By Mark Vester

After two dominating decision wins over Antonio Tarver, IBF light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson is hoping for two fighters in particular to accept his challenge. Dawson made his HBO debut by outpointing Tarver on Saturday night in Las Vegas. The fight was the first of a two-fight deal with the network. He hopes the second will come against Bernard Hopkins or the recently retired Joe Calzaghe.

Dawson told BoxingScene.com's Robert Morales that he doesn't think the Hopkins fight will happen.

"I'm not sure because I heard him make a statement that he wasn't interested in fighting me," Dawson said. "He makes all these excuses saying that I'm not ready, that I don't have a name."

As far as Calzaghe, Dawson of his chances to lure the British icon out of retirement for a fight.

"The chances? I don't know what the chances are," said Dawson. "Hopefully he will be watching and he will see something that will make him think, 'Maybe I didn't retire as the best light heavyweight.' Maybe he will say, `I'm looking at the best light heavyweight right now,' and hopefully that will bring him out of retirement and he will give me a shot."

Dawson's manager, Mike Criscio, told Morales that Calzaghe would take the fight before Hopkins would.

"I think he is going to unretire," Criscio said of Calzaghe. "I think he is going to miss boxing and want to come back. As far as Hopkins is concerned, what I personally think is Hopkins is afraid of Chad. I think if he goes into the ring he knows Chad will be way too quick for him and I think Chad will take him out early. If he gets enough pressure from HBO and the media, he is going to have to fight Chad."

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