Technically-speaking, neither boxer is a native-born Canadian. Pascal hails from the Caribbean island of Haiti while Bute is of Romanian descent. Nonetheless, they are in Canada now, and are now native fighting sons of Quebec. 
And when they meet at the Bell Centre in Montreal on January 18, more than national bragging rights will be at stake. The winner is likely in line for a shot at the lineal light heavyweght championship against fellow Canadian transplant Adonis Stevenson.
But first things first, who do I think is going to win this fight? This is a really difficult prediction I must confess.
But here's how I see it going down:
In a fight between two unorthodox boxer-punchers, the pace will be brisk early but not highly efficient.
Look out for a share of missed punches in the first half of the fight due to each fighter's awkwardness as well as the nerves based on the magnitude of the fight.
As the fight reaches the middle rounds, look for the more natural boxer Bute to seize some control, albeit slight.
Although Pascal has tended to fade late in many of his previous fights, I look for him to catch a second wind here to come on late and out-hustle Bute down the stretch for a close, and potentially controversial majority decision.
