Dawson Vacates IBF Title, Johnson Fight Nears

[IMDAZED]

Even though I give Chad his just due and not tear him down for ditching his strap to give Glen Johnson his deserved rematch doesn't mean I don't view Tavoris Cloud as a threat to him. Cloud is an aggressive puncher with a high work rate and good stamina. Two things that Chad lacks and they happen to be his kryptonite. I will admit that a lot of times the sanctioning bodies come up with scrub ass mofos as mandatories, but this is one instance of where they got it right. Just because you are a fan of Chad doesn't mean that you shouldn't have the inability to put yourself in other fighters' shoes. How do you think Chad would have gotten his shot at Adamek and a belt if mandatories didn't exist? Or Kelly Pavlik at Jermaine Taylor? The list goes on and on. The sanctioning bodies are money grubbing though and I can name some undeserving mandos off the top of my head like Mzonke Fana, Steve Molitor, Ray Austin, or Clinton Woods for that matter. But Tavoris is the future of 175 and he will beat Dawson if the fight ever happens. I don't think Chad is capable of scoring a stoppage over Julio Gonzalez. He would have played it safe like he's done in all his fights.

You make some good points Ice, although I don't think Chad's inability to stop a faded Julio Gonzalez (which is total conjecture, btw) means ****. In fact, this is one of those times the sanctioning body gets it right for all the wrong reasons. Cloud could in fact be the future of the division but a stoppage over old man Julio shouldn't warrant a #1 ranking. Funny how things work out.

[Iceta]

You make some good points Ice, although I don't think Chad's inability to stop a faded Julio Gonzalez (which is total conjecture, btw) means ****. In fact, this is one of those times the sanctioning body gets it right for all the wrong reasons. Cloud could in fact be the future of the division but a stoppage over old man Julio shouldn't warrant a #1 ranking. Funny how things work out.

To be honest, Cloud is actually an undeserving mandatory challenger if you want to go by his resume, who he has fought, and the little monetary reward he brings to the table. But the dude won me over with his performance against Gonzalez. It just baffles the hell out of me why his handlers didn't try to get another fight to keep the public aware of him.

[IMDAZED]

To be honest, Cloud is actually an undeserving mandatory challenger if you want to go by his resume, who he has fought, and the little monetary reward he brings to the table. But the dude won me over with his performance against Gonzalez. It just baffles the hell out of me why his handlers didn't try to get another fight to keep the public aware of him.

I first heard about Cloud on the undercard of a lot of Telefutura shows, where he usually KO'ed his opponent in one round. I remember thinking, who the **** is this guy? That said, while the manner in which he won his fights is impressive, the opponents aren't. And I agree that his handlers made a mistake but I think Woods is a very good choice of opponent. Should be a good scrap.

Good stuff, man.

[Iceta]

I first heard about Cloud on the undercard of a lot of Telefutura shows, where he usually KO'ed his opponent in one round. I remember thinking, who the **** is this guy? That said, while the manner in which he won his fights is impressive, the opponents aren't. And I agree that his handlers made a mistake but I think Woods is a very good choice of opponent. Should be a good scrap.

Good stuff, man.

You think Woods is a good opponent? That's where I think I've got to respectfully disagree with you there. Of course this isn't Cloud's fault, but Woods shouldn't even sniff a title shot after the way he performed against Tarver. The truth is he should be 0-3 against Glen Johnson. The good thing for Cloud though is he's probably going to get a decent payday out of this because Woods is a known name in the UK that draws a decent crowd to his fights I beleive. Cloud just has to worry about the robbery factor if he ends up going overseas, because even though the boxing skills of Clinton sucks, he does have a pretty good chin. He's only been stopped by a prime RJJ. They are probably going to bid on this fight and it'll be interesting to see who wins the bid.

[IMDAZED]

You think Woods is a good opponent? That's where I think I've got to respectfully disagree with you there. Of course this isn't Cloud's fault, but Woods shouldn't even sniff a title shot after the way he performed against Tarver. The truth is he should be 0-3 against Glen Johnson. The good thing for Cloud though is he's probably going to get a decent payday out of this because Woods is a known name in the UK that draws a decent crowd to his fights I beleive. Cloud just has to worry about the robbery factor if he ends up going overseas, because even though the boxing skills of Clinton sucks, he does have a pretty good chin. He's only been stopped by a prime RJJ. They are probably going to bid on this fight and it'll be interesting to see who wins the bid.

Sure he's a good opponent, not good fighter (not anymore at least but who knows?).

[Dave Rado]

This the type of **** I HATE from boxing fans. First they say Chad is a ***** for not giving Glen Johnson a rematch, he gives him a rematch and now he is a ***** and is ducking someone else? You can't have it both ****ing ways.

To be fair, I think it's mostly a different set of people who are criticising him for "ducking" Cloud from the people who criticised him for "ducking" Johnson.

[Dave Rado]

It sure is but isn't HBO bread. For once, Glen Johnson is not only the better fighter he's also the bigger draw. Simple decision between Cloud and the Road Warrior.

I agree, but my eyebrows were raised at the other poster saying that Dawson "couldn't" fight Cloud because the money wasn't there. That's the sort of argument Mayweather's fans use for not fighting the best available opposition. Where there's a will there's a way. In this case I think it's good that he's fighting Johnson, though.

[Alec900]

This the type of **** I HATE from boxing fans. First they say Chad is a ***** for not giving Glen Johnson a rematch, he gives him a rematch and now he is a ***** and is ducking someone else? You can't have it both ****ing ways.

he gives Johnson rematch NOW becouse his other option is to fight young,hungry and powerfull fighter in Tavoris Cloud.

in 12 rounds Cloud would catch Chad atleast once and Chad is worried can his chin hold up (it can't,btw)