight ahead of me.

“Emmanuel Steward is my trainer now. He is training Wladmir Klitschko and next week I will go to Klitschko’s camp and start my training there.”

Don King, Cloud’s Promoter:

“Bonjour to all the beautiful people of Montreal because this is like home to me. We had Sugar Ray Leonard here who changed the globe and took on Roberto Duran right here in Montreal. How did we get to Montreal? Because it’s one of the fairest cities in the world. We were looking for a neutral site and we picked Montreal. Sugar Ray Leonard came in and Roberto Duran beat him – because we got our fair shake in Montreal.

“Pascal has an opportunity now to take over for Bute (as Canada’s most popular fighter). Can he do it? He seems to think so but thunder is in the air. There will be lightning bolts striking so I don’t know. I think it’s going to be a devastating storm that night on Aug. 11.

“The Bell Centre is going to be the hour, the hour of the talk around the world. Not only is it going to be seen on SHOWTIME, it’s going to be seen around the world. It’s going to be a super extravaganza. It’s going to be a provocateur to titillate your taste buds. I know Pascal. I know how he has tried so desperately to be approved and respected by his fellow countrymen. So he is going to be giving everything he can and then some. And I know “Thunder” Cloud, he didn’t come up here to leave that (IBF Light Heavyweight) belt. Pascal is going to have to take it. And to take it, that means he is going to have to go up against the thunder the lighting and the rain.”

Yvon Michel:

“This fight is going to be not only the most important boxing event this year but I also believe that Aug. 11 will be the biggest sporting event of the year in Quebec.

“Each time we have a big event in Montreal, each time Jean Pascal is fighting, we have celebrities come out. For this fight will have the celebrity of celebrities, Don King, to co-promote the event. He is the only boxing promoter to be named one of the 40 most influential people in sports over the last 50 years by Sports Illustrated. And he is our prestigious guest here today.

“Tavoris Cloud and Jean Pascal have amazing power. Adonis Stevenson is the purest puncher I’ve ever seen. To have three guys with steel hands competing on Aug. 11, I think we’ll see two fantastic fights.”

Al Bonanni, Cloud’s Trainer:

“These are the two best light heavyweights in the world. SHOWTIME took the fight, not because they love us, but because these are the two best light heavyweights in the world. Unfortunately for Pascal, I have the best light heavyweight in the world.

“We’re training very, very hard. We started in Miami, Fla., five weeks ago and now we’re at Don King’s Gym in Ohio, across the river from here. So we can see Canada from where we’re training. Cloud could fight tomorrow. He’s 12 pounds off weight and ready to go. I thank you for the hospitality. I thank you for the money we’re going to make. And it’s going to be a great feeling to go back home with the belt again.”

Marc Ramsay, Pascal’s Trainer:

“I just really want to thank SHOWTIME, Don King and Group Yvon Michel for making this fight happen, to give us the opportunity to go straight back to the top. And that’s exactly what we’re going to do. We’re going straight to the top.”

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