Chad Dawson Down To 178, Expects No Weight Issues

By Ryan Burton

A lot has been made of Chad Dawson's move down to 168 pounds for his September 8th fight against WBC/WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward. We welcomed the reigning WBC light heavyweight champion to a recent edition of The Boxing Lab, BoxingScene's official podcast to discuss the upcoming fight.

Dawson insists that he won't have any problems making weight. He also said that he feels 168 is a more natural weight for him than 175.

"Training is going good. I am already down to 178 pounds. 175 isn't my real weight. I don't have to diet to make weight. I would come into training camp at 185 pounds without having to diet or anything. I didn't have to watch what I ate. Now I eat smaller portions. Before I would eat steak and potatoes. I feel faster and stronger at this weight," Dawson explained.

The Connecticut native's resume boasts victories over names such as Bernard Hopkins, Antonio Tarver (twice) and Glen Johnson (twice). Even with those names on his ledger, Dawson feels that his fight against Ward will be the biggest of his career thus far. He also said that he feels the winner of the fight will be third in the pecking order of boxing's pound for pound lists.

"I would say so because of the magnitude of the fight. You have two world champions. Andre's defending his title and I'm coming down (in weight).

"This fight is to decide who is the pound for pound #3 fighter in the world below Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. I think that Ward is #6 in the world right now and I'm #10. This will decide #3," stated Dawson.

Both men's camps have been respectful of each other and neither fighter has engaged in trash talking in the build up to the fight. Dawson praised Ward during our interview but also said that it isn't out of the realm of possibility that he stops the Oakland, CA native.

"I think they are underestimating me. They say they aren't but I think they are. I'm going to go in there with my new physique and I wouldn't be surprised if I end the fight early but I won't look for the knockout. Andre Ward is a good fighter and I respect him," Dawson revealed.

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