“Fighting Words” – Finally: Tarver-Dawson, Peter-Klitschko

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

by David P. Greisman - We’re not here to talk about the past.

But it’s here.

Two bouts that were this close to being too late will finally come to fruition Saturday, when Antonio Tarver defends his light heavyweight title against Chad Dawson and Samuel Peter slugs it out with Vitali Klitschko for a heavyweight belt.

What is this, 2007?

Klitschko was supposed to have made his comeback then, fighting for the first time since 2004 and Danny Williams. Injuries kept Klitschko from facing Hasim Rahman the following year, subsequently forcing him to retire.

The World Boxing Council named Klitschko its “Champion Emeritus,” allowing him to come back as the mandatory challenger should he ever heal his wounds and should he find retirement not to be fulfilling any longer.

That day came. Oleg Maskaev held the WBC’s title. But Samuel Peter had won two elimination bouts for the right to face him. Legal wrangling ensued, and eventually Klitschko had signed to face Jameel McCline in September 2007 while Maskaev and Peter would fight in October. The winners were to meet later.

Things didn’t exactly happen that way.

Klitschko pulled out of his bout because of a back injury. Maskaev cited the same reason for putting off the Peter fight. Those left standing, Peter and McCline, would face each other. McCline floored Peter thrice, but Peter came back to take the decision.

Peter went on to knock out Maskaev in March. And Klitschko is, at last, set to return, barring any unexpected surgical procedures. [details]

[Hitman932]

Could we please have twice as much David Greisman and eliminate TK Stewart articles?

Thanks in advance.

[!!Captain]

Co-sign...............

[edgarg]

Could we please have twice as much David Greisman and eliminate TK Stewart articles?

Thanks in advance.

I think that T.K. Stewart has been having a temporary "0ff-season" malaise, and will, I hope return to his former excellent style and content.

Yes, there have been some rather amateurish headline articles lately and with the publication of the above David Greisman "novella". every bit of which was eminently readable, I hope that a new page has been turned and that the following efforts will attempt to compete with this exceptionally good, topical article.

The "10 count" section, with which I absolutely agree, especially the late stoppage in the Tsurkan-Angulo fight by an apparently unwilling or petrified Tony Crebs. In my opinion, Tsurkan's corner was equally to blame, even if, as has been known to happen, the fighter extracts a promise from his corner NOT to stop the fight under any circumstances. Sometimes over-brave fighters have been known to do this. I don't know if this was the case here, but SOME good explanation is absolutely demanded.

I can't think of any.

[oA2o]

Dawson got a gift against Johnson and he knows it. I have a feeling Tarver may knock him out.

[juandabomb]

I beg to defer eliminate Ronnie Nathanielsz first,that dude is a piece of crap.

Could we please have twice as much David Greisman and eliminate TK Stewart articles?

Thanks in advance.

[T-97]

Dawson got a gift against Johnson and he knows it. I have a feeling Tarver may knock him out.

I'm starting to get the same feeling.

[Chunk..]

I'm starting to get the same feeling.

In this case, youth can be Dawson's best asset or it can be his worst asset, when it comes to experience. I think Dawson did a lot of growing in his fight against Glen Johnson, so I'm going to be optimistic and think that the experience thing won't be a big factor.

Outside of Elvir Muriqi, the last time Tarver fought anyone under the age of thirty was 2002. Tarver is only getting older and Dawson will be by far his youngest opponent since Eric Harding defeated and broke his jaw in 2000. Anyway, lightly known, Elvir Muriqi put up a very game effort against Tarver and pretty much gave Tarver more than expected. I think Dawson is a better fighter than Muriqi, so of the youthful Muriqi gave Tarver issues, than an even younger Dawson could possibly have the same success.

Tarver has gotten to the point where a very busy fighter can be disturbing to him. In his last few fights, Tarver was more comfortable when the pace was slow. Dawson should take advantage of his youth and make Tarver work at his pace. At the same time, Dawson should be careful, because Tarver can still be dangerous with his left. If Dawson doesn't get over excited, then I think he should be alright for the victory.