It was all for nothing.
Today we found out Jean Pascal will have a new mandatory opponent as the deadline has passed for Joshua Buatsi’s team to make the fight for the IBF light heavyweight #1 contender spot.
The purse bid was won by DiBella Entertainment, which shocked many as Matchroom Boxing who promotes Buatsi, a medalist at the 2016 Olympics, didn't win the bid. DiBella’s bid was $975,000, a whole hundred thousand more than Matchroom’s bid of $875,000.
When Anthony Yarde, who is rumored to face Artur Beterbiev next, declined the fight, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez opted to face Dmitry Bivol instead. Jean Pascal was the next fighter up.
Pascal’s manager took to Twitter to voice his frustration.
How to [expletive] up a fight up by @EddieHearn," said G. Leon via Twitter.” Step 1 offer @jeanpascalchamp less then he got for meng. Step 2. Underestimate my ability to secure backing when I called for the purse bid. Step 3. Lose bid bc of step 2. Step 4: make your image more important than @boxingbuatsi..."
The sad part is this was a truly interesting fight involving a veteran, as well as one of the new exciting faces of boxing in Buatsi.
“This is disappointing news for boxing fans. I was looking forward to giving @JoshuaBuatsi his first loss as the A side fighter in his backyard.They wanted VADA testing, we agreed,” said Pascal via Twitter.” @Vada_Testing can confirm they’ve had my paperwork for a week pending Buatsi signature on a contract.”
Lou DiBella followed by posting on his Twitter account seemingly a letter from Margaret Goodman, the head of VADA stating that VADA test was in place for the fight once the bout was signed.
We have yet to fully get Buatsi's side, which should be coming soon, and it will be interesting to hear what exactly happened.
