Dawson doesn't plan on fighting Diaconu.

[slicksouthpaw16]

I dont think it's ducking. I think Dawson wants the big bucks and who can blame him? There's a lot more dough in fighting Tarver than Diaconu, and should Dawson get stripped so be it. He'll get the IBF version if he gets by Tarver and a fight with Diaconu in about a year would make a lot more financial sense from Dawsons viewpoint.

All that talk about ducking is somewhat tiresome. In the end the name of the game is money and career management. I cannot recall any blatant ducks having taken place in quite some time TBH.

I agree, Dawson should fight Tarver first and unify the titles against Diaconu sometime next year. That would make a lot more sense and he would make for money by doing that. If Diaconu were to get some good wins while Dawson is taking care of things with Tarver, then the fight could be a pretty big draw and the winner is undoubably the best light heavyweight IMO.

[Kris Silver]

I find it pretty disapointing he's willing to fight him, but not in Romania, only in the US. What kinda of professional sportsmen are you when you want everything your way like that, I agree man, if your willing to fight him, and they won the bid to have it in Romania, go over there and fight him, jeez. Tarver's really talked up a fight with Dawson and it's clearly worked on the younger guy. Shame really.

[The Hammer]

So people are saying here and on other boxing forums that Dawson had until the end of Monday to sign for the fight, or be stripped.

But I can't find a news article saying he's been stripped of the WBC title.

Anybody know any more about this?

[Boxingwizard]

So people are saying here and on other boxing forums that Dawson had until the end of Monday to sign for the fight, or be stripped.

But I can't find a news article saying he's been stripped of the WBC title.

Anybody know any more about this?

It's not official, it's just a rumor being spread around. Dawson isn't stripped of his title yet, but Dawson needs to make up his mind on whether he wants to fight Tarver or Diaconu. Since Diaconu seems to be a major roadblock on Dawson fighting other opponents, it would be wise for Dawson to get him out the way. Dawson has stated that he would only fight Diaconu in Canada or the U.S, not in Romania, which is why Dawson is stalling.

[slicksouthpaw16]

I find it pretty disapointing he's willing to fight him, but not in Romania, only in the US. What kinda of professional sportsmen are you when you want everything your way like that, I agree man, if your willing to fight him, and they won the bid to have it in Romania, go over there and fight him, jeez. Tarver's really talked up a fight with Dawson and it's clearly worked on the younger guy. Shame really.

Dawson has been pushing for Tarver for almost 2 years now. Tarver's excuse for not fighting him last year was that Dawson is on the path of disaster and that he doesn't deserve a fight with him, which is complete and utter BS. If you want to unify light heavyweight, then why not fight the baddest young champion and prove yourself against him? He was cleary ducking Dawson. I would like Tarver if he did more fighting and less talking.

[Ray*]

It's not official, it's just a rumor being spread around. Dawson isn't stripped of his title yet, but Dawson needs to make up his mind on whether he wants to fight Tarver or Diaconu. Since Diaconu seems to be a major roadblock on Dawson fighting other opponents, it would be wise for Dawson to get him out the way. Dawson has stated that he would only fight Diaconu in Canada or the U.S, not in Romania, which is why Dawson is stalling.

It depends on what type of money is on the table for a Tarver fight, But Dawson putting all his hope on tarver is kind of ******. Tarver seem to hoping for a fight with RJJ.

Dawson should just fight Diaconu just to get the fight out of the way if tarver isnt signing rather than lose his belt

[Boxingwizard]

Dawson has been pushing for Tarver for almost 2 years now. Tarver's excuse for not fighting him last year was that Dawson is on the path of disaster and that he doesn't deserve a fight with him, which is complete and utter BS. If you want to unify light heavyweight, then why not fight the baddest young champion and prove yourself against him? He was cleary ducking Dawson. I would like Tarver if he did more fighting and less talking.

Actually Dawson has been pushing for a Tarver matchup for only a year. He wasn't noticed in the LHW division until he beat Adamek. But lets look at all the chances Dawson was given to fight his mandatory.

1.Last November the WBC gave Dawson an option to face his mandatory or a voluntary opponent before January 25. Diaconu was ready to face Dawson in January or February.

2.Dawson told the WBC that he wanted to fight Glen Johnson first. The WBC denied his request. He then had to go to Mexico and chat with the WBC President himself (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0ktn-jGkHo) to reverse his decision.

3.After extreme begging from Dawson, the WBC allowed him to fight Glen Johnson, but only if he agreed to fight Diaconu after his matchup with Johnson, which he did agree on.

Dawson was given an opportunity to fight Diaconu in January or February. Had he fought Diaconu during that time and won, he would of been free to fight Tarver or anyone else. So lets not talk about Tarver ducking anyone, when Dawson is CLEARLY ducking Diaconu.

[BattlingNelson]

Actually Dawson has been pushing for a Tarver matchup for only a year. He wasn't noticed in the LHW division until he beat Adamek. But lets look at all the chances Dawson was given to fight his mandatory.

1.Last November the WBC gave Dawson an option to face his mandatory or a voluntary opponent before January 25. Diaconu was ready to face Dawson in January or February.

2.Dawson told the WBC that he wanted to fight Glen Johnson first. The WBC denied his request. He then had to go to Mexico and chat with the WBC President himself (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0ktn-jGkHo) to reverse his offer.

3.After extreme begging from Dawson, the WBC allowed him to fight Glen Johnson, but only if he agreed he would fight Diaconu after his matchup with Johnson, which he did.

Dawson was given an opportunity to fight Diaconu in January or February. Had he fought Diaconu during that time and won, he would of been free to fight Tarver or anyone else. So lets not talk about Tarver ducking anyone, when Dawson is CLEARLY ducking Diaconu.

Hmmm... If Dawson made that commitment it's understandable that Diaconu is dissapointed. That Dawson now opts not to honor his promise is a disgrace. I'm afraid that we've seen such dishonest behaviour from many parties in the past and it sucks everytime. Maybe money is the name of the game, but boxing surely could need a few more honest and respectful ppl.

[The Hammer]

It may be Gary Shaw, not Dawson, making this decision.

Just like Don King and Ahmed Ohner, Shaw doesn't have his fighters' best interests in mind.

[BattlingNelson]

It may be Gary Shaw, not Dawson, making this decision.

Just like Don King and Ahmed Ohner, Shaw doesn't have his fighters' best interests in mind.

I should have said TEAM-Dawson of course. The decision is likely not made by the fighter.