Light Heavy Titles: Dawson Retains, Tarver Regains
Sunday April 13, 2008
Undefeated WBC light heavyweight champ Chad Dawson (26-0) survived the toughest test of his young career when the judges awarded him a unanimous decision over former champ Glen Johnson (47-12-2). Johnson was the aggressor throughout and wobbled Dawson in rounds three and ten. Dawson showed good hand speed and boxed effectively at times. The crowd favored Johnson but all three judges scored the fight 116-112. Dawson may have done just enough to retain his title ... but he definitely did not win eight rounds to four.
In the co-feature, former champ Antonio Tarver (27-4) cruised to a unanimous decision win over Clinton Woods (41-4-1) to take the IBF light heavyweight title. As with most Tarver fights, every round was virtually the same and there was little drama. In fact, Tarver's career highlight reel basically amounts to his one-punch KO of Roy Jones Jr. in 2004. Scores were 116-112, 117-111, 119-109.
In the post-fight interview, Dawson clearly wanted no part of a rematch with Glen Johnson, so a unification fight with Tarver is most likely next.
Comments
I was very disappointed by the decission in the Johnson-Dawson match. I have to agree with the crowd and Johnson, himself; clearly Johnson should have gotten the win. Dawson knew he was beat in the interview following the fight and refused to gove Johnson a rematch.
Tarver was lackluster against an inferior opponent, and just doesn’t have anything exciting to bring to the ring. Well, maybe his own sense of who he is–and that is more hype than reality.