Cloud is rubbish at controlling distance

You don't think most of that was Cloud just taking time off? Being that he's so explosive which uses a lot of energy, Cloud goes through stretches of time of not doing anything. I don't think that's being confused I think that's just conserving energy, imo. Agreed. That's why I don't like when people say Cloud has NO CHANCE at all. I think Dawson should be favored, but Cloud shouldn't be ruled out entirely and labeled a no hoper. Dude has explosive power and the right kind of style that has already been shown to bother Dawson. Glen Johnson has one of the best chins in the business. He took shots that would have nearly killed any other fighter and in the last ten years I can't remember anybody coming close to putting Johnson out like as Cloud came close. Ring rust and fatigue definately played a part in Cloud's performance and yeah he may not be the most technical guy but Glen Johnson came damn close to stopping Dawson and so did Adamek. If Cloud explodes on Dawson early then Dawson will be forced to go into survial mode the rest of the fight and possibly get KO'd in the process. In defense of Dawson he's the complete package and could easisly outclass Cloud but Cloud has that game changing power. I would hate to fight him in a 4-6 round fight.

My copy of the fight started going a bit crazy during the seventh round and I'm currently DLing a new one, so I can really only comment on what I saw in rounds 1-6. Cloud's definitely got some good hand speed, but he takes time off because he tends to explode out with his punches and load up. Johnson was taking advantage of these inactive periods, working his jab and right hands. Cloud likes to shoulder roll and go for the counter right hand/uppercut. He landed a nice counter with it every so often, but I thought Johnson was landing far more chopping right hands than he was rolling. He needs to really get the timing down or stop doing it, IMO. I was a bit let down by his inside game in this fight, Johnson was doing the most work (thus far). I thought he'd try and bully him, imposing his youth and strength, especially as Johnson did look a bit soft. He definitely looked better from mid to long range, IMO. All in all, Cloud is a bit raw, but he's got potential. I think he'd be better off letting his punches flow and not loading up, rather than just exploding with a series of power shots. Thought he should've used his jab more as well.

Dawson goes through Zab Judah moments of inactivity as well. He doesn't fight on the inside all that much either. And what are you tryin to say Cloud doesn't know how to counter punch? That's exactly how he hurt Johnson in the 5th round.

That's not true man, there were periods of time against Woods where Cloud would do the same thing. Maybe it's out of your memory but rewatch it if it's been a while. He even did it against Julio Cesar Gonzalez. Actually you're right, it has been a while. I'll go over it again and have a look. I just have this memory of it being a far easier fight for Cloud than last weekend. lol arf! some of it may have been some frustration on the god damn steel chin of johnson but I would imagine he expected that. It certainly beats Alexander's non-stop, frantic, womanly yelping with every punch thrown (it's my only gripe against the guy). :yuck:

You don't think most of that was Cloud just taking time off? Being that he's so explosive which uses a lot of energy, Cloud goes through stretches of time of not doing anything. I don't think that's being confused I think that's just conserving energy, imo. No, I don't think so. Against Woods he never stopped punching - not for a single round. To me, it looked as though Johnson made him hesitant and took away his confidence when throwing on the inside. It's like Cloud was shocked that the old guy was constantly up in his grill, banging and barking away like a dog. :laff2: "ARF ARF!!! ARF ARF!!!"

I was just surprised as hell that he looked so confused when Johnson brang it to him. Cloud's meant to be this fearless banger, but at times he was made to look really average in there. Still, one doesn't know how Dawson deals with a pressure fighter with the kind of power that Cloud has. The fights with Tarver and Johnson didn't answer very many questions about Dawson's ability to take hard punches for 12 rounds.

Cloud's inside game sucks, and he can't counterpunch for shit. I would almost say Johnson exposed a part of him in that fight - it's like Cloud looked lost whenever he was pushed around at close range. He's a long/mid-range fighter with tons of powerful punches, but that's about it. good observation from what i saw he really isn't that special apart from his power i don't think he is as good as say a tarver or johnson in their prime if a 41 year old glen johnson can hit him that many times imagine what he would've done to him a good few years back

Cloud's inside game sucks, and he can't counterpunch for shit. I would almost say Johnson exposed a part of him in that fight - it's like Cloud looked lost whenever he was pushed around at close range. He's a long/mid-range fighter with tons of powerful punches, but that's about it.