Jean Pascal W8 Marcus Browne... There was bad blood before the first bell and a different kind of bad blood at the end. In a huge upset, former world light heavyweght champion Jean Pascal (34-6-1, 20 KOs) won an eight-round technical decision over former Olympian Marcus Browne (23-1, 16 KOs) when a leaky cut over Browne’s left eye forced the fight to the cards in the eighth. The cut, the result of an accidental headbutt, halted what was an entertaining contest. Pascal had the momentum when the ringside doctor inspected the cut over Browne’s eye and halted the bout. A winging counter right in the seventh had dropped Browne for the second time in the bout.  Browne rose on wobbly legs and was promptly re-acquainted with the canvas a third time, courtesy of a Pascal combination. He was saved by a bell moments after he got up. Browne was immediately taken to the hospital to have his cut treated. Once it heals, a rematch likely awaits.  

 

[With the win, Pascal acquires the paper WBA interim title. More impprtantly, the veteran Canadian assured himself that there will be more big fights in his future. Note: Boxingtalk publisher G. Leon is Pascal's advisor].

 

Pascal rushed Browne throughout the eighth in search of the finish. One rush occurred as Browne dipped to land a body shot. The two heads crashed together and Browne emerged with blood hiding his left eye. The fight was stopped moments later. All three judges had Pascal ahead, 75-74.

 

It’s a disappointing first loss for Staten Island’s Browne, who entered the bout as the interim WBA light heavyweight champion and hoped to springboard his way to a world title fight. He controlled the action behind his long southpaw jab and left cross until midway through the third, when they traded hooks. Pascal’s shot landed with greater force, sending Browne crashing to the mat.

 

Browne got up and quickly composed himself, keeping Pascal at bay with his jab and by clinching to make it out of the round.

 

Browne dominated the fourth, again working behind with a jab. With a minute left, he began unloading combinations that got Pascal’s attention. He was starting to pull away when Pascal dropped him twice in the seventh. A round later, it was all over.

 

[The bad blood between Pascal and Browne stemmed from Pascal bringing up Browne's history of domestic violence allegations]. source: pbc