BADOU JACK wants revenge on Jean Pascal and a cruiserweight title – but will first ‘take care of business’ on Mike Tyson’s undercard.
The Swede was narrowly beaten by Canadian Pascal on a split decision last December.
Badou Jack was beaten by Jean Pascal on points last year
Jack pictured alongside Mike Tyson and Viddal Riley
His rematch was then cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic, with the fight now looking set early in 2021.
But the delay has allowed him to feature on Tyson’s comeback bill next Saturday as he faces little-known Blake McKernan.
Jack told SunSport: “It’s a different event, usually I fight world class fighters, this guy isn’t a world class fighter.
“I respect anybody who gets in the ring but I’m gonna take care of business.
“This is dedicated to my charity and this is not a regular event, it’s different.”
Jack lost his WBA ‘Regular’ light-heavyweight belt after 12 rounds with Pascal, 38, in Atlanta, Georgia, last year.
His ultimate goal is to secure a rematch before moving up to cruiserweight, in the hopes of becoming a three-division champion.
Jack training for his next fight against Blake McKernanCredit: Jon Cater
The Swede wants to become a three-weight champion Credit: Jon Cater
He said: “I’ve been waiting for that rematch. Everybody saw I won that fight.
“It was pushed to like June and July and then October but around that time Pascal said he didn’t want to fight me and he wanted to get paid better or his regular purse.
“Now they’re saying the first quarter of 2021. That’s the main goal, take care of business and then on to Pascal.
“I’d like to move up to cruiserweight before I retire and get a title there.”
The 37-year-old – who will donate proceedings to his Badou Jack Foundation – was first approached to fight on Tyson’s undercard early in the summer.
But the pay-per-view spectacle was then moved back all the way to November, with Iron Mike, 54, boxing Roy Jones Jr, 51, over eight exhibition rounds.
Jack was initially in talks to fight former UFC star Tito Ortiz – who is 45 and retired last year.
But after he was told he must instead face a boxer, the Floyd Mayweather-promoted fighter agreed but only if he could box at a 190lb catchweight.
He fights American McKernan – and despite preferring to rematch Pascal, Jack is equally as happy to deal with the task in hand.
Jack said: “This is guy that talks a lot.
“I’m in great shape, I got a new trainer, Jonathan Banks, and we’re working on a lot of adjustments, throwing more punches etc.
“I’m going in there to hurt this guy.”
Badou Jack is dedicated to helping refugee children
Jack will donate proceedings of his next fight to his charity
As well as using the fight to help prepare for bigger and better things next year, Jack’s charity will also profit from PPV.
The foundation fights to give refugees and orphan children a better living by providing nutrition and donating goods.
The intrigue on Tyson’s comeback is ever growing, helped by the co-headliner of YouTuber Jake Paul fighting ex-NBA star Nate Robinson.
Jack explained: “I’d rather fight Pascal straight away, but he don’t want it, and this is a big event, especially for my charity.
“There will be a lot of eyeballs and not even boxing fans as they’ve got these YouTubers fighting on the undercard.
“So it’s a perfect chance to promote our foundation and give them ‘A fighting chance in life’ – that’s our slogan.”
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Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
