Heavyweight Dan Pasciolla RCM Interview: Wins Amazing Split Decision Upset in Atlantic City
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
In an exclusive interview with Real Combat Media, Dan Pasciolla tells how he did it. Unknown 3-1 southpaw heavyweight Dan Pasciolla seems the most unlikely person in the world to be fighting in the preliminary to the main event of a boxing show. Yet there he was at The Playground in Atlantic City, New Jersey, at Caesar’s, fighting 15 bout veteran John Lennox, a 13-2 heavyweight who was heavily favored to win the mismatch on paper.
The odds say fighters in the ‘B’ corner like Dan Pasciolla cannot win. However, in this case, the ‘A’ corner fighter, John Lennox showed up with a role of fat around his middle. Despite his 15 bouts of experience, it did not seem Lennox had done the work for this bout.
Pasciolla showed up in remarkable condition, after completing a training camp of work which included quality sparring. Pasciolla sparred with the main event heavyweight, Chazz Witherspoon, a 34 win world ranked heavyweight with 26 knockouts. Pasciolla sparred with world ranked heavyweight Bryant Jennings, a 19 win fighter with 10 knockouts, whose only loss for a decision for the world heavyweight title to Wladimir Klitschko earlier this year. Pasciolla sparred with world ranked heavyweight Travis Kauffman, a 29 win world ranked heavyweight with 21 knockouts. Pasciolla sparred with former contender Derric Rossy, a 30 win fighter with 14 knockouts. Pasciolla’s quality sparring, when combined with extreme hard work despite his inexperience, proved the experts wrong. Pasciolla showed skill, heart and courage in winning a split decision six round upset over the 13-2 heavy favored Lennox.
Robert Brizel: “Dan Pasciolla, winner of a split decision tonight. How does it feel to win tonight?”
Dan Pasciolla: “It feels great! It feels real good. I know he (John Lennox) was a tough veteran, and had a lot of fights. I was prepared. I did a lot of sparring with Bryan Jennings and Chazz Witherspoon, some other guys, so much (sparring) as I had to get ready.”
Robert Brizel: “You appeared in much better shape than Lennox, Did you notice right away?”
Dan Pasciolla: “I thought he was gonna come in shape. He (Lennox) came in at 220 (pounds), so I knew he was a tough guy. I knew he was gonna be there. I have been training hard.”
Robert Brizel: He (John Lennox) had a roll of fight around his waist. I take it that didn’t impress you.”
Dan Pasciolla: “No, (but) looks can be deceiving. You see some of these guys are heavy, and these guys can go and go and go. Looks, you get the bodybuilder looking guys in this sport, and it doesn’t mean anything.”
Robert Brizel: “Dan it seems like you did better the first four rounds, and Lennox did a little better the last two rounds. Your thoughts on the subject.”
Dan Pasciolla: “Well, in the third round, I started drink a little bit too much water beforehand. I had stomach cramps, and I was starting to feel the effects of the cramps. I drink too much water beforehand. I drank two gallons of water beforehand, before the fight. I think that took a toll on my stomach. I felt I could keep going (fighting) but I felt my stomach had cramps. “
Robert Brizel: “You seemed to be coming forward with power shots, and you seemed to be turning him well. Where did you practice the turning? With Jennings, and Witherspoon, and the other guys?”
Dan Pasciolla: “I try to practice with everybody. I try to be as well rounded (an athlete) as possible. I’ve got a lot to learn still, and I’m trying to spar with the best in the world. I do what I can.”
Robert Brizel: We have to ask this question at press row: why was a 3-1 heavyweight fighter in (the ring) with a 13-2 fighter? He didn’t impress you?”
Dan Pasciolla: “I thought he was a tough guy, AND I knew it was gonna be a tough fight. I can’t say anything bad against him-but-I was confident I was training hard enough. I’ve been in there (in sparring) with the best, and I was confident!”
Robert Brizel: “Tell me about your sparring with Chazz Witherspoon and Bryant Jennings. Do you think your sparring with Witherspoon and Jennings helped you with your preparations (in the bout you won) here?”
Dan Pasciolla: “Definitely. I also don’t want to forget Derric Rossy and Travis Kauffman. I got in some good sparring with them too.”
Robert Brizel: “I covered Travis Kauffman last night in the walkout bout at Prudential Center (on Spike TV, he won) and he also did very well. I think that quality sparring is good.”
Robert Brizel: “Congratulations, and I hope we work with you again on Real Combat Media in the future.”
Dan Pasciolla: “Thank you.”
English