By Niall Doran

See: Mayweather Finally Breaks Silence After Mexico

This weekend big time boxing officially opens its account for 2014 with some quality action in Montreal, Canada. The headlining act as it were is topped by a mouthwatering all Canadian clash between Jean Pascal and Lucian Bute which is sure to create a rapturous atmosphere amongst the Canadian faithful in attendance. Before I get into my Pascal vs Bute prediction I think it’s important to consider a few things firstly…

On paper and with the bookmakers this one is a fairly even, 50/50 contest, but when have odds ever mattered before in this glorious sport of ours where things like heart and single punches can often take precedence over mathematically formulated risk-assessed equations generated by economically gifted employees at various bookmaking establishments. In other words, once that proverbial first smack lands on the ol chops, past-form and statistics very often go straight out the window!

Going into this one both men will obviously have a lot of pride on the line fighting on their home patch and also will both likely have a lot to prove. Granted both men are coming off the back of wins, but both in the not too distant past lost big fights (Pascal to Bhop and Bute to Froch) and will really be looking to get back onto the elite level, world title scene once again. Although this isn’t a world title bout, it has all the makings of a classic encounter.

Style wise perhaps Bute will look to keep it long with maybe a slight height advantage and minimal if any reach advantage. Pascal has been known to engage in wars in the past and perhaps this could be a classic case of hunter vs hunted, boxer vs puncher?

For me, I just wonder how much that defeat to Froch took out of Bute mentally to be honest. In his return fight he didn’t look all that impressive and I wonder could we maybe have seen his best days past him now.

I’ve been wrong before and will be again, but I just think Pascal will take this one on sheer ferocity and more than likely by stoppage. Also keep an eye out for Mikey Garcia and Mike Perez who are back in action this weekend.

Pascal vs Bute prediction – Pascal win via KO/TKO

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Also check out HBO’s quality video build up to the fight below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqZk0tnEhdk

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