Jean Pascal to defend his title vs Silvio Branco on Friday.

The stage is set for the biggest challenge in Jean Pascal's pro boxing career. He will defend his WBC middleweight championship against a former two-time world champion and No.1 contender, Silvio Branco.

A large crowd at the Bell centre is expected for this great evening of boxing. I expect a huge crowd presence, as usual. Boxing in Montreal has risen from it's ashes in the last ten years and is now producing a top rank caliber. Next Friday night will be no exception.

Montreal produced many champions in this decade. Eric Lucas, Joachim Alcine, Otis Grant, Leonard Dorin, Lucian Bute and Adrian Diaconu. The city has no equal at the moment.

I wish the best of luck to Jean Pascal but I know that this defense will not be an easy one. Branco is a dangerous opponent, a solid contender with a lot of ring experience.

(Picture: Jean Pascal, RDS.)