Mandatory Eight Count: Pascal-Dawson Fight Day Edition

Dawson ready to become force at light heavyweight (AP)
"This is my country, my town and my belt," said the Haiti-born Pascal, who now lives in Laval, Quebec. "I hope Chad Dawson is coming to fight like a champion, but if he thinks he is going to run like a chicken and leave with my title, he is making a big mistake."

Chad Dawson invades Montreal (ESPN)
Larry Merchant boldly predicts this fight won't be quite as exciting as the 1958 Montreal clash between Archie Moore and Yvon Durelle, which had seven knockdowns. Merchant will call the fight with Jim Lampley and Emanuel Steward.

Meet the new, improved Jean Pascal (The Montreal Gazette)
Lucian Bute's trainer Stephane Larouche offers this thought: "I think they're talking too much about what comes after tomorrow. They should be careful, Jean Pascal will offer a lot better competition than they may be expecting." John Scully also warns Dawson to not take Pascal lightly. Scully trained Dawson in the past and has sparred with Pascal. He does pick Dawson: "He's just a different species. His height, his range, and his boxing ability are a lot for anybody to overcome."

Chad Dawson fights Jean Pascal on Saturday for light heavyweight title (Sports Illustrated)
Chris Mannix theorizes that Chad Dawson isn't popular because he doesn't take risks. He also names Shane Mosley as a fighter with popularity equal to Pacquiao, Cotto and Bute, which is debatable at the least, and ignores that Floyd Mayweather Jr. exists and also doesn't often look for knockouts but is the biggest money player in boxing. Dawson: "I'm just not that type of fighter."

Chad Dawson fights Jean Pascal on Saturday for light heavyweight title (Sports Illustrated)
Chris Mannix theorizes that Chad Dawson isn't popular because he doesn't take risks. He also names Shane Mosley as a fighter with popularity equal to Pacquiao, Cotto and Bute, which is debatable at the least, and ignores that Floyd Mayweather Jr. exists and also doesn't often look for knockouts but is the biggest money player in boxing. Dawson: "I'm just not that type of fighter."

2 peak fighters + 1 big crowd = ? (CBC)
Chris Iorfida is picking Pascal because he's met more resistance from Silvio Branco and Adrian Diaconu than Dawson has against Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson recently.

Chad Dawson-Jean Pascal Preview (The Cruelest Sport)
Carlos Acevedo feels that Dawson, who is fighting a younger man for the first time in his entire pro career, may have some trouble early on with Pascal's speed.

Korner man: Dawson enters hostile territory versus Pascal (Covers)
Evan Korn looks at the judges as well as the matchup, and like most is picking Dawson.

Q&A: Jean Pascal (fightnews.com)
Pascal says his shoulder is not an issue.