By Dan Ambrose: 46-year-old Bernard Hopkins (51-5-2, 32 KO’s) has been given his way by the WBC, who are forcing World Boxing Council light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal (26-1-1, 16 KO’s) fight an immediate rematch with Hopkins after fighting to a 12 round draw with him last December. Hopkins was dropped twice in the fight, but many boxing fans felt he had done enough to get the win.

This is kind of rarity that one of the sanctioning bodies is making a fighter fight an immediate rematch, but it helps to be a popular fighter like Hopkins. The rematch will take place on May 21st, and it will likely take place at the same venue as the last fight at the Pepsi Coliseum, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. Pascal is still the champion, and plus this is the venue where the most boxing fans will be attracted. Hopkins-Pascal likely wouldn’t draw many fans if it were to take place in the U.S

Chad Dawson, who was supposed to be Pascal’s next opponent due to a rematch clause he had in his contract with him for his 11th round technical decision loss in August last year, will be fighting on the undercard against a couple of high ranking light heavyweights. The winner of Hopkins-Pascal will then face the winner of Dawson’s bout against whoever he ends up fighting. The Hopkins-Pascal fight was shown on Showtime the last time and ended up getting the highest ratings for an boxing event for 2010. However, the rematch will be shown on HBO.