By Dave Sholler
Photo © Tom Casino/Showtime
In a division that features big talkers, WBC Light Heavyweight Champion Chad Dawson has done his best to let his in-ring work speak for him. Unlike his elders Antonio Tarver, Roy Jones Jr., and Bernard Hopkins, when Dawson wants to speak, he uses his gloves first and mouth second.
However, in an exclusive interview with BoxingScene.com Wednesday afternoon, the humble 25-year-old from Connecticut admitted that he would be more vocal in his desire to fight the division’s biggest names in 2008. Despite the frustration that comes with being unable to land a fight with Tarver or other marketable names in the division, “Bad” Chad has decided to take a tactful approach in calling out the future Hall of Famers.
“Tarver called out Roy Jones Jr. for so many years and when he finally got the fight, he made his millions,” Dawson said. “All I’m saying is why don’t you give a fighter the same opportunity Roy gave you.
“My last two fights, I was just as disappointed about the fight selection as my fans were. I pray for a big fight. It’s not me making the fights. I’ll fight anybody.”
Although he is “95% sure” his next bout will be on April 12 against veteran Glen Johnson, Dawson wonders if he’ll ever stare across the ring at Tarver. He too finds Tarver’s proposed bout with super middleweight Jeff Lacy curious, especially in light of Lacy’s dismal performance against Peter Manfredo Jr. on Dec. 8. That, coupled with the fact that Tarver fought unimpressively against the relatively unknown Danny Santiago on Dec. 1, leaves Dawson to believe that he is truly being ducked.
“It’s really bad,” Dawson said. “Look at the kid Tarver just fought. No disrespect, but I never heard of him. And Lacy is a friend of mine, but I thought Manfredo won their fight.
“That fight (Tarver vs. Lacy) is going to be boring. Honestly, I don’t have my mind on facing the winner of that now.”
Tarver claims that he wants the big fights, and plans to dominate the entire light heavyweight division. He can’t dominate at the weight, without an inevitable clash with Dawson in the future.
“I'm back. You understand me? I'm tired of being the nice guy, trying to play fair. They want to make me the bad guy, ain't anyone ever seen a bad guy like me. That is the role I'm accepting, Tarver said. “I'm going to show you what type of a fighter I am. I’m going to show everybody else in the light heavyweight division that I'm taking over this game. And the next two years aren’t going to be the same.”
Settling for the fact that he may never get the “Magic Man,” Dawson hopes that Roy Jones Jr., Bernard Hopkins, or even Joe Calzaghe will throw caution to the wind and fight him. While he is quick to point out that he will not overlook his upcoming opponent, Dawson can’t help but think that beating Johnson will finally launch him into a big bout.
“My opinion on Tarver, Bernard, and Roy is that they are older guys and they are taking a big risk in fighting me,” Dawson said. “I think they know what would happen if we stepped in the ring. They want to be cautious, but I am looking for a big fight.
“A Calzaghe bout, that’s a dream fight for me,” the Showtime fighter continued. “It would be great for the US and the great for the UK. It would put the best light heavyweight against the best super middleweight. A victory against Joe Calzaghe would be great for me, too. I hope I can get that call.”
While he waits for the call from Tarver, Jones Jr., Hopkins, or Calzaghe, Dawson said he would make sure not to let the lack of big fights weigh too heavily on his mind. Instead of worrying about Tarver and company, Dawson is focusing on training under the tutelage of Eddie Mustafa Muhammed and keeping his success rolling into the New Year.
“I had a great year,” Dawson said of 2007. “In 2008, I want to learn more and put on a little more strength. People told me I couldn’t do this (boxing) for years, but I’m still here and still undefeated. All in all, I’m happy with my life and my career.”
Dave Sholler is the boxing analyst for ESPN 1450 AM in Atlantic City. Listen to his commentary weekdays from 4-7pm on ESPN 1450 or visit www.1450espn.com.
