By Tim Kudgis

Recently news broke that WBC light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson left the man who trained him for his last two fights, former world title challenger "Iceman" John Scully, to reunite with former trainer Eddie Mustafa Muhammad.  This caught many by surprise because it seemed Scully was given a lot of credit with his corner work in the Hopkins fight and the two seemed like a great team. 

In a recent interview, Dawson addressed the situation - saying something in the area that Scully was better for him when he started out and that he was on a different level now.  Scully, who wasn't surprised by the split, had a lot to say regarding what transpired.

"The reason I was so open (about the weight issues in the Andre Ward fight) because I
knew in my mind we weren't going to work together because I know had Chad is since a kid.  I knew the night of the fight he was going to look for a reason or an excuse to blame me because I am the trainer.  That is why I had no qualms exposing what he had to go through to make that weight.

"I had not heard from him or his lawyer, who I usually deal with about aspects of the fights, not one word after the fight.  We went home after the fight and that was it.  I sent Chad a facebook message and he didn't respond a few days after the fight to see how he was doing.  I also sent him a text and he didn't respond.  I knew it is what it is.  He is going to blame me or whatever."

"This was probably the worst training camp I was ever a part of.  Probably because he had to lose weight.  It wears on a fighter and it changes them."

"He is going back to Eddie.  Eddie is a great guy I like Eddie and I am sure he is a good trainer but he trained Chad before when he lost to Pascal.  From what I gathered from Chad was he wasn't really happy about the training, and obviously he wasn't because he left him."

"He is just another in a long line of trainers.  Chad has been a pro for 11 years and including me and Eddie who have had 2 stints a piece he has had 10 trainers. Eddie marks his tenth trainer change.  If you have a friend who has been married 7 times and he keeps telling you the 1st wife is a pig, 2nd wife is a terrible cook and what ever reason for the other wives.  After the 7 wives and in this case 10, you have to say to yourself maybe it is me.  Maybe I have something to do with the problem, maybe it is me."

"My feeling is Chad is just looking for another way to start over and start fresh. As a fighter I understand that but I am not going to let him tarnish my reputation in the process.  That can't happen.  I am usually a laid back guy and not confrontational in that aspect.  It is unnecessary it is wrong and I am not going to stand for it."

"He made a video saying something like, and I am not sure exactly what he said, that I was good starting out for him but it's different now that he is a champion.  If I remember in the 2nd Hopkins fight it was me, and yes I'll pat myself on the back, it was me in the corner.  I kept him in the mix when he was starting to crack to Hopkins.  I don't take a backseat to any trainer.  I am not saying I am the best trainer but I don't feel that I am not qualified.  Your going to have to take some of that perception on yourself Chad and take some of the blame of what you did."

"To me Chad changed after the Hopkins fight.  I'll give you an example.  One day we were in the house and I am in the bedroom.  Chad and his brother are in the living room.  They are talking 15 feet away.  The only thing separating us from is the wall and the open door.  I had put a picture up on facebook that day of Chad working out in the gym.  He sends his brother to the room to tell me not to put pictures of him training on facebook."

"Now he was sitting 15 feet away and his sent his brother in.  Like he is the president and he was sending his secretary of state in to tell me to cease and desist my actions.  I am looking at his brother like Chad is right behind the wall, he is 20 feet away.  Once he did that it was like a sign that he had gone a little Hollywood.  I didn't like it.  I didn't like it at all.  The fact he didn't want the picture up our opponent to know what he is doing in training.  The guy knows you're training.  What do you think he just thinks your sitting here eating donuts all day.  Seeing a picture up isn't going to reveal strategy. That was a bad sign to me."

Whether the training move is what Chad needs or not - will making so many trainer moves throughout his career have an adverse affect on his training habits?  Since talking to "Iceman", BoxingScene.com has reported that the rematch between Jean Pascal & Dawson will be pushed from March to May.

Tim Kudgis is a co-host/producer of ATG Radio which play every Monday & Wednesday night from 7-9pm PST on ATGRADIO.com.  He also proudly covers the AZ boxing scene for BoxingScene.com.  You can reach him via email at  TKudgis614@yahoo.com or on twitter at @BigTimeTimmyATG