Jean Pascal Exclusive: No. 1 Goal Is To Fight Artur Beterbiev

Jean Pascal could be next in line for unified light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev.

But first, Pascal must overcome Michael Eifert. The IBF called a purse bid hearing between the two to determine promotional rights for a light heavyweight title eliminator.

Both sides had 30 days to negotiate, but after failing to agree on a deal, the purse bid will now take place on November 1 from the IBF headquarters in Springfield, New Jersey.

Pascal, however, is on the better end of the deal and will receive the 60% of the 60/40 split, according to IBF purse bid rules, since Pascal is the higher ranked contender.

Pascal is ranked No. 4 while Eifert is No. 6

“Eifert seems like a decent fighter,” Pascal told FIGHT SPORTS on Thursday.

But he added that he’s got too much experience to take anyone lightly.

Pascal (36-6-1, 20 KOs) previously held the WBC light heavyweight title by defeating then unbeaten Adrian Diaconu. He had a successful four fight winning streak, but saw his reign come to an end after losing to Hall of Fame two-division champion Bernard Hopkins on points in their May 2011 rematch.

Pascal tried to regain the full championship title three times, but fell short against Sergey Kovalev (twice) and Dmitry Bivol.

But since his loss to Bivol in 2018, the Quebec boxer has gone on a three-fight winning streak, which includes a technical decision win vs Marcus Browne; a split decision against Badou Jack; and unanimous decision victory over Fanlong Meng – his last fight in May.

Eifert may meet his toughest opponent yet as he moves closer to challenging for a major world title for the first time.

Germany’s Eifert (11-1, 4 KOs) is on a five-fight winning streak. He got back into the winning column after suffering his sole loss against Tom Dzemski in August 2020 by eight-round majority decision.

The winner will become the mandatory challenger for Artur Beterbiev, who holds the division’s IBF title along with the WBC and WBO belts. Beterbiev must first challenge Anthony Yarde in late January or early February 2023.

Pascal’s No. 1 goal is to fight Beterbiev who is a “beast,” but he emphasized that he’s ready for what would be his “greatest” challenge.