Is this the end of the journey for Jean Pascal?
The question arises after his defeat by unanimous decision and without contest against the German Michael Eifert, Thursday evening, at Place Bell, in Laval.
One arm in the air, Pascal obviously expected another decision. But the judges’ cards were relentless: 118-110, 117-11 and 115-113, all in favor of the 24-year-old German, despite boos from the crowd and disbelief from the Quebecer’s corner.
Eifert (12-1, 5 KOs), who seemed convinced of his triumph when he climbed into the corner to harangue the public, thus becomes the obligatory contender for the light heavyweight world champion belt of the IBF, currently owned by Montreal slugger Artur Beterbiev.
Widely favored by forecasters and analysts, Pascal, 40, must now analyze his future.
The former world champion (36-7-1, 20 K.-O) had predicted a K.-O. against Eifert, a former unified youth champion who had never left Europe. Only a significant victory would allow him to continue his road to a world championship, he added, without deciding on the possibility of retirement.
Apart from three or four flashes, often at the end of the assault, Pascal rarely managed to touch and even less to shake the German. Methodical, he controlled the ring and the pace of the fight.
In the 12th, a final left hook from Pascal, which didn’t hit the target and knocked him off balance, looked like a hail mary. 4012 spectators attended the card.
