“Born in Port-au-Prince Haiti, but now living in Laval, Quebec, Pascal was, in a sense, the wrong fighter in the ring. Serving as a sort of stand-in for fellow Haitian-Canadian Adonis Stevenson—who bolted for the security of Al Haymon’s insular universe when the drums for Kovalev beat loudest—Pascal was the next best man for the job. Unorthodox, athletic, and a proven draw in Montreal, Pascal resembled Stevenson closely enough to keep the “what if” scenarios churning in the shame campaign Main Events has conducted since Stevenson made his much-maligned business decision.”

Read With Malice Aplenty: Sergey Kovalev TKO8 Jean Pascal on The Cruelest Sport.

“Whatever sums Al Haymon paid for last night’s inaugural Premier Boxing Champions broadcast from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, he paid in the name of control. If aesthetics are any indicator of cost, Haymon spent heavily. Rarely do the theatrics of American boxing broadcasts achieve the splash of the casinos that house them; that the PBC production tried shows that Haymon understands the value of first impressions. The extravagance of the PBC broadcast should also serve as an indicator—and to his competition, fair warning—that the control Haymon is pursuing goes beyond the pageantry of production and the creation of an alternative to premium cable offerings.”

Read Cruise Control: Keith Thurman and Adrien Broner Dominate PBC Debut on The Cruelest Sport.

“With his first Premier Boxing Champions card this Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, mogul Al Haymon takes a purposeful stride toward his vision. While it is too early for trumpets and fanfare or pitchforks and torches, early expectations nevertheless tend toward the ends of the uproar spectrum. Those hailing Haymon as a savior typically preach the “boxing is a business” mantra—a mantra that sounds odd issued by enthusiasts who are supposed to encourage a little spectacle in a spectator sport. Still, braying of vicarious millionaires aside, there are reasons to be optimistic for now.”

Read Grand Schemes: On PBC, Keith Thurman-Robert Guerrero, & Adrien Broner-John Molina on The Cruelest Sport.