By T.K. Stewart
I spoke with IBF Light Heavyweight champion Chad Dawson's manager Mike Criscio on Monday afternoon to get his thoughts on Bernard Hopkins' recent comments and also to find out what's next for 'Bad Chad'.
Hopkins, coming off his great win over Kelly Pavlik, is apparently telling anybody that will listen that he has run out of opponents since Joe Calzaghe will not engage in a rematch with him and Roy Jones, Jr. is damaged goods.
Criscio said that he has heard what Hopkins has said. He also says that his young, undefeated champion is more than willing to fight Hopkins - but so far Bernard is reluctant.
"Bernard knows that Chad is just too young and too fast," said Criscio. "Bernard knows that he doesn't want to risk his legacy. He just wants to take it easy and make fights as easy as he can get them."
Certainly Dawson looked like a world-beater with his signature win over Antonio Tarver in October. The New Haven, Connecticut native showed he has a multi-faceted game and that his youth and energy along with his speed are huge equalizers. Dawson rolled his record to 27-0 (17)KO's and made relatively easy work of Tarver.
"We wish Bernard would fight us," said Criscio. "We would love to fight Bernard and I think it would be a great fight. Bernard's 43, but he doesn't box like he's 43 and he doesn't look like he's 43. He fights like a 25 year-old and he has a body like a 25 year-old kid. He's found the fountain of youth somehow."
"Chad just wants to fight the best in the light heavyweight division and he wants the best fights possible. He wants the Calzaghes, the B-Hops and the Roy Jones' of the world," said Criscio of his 26 year-old, southpaw client.
"I think the fans would love to see a Hopkins fight, the fans would love to see that fight," said Criscio.
Next up for Dawson will be a headline appearance on an HBO World Championship Boxing telecast at the end of February or first of March with the exact date and site to be determined.
"We're not sure yet of the opponent, either," said Criscio. However, he was able to confirm the fight will be a defense of Dawson's IBF 175-pound title.
E-mail: tkstewartboxing@gmail.com
