The Bell Centre has been booked almost every night for the last week and the busy schedule continues on Friday with fight night in Montreal.

World champion Jean Pascal of Laval will defend his WBC light-heavyweight title against Italian Veteran Silvio Branco (59-9-2, 36 knockouts).

It's a mandatory defence of the title Pascal won June 19 in a 12-round unanimous decision over Adrian Diaconu of Montreal. If he wins, Pascal will face Diaconu in a rematch on Dec. 11.

Pascal (23-1, 15 KOs) says the mental factor will be as important as the physical challenge against Branco.

"You have to think as a champion to become a champion," Pascal said on Tuesday.

"I've always thought that I am a champion, I became a champion and now I have to stay the champion.

Pascal's opponent is 17 years older and while the 43-year-old Italian is banking on experience, Pascal says talent will win out in the end.

"He's 2-6 against his opposition (recently), so experience is not necessarily better," said Pascal, a 2004 Olympian.

Promoter Yvon Michel said people who look at the 16-year age gap and assume it will be an easy night for Pascal are off-base.

"`Branco doesn't fight like he's 43,'' said Michel. "He's very good.

"Speed is usually the first thing to leave a fighter, but he's still very fast. He's a road warrior as well. Most of his world championship bouts were outside Italy. He uses his reach well. He holds inside. He does everything to make you look bad and to try to steal it from you. A guy like him would never be the choice for an optional defence.''

Well-prepared

Pascal's trainer, Marc Ramsay, says his athlete is fit and confident after a fruitful training camp.

"I like the training camp we did," he said. "He feels very comfortable now, more confidence and he's a more mature fighter."

Honouring Gatti

Gianluca Branco once lost a WBC light welterweight title bout to Arturo Gatti of Montreal, who was found hanged in an apartment at a Brazilian resort this summer. Brazilian officials called it suicide, which is disputed by Gatti's family and friends. Branco said he hoped to visit Gatti's grave while in town.

Other fight

The co-feature has Adonis Stevenson (12-0) of Montreal in his first fight since Aug. 1, 2008. Stevenson was sidelined with injuries suffered in a car accident. He will fight for the WBC International title against Jermain (Choo Choo) Mackey (18-3) of the Bahamas.

- With Files from The Canadian Press -