By Chris LaBate

Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada - A battle of former light heavyweight champions saw Chad Dawson (30-1, 17KOs) win a twelve round unanimous decision over Adrian Diaconu (27-3, 15KOs). The scores were 117-111, 118-110 and 116-112. Dawson is now in line to face the winner of the Bernard Hopkins vs. Jean Pascal rematch.

At the start, Dawson began working behind a stiff right jab. Dawson was very active and throwing a lot of combinations early. Diaconu was having trouble with Dawson's height and long arms. In the second round, a straight left hand shook Diaconu.

In the fourth round, Diaconu was able to land several hard right hands on Dawson, who took the punches well. Dawson came back with some very hard punches in the fifth to push Diaconu around. After the sixth round was over, trainer Emanuel Steward yelled at Dawson to be more active in the fight. Dawson obliged and became a more active boxer in the seventh, but Diaconu started landing good body punches in the final minute.

In the ninth round, Dawson got stunned by a combination and Diaconu started coming on. Dawson quickly recovered and started firing back. Dawson continued to outbox Diaconu for the next few rounds - until Diaconu tried to go all out in the twelfth and final round to score a late knockout but was unable to get it done.