Pascal outpoints Diaconu in rematch

In a showdown of Montreal-based light heavyweight contenders, Jean Pascal (25-1, 16 knockouts) retained his 175-pound title belt with a repeat unanimous decision over Adrian Diaconu (26-2, 16 KOs) at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on Friday night.

Pascal, THE RING's No. 7-rated light heavyweight, won by scores of 118-110 and 117-111 (twice), but the fight was more competitive than the judges' tallies would indicate, much like his first fight with Diaconu, THE RING's No. 8-rated 175 pounder, in June.

Pascal overcame a strong start from Diaconu by using his superior hand speed and footwork until the two light heavyweights settled into heavy exchanges in the middle-to-late rounds of the bout.

Pascal bravely fought the last two rounds with one arm after injuring his right shoulder at the end of the 10th round.

With the victory, the Haitian-born boxer-puncher defended his belt for the second time and established himself as a future opponent for THE RING's No. 1-rated light heavyweight Chad Dawson.