War in Quebec! Jean Pascal to Battle Michal Cieslak for Interim WBC Cruiserweight Title

This Saturday, June 28, 2025, boxing veterans Jean Pascal (37-7-1, 21 KOs), 42, and Poland’s Michal Cieslak (27-2, 21 KOs), 36, will go toe-to-toe in Quebec, Canada, for the interim World Boxing Council cruiserweight crown.

Pascal, a former light heavyweight world champion and an iconic figure in Canadian boxing, scored a knockout victory in September 2024, punching his ticket back into the WBC rankings, where he now sits at number ten in the cruiserweight division. Cieslak, for his part, had a crack at the WBC world cruiserweight title back in January 2020 but came up short against Ilunga Junior Makabu (30-4, 26 KOs). Now, he’s riding a six-fight knockout streak and holds the number five spot in the WBC’s cruiserweight rankings.

Fight Pre-Fight Buzz and Key Storylines:
Initially, Cieslak was slated to face Argentina’s Yamil Peralta, but due to unforeseen snags, Pascal stepped in as his opponent.
Pascal’s return is a testament to his impressive career. This shot at a WBC belt is his chance to cement his legacy.
Cieslak is looking to wipe the slate clean after his unsuccessful bid for a WBC world title. He aims to seize this interim championship, setting his sights on a collision course with the undisputed monarch, Sweden’s Badou Jack.

This showdown promises a clash of experience versus surging drive, where Pascal’s refined technique and grit will be put to the test against Cieslak’s raw power and relentless knockout streak.
Both warriors successfully made weight this Friday:
Jean Pascal: 197.2 lbs
Michal Cieslak: 199 lbs