The WBC’s inexplicable decision to have Michal Cieslak fight Jean Pascal for their interim cruiserweight title resulted in exactly the sort of mismatch we expected, as Cieslak methodically battered Pascal to a fourth-round finish yesterday in Quebec.
Pascal (37-8-1, 21 KO) is 42 years old and very much not a cruiserweight, weighing in a hair over 197; the only other time he breached 190 came when he battered hockey enforcer turned UFC vet turned would-be boxer Steve Bosse in 2018. Cieslak (28-2, 22 KO), a genuinely competent contender whose only defeats came against Ilunga Makabu and Lawrence Okolie, poured on the hurt until Pascal shelled up just a bit too long and sent the referee into action.
The 36-year-old Pole won’t be getting a crack at the full belt quite yet, though; the WBC recently ordered a rematch between Badou Jack and Noel Mikaelian, stipulating that the interim titlist defend his belt against Yamil Peralta. Peralta’s a very solid operator and should make for a good scrap with Cieslak while that business gets settled.
