By Luis Sandoval
Newly crowned WBC Light Heavyweight champion Chad Dawson is coming off a big win over Bernard Hopkins and while that chapter is now closed in his book, Dawson is now looking ahead to his next big fight. Dawson appeared on the most recent edition of BoxingScene’s official audio show The Boxing Lab and spoke about possible opponents he’d like to face next.
“I’m just looking forward to going out there and mixing it up with these young guys. I fought [Antonio] Tarver two times. I fought Glen Johnson twice and Bernard [Hopkins] two times and these were guys who were pretty much on top of the division. Now I’m looking forward to going after the young guys” said Dawson.
“I can make 168, [I can make] 175 where I’m at and I’m on top of the division. I can make 168 so any of the guys down there, any of the big names, I’m ready for it.”
One name in particular Dawson mentioned before and after his fight with Hopkins was Super Middleweight kingpin Andre Ward. It’s a fight Chad believes would be great and one he’d even want to have before the end of this year if possible.
“I’m hoping it can happen this year. I respect Andre Ward. I respect everything he’s done so far. I just think it makes for a great fight not only for myself but for the sport of boxing. I think boxing needs the champions to fight each other. Great fighters like myself and Andre Ward to fight each other” expressed the new WBC champion.
Most also believe a natural fight for Dawson now would be the winner of the recently signed Jean Pascal and Tavoris Cloud fight which will be taking place later this summer in August. Cloud is the current IBF Light Heavyweight champion and there is history between Dawson and Pascal as it was Pascal who gave Dawson his first and only loss last year and took his title in the process. Dawson is more than willing to fight the winner.
“I think a lot of people are looking forward to that rematch with me and Pascal. Whether it’s in Canada or whether it’s in the US. I’m looking forward to avenging that loss with Pascal. If Tavoris Cloud beats Pascal, I think that makes for a great fight too. Like I said, I’m tired of going after the older guys, now I’m looking forward to getting in the ring with some young guys” said Dawson to The Boxing Lab.
Dawson informed that he’s looking to return to the ring in September or sometime in the fall against hopefully one of the mentioned opponents. He believes he’s at a point in his career where he needs to make the biggest fights possible both for monetary gains but also to cement himself as one of the best fighters today. The fact that he’s willing to drop down to 168 to make big fights happen is proof that he’s willing to take the extra step to make those fights a real possibility.
You can listen to Chad Dawson’s interview in its entirety by listening to The Boxing Lab podcast: http://tobtr.com/s/3081299
You can follow Luis Sandoval on Twitter @truewest007. You can also tune in to Boxingscene’s official audio show The Boxing Lab every Tuesday from 6-8PM PST with hosts Ernest Gabion, Luis Sandoval, and Ryan Burton.
