Kuziemski concedes Pascal has edge
POLISH FIGHTER is just the opponent Montreal boxer needs after a 19-month layoff
This week, Polish lightheavyweight Aleksy Kuziemski was forced to wait for over four hours in Paris, his connecting flight to Montreal delayed. That should be his biggest problem.
Friday night at the Bell Centre, Kuziemski’s mandate is to derail the comeback of former World Boxing Council 175-pound champion Jean Pascal, who fights for the first time in 19 months in the 10-round, non-title main event. Without a title at stake, the two have agreed to a contract limit of 180 pounds.
Pascal hasn’t fought since losing his crown to Bernard Hopkins in May 2011, potential bouts cancelled after Pascal sustained injuries to his shoulder and hand.
On Wednesday morning, when the two combatants met for the first time at a news conference held at a downtown Montreal restaurant, Kuziemski displayed far too much respect for the supremely confident Pascal. Indeed, the European sounded like he already was conceding defeat.
“It’s a great honour to be here to fight a former world champion and, who knows, a future world champion,” Kuziemski said through his matchmaker and interpreter, Robert Krzak. “I’ll do my best.”
Kuziemski (23-4, with 7 knockouts) displayed a modicum of potential as an amateur, capturing bronze at the 2003 world championships. A year later, he won another bronze at the European championships. Kuziemski represented his country at the 2004 Olympics, losing in the first round to Kazakhstan’s Beibut Shumenov, now the World Boxing Association light-heavyweight champ.
But Kuziemski, it could be argued, was better suited for the amateur game, where a punch carries the same significance as a knockdown.
Despite his weight, the Pole appears to lack significant power. Also, whenever he has stepped up to fight superior opposition, he generally has been outclassed, losing two title opportunities.
In August 2009, he was stopped in the 11th round by German Jurgen Brahmer for the interim World Boxing Organization light-heavyweight title. Two years later, in May 2011, Kuziemski was stopped in four by WBO champ Nathan Cleverly.
Kuziemski had Cleverly in trouble before sustaining a cut over his left eye. Also, Kuziemski ventured to England to meet Cleverly, taking the bout on short notice, forcing him to make weight with little time — never con- sidered a recipe for success.
Kuziemski has been inconsistent of late, splitting his last four bouts. He has lost three of his last seven and four of 10, being stopped three times. At age 35, he presumably is running short of opportunities.
“I’m not totally satisfied with my pro career, but I still believe I can be a world champion,” he said. “My amateur career’s in the past. How long can you be an amateur? I’ve had time to prepare and had good sparring. You never know, if Jean Pascal isn’t ready, we can have an upset.
“I’ve learned from my losses ... and understand my mistakes,” Kuziemski added. “I wanted to win too much and traded punches. That was a big mistake.”
Kuziemski’s a serviceable pro, but he’s also considered a non-threatening opponent — exactly what Pascal requires following a lengthy layoff. He might give Pascal some rounds, which he requires at this point, but it’s difficult to see Kuziemski staging an upset.
Although Kuziemski has stopped three opponents since December 2010 — Dmitri Protkunas, Roman Vanicky and Leo Tchoula, all in Poland — the trio had a combined record of 29-58-3.
Kuziemski himself admits he has found few weaknesses in Pascal. “It’s very hard to find any in his boxing and skills,” he said.
“He’s versatile. He’s good at fighting at a distance, keeping an opponent at bay. I don’t know. I’ll see what I can do. But for now, it’s hard to say what weaknesses I’ll find. I consider Jean Pascal one of the best fighters at lightheavyweight.
“Maybe I’m not one of the best,” Kuziemski said, “but I’m very close to the top fighters in the division. For sure, I’m not a puncher. I’m versatile and can adjust. I have good skills. This fight matters. I’ve lost twice for the world title. I’m 35, but I feel good. I’m not burned out or washed up. For me, age isn’t a problem.”
Kuziemski realizes he’s a decided underdog. He understands Pascal already has a bout sanctioned against WBC champ Chad Dawson in late March, and can only wonder what’s running through the former champ’s head.
“I personally hope Pascal will be 80 or 90 per cent of his former self,” matchmaker Krzak said. “I don’t expect, with all due respect, he’ll be as good as he was (in August 2010) against Dawson. I don’t think he’ll take (Kuziemski) as seriously as he did Hopkins.”