By Mark Vester

It was just reported by promoter Gary Shaw that Chad Dawson has sent a letter to the IBF, officially vacating his light heavyweight title. The sanctioning body was leaning on Dawson to defend the title against Tavoris Cloud.

As reported earlier on BoxingScene.com, a deal for a fall rematch with Glen Johnson is close. HBO is interested in Johnson, but no network has expressed any interest in Cloud. Dawson tried to get more time from the IBF to make the Cloud defense, but the sanctioning body refused the request.

“The IBF rejected our request for an exception to making an immediate title defense against mandatory challenger Tavoris Cloud and inasmuch as no major television network was willing to buy the fight, the IBF left us little choice,” said Shaw. 

“I respect the IBF’s decision but the fight they were forcing us to do was commercially unviable.  On behalf of Chad, we thank the IBF for the opportunity to fight for its title and to defend it.  It’s an honor Chad will always cherish.  Now it’s on to bigger and better.  Chad looks forward to defending his International Boxing Organization title against the cream of the crop and unencumbered.”

Cloud will now fight number two ranked Clinton Woods for the vacant title.

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