Mike Paschall had to spend sleepless nights in jail to receive his wake-up call.
The Baltimore cruiserweight recently spent 35 days in jail for violating a protective order against his girlfriend. He used the time locked away from society to reflect on his two most important components of his life: boxing and his family, which includes two young sons, 7-year-old Mike and 3-year-old Aiden.
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“I got into partying and living fast,” Paschall said. “I got focus in jail. When I got to jail,I got my mind right and my priorities right. It took me to a level I hadn?t been to in a long while. When I sat in that cell I realized what was important. Since I got out I?ve got my life back, my family back and I?m ready to get back out there in the ring.”
Paschall, know in the ring as “The Persecutor,” took the first step in that process Friday when he scored a unanimous decision over Philadelphia?s Jake Rodriguez at Du Burns Arena in Canton. Paschall (12-0-1, 2 KOs) wasn?t impressive in the four-round fight and was not in peak physical condition, but did enough to beat Rodriguez, a fighter he knocked out in the second round two years ago.
“I was really rusty,” said Paschall, who went from 200 to 175 pounds in two months. “I didn?t get to do much in jail and then I got out, I went to the gym and actually got in shape pretty quickly.”
Baltimore Boxing Club trainer Jake “The Snake” Smith said Paschall has become a more focused fighter since his release from jail. Smith said if Paschall continues with that mindset, the 26-year-old will have a bright future.
“After that incident with his girlfriend, I think Mike realized he had to grow up,” Smith said. “He needed to wake up and smell the roses because he has a great opportunity in front of him and doesn?t want to squander it.”
Smith said Paschall?s time away from the ring hindered his performance against Rodriguez, but expects him to regain his form when he takes on Delaware?s Richard Stewart (13-3-1, 8 KOs) Aug. 25 at the Ocean City Convention Center. Stewart knocked out West Virginia light heavyweight James North in his last fight June 15.
“Mike was good enough to beat what was in front of him [Friday],” Smith said. “But Stewart is bigger, faster and stronger than Rodriguez. If Mike stays in shape, he shouldn?t have any problem.”
PASCHALL NOTES
» Paschall made his professional debut on May 14, 2004 whenhe picked up a unanimous decision over La Plata?s Michael Gutrick.
» While Jake “The Snake” Smith has promoted all of Paschall?s fights, he only began training him in the last two months.
» Smith, along with fellow local fighters Jessie “The Beast” Nicklow and Mike “The American Dream” Dietrich, are among those set to fight at Smith?s next card Aug. 25 at the Ocean City Convention Center.
