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I'm keen on both these guys. They're slick southpaws, amongst the fastest in their respective divisions (both in terms of handspeed and overall movement), and each would likely find success at 168 or 175. But if they were to meet - either at a 172 catchweight or in the aforementioned divisions (at which I'm pretty sure both are comfortable) - who would win?
Firstly, I give the edge in handspeed to Dirrell by a small but thorough margin - he would get his shots off first, and Dawson would be left squaring up too much to fire his own in return. As for movement, both seem very comfortable whilst fighting (keyword: boxing) going backwards - Dawson, however, likes to trade more up close and stand his ground occasionally. I'm not sure as to who'd bring the fight more, but I have a feeling it'd be Dawson being bolder.
When it comes to footwork, Dirrell places his feet much better and doesn't allow himself to get tangled up when trading or evading an attack. Dawson, on the other hand, looks off-balance a lot when he throws his combos, and doesn't bounce out of his own spot very well. Also, his hands have a bad habit of creeping down low when he lets 'em rip - a perfect chance for a quick Dirrell counter. Besides that, Dawson has a higher guard and likely the better defence.
I think it'd be an extremely close and tactical battle of wills, possibly with a flash a KD or two, and likely ending in an SD because of polarised opinions on who'd be landing cleaner (i.e. whether or not blocked jabs are to be counted when the other isn't attacking for the entire round). Something like Mayweather-Judah springs to mind, but with heart on both sides. My winner, though - Dirrell. Only just.
Thoughts?
Firstly, I give the edge in handspeed to Dirrell by a small but thorough margin - he would get his shots off first, and Dawson would be left squaring up too much to fire his own in return. As for movement, both seem very comfortable whilst fighting (keyword: boxing) going backwards - Dawson, however, likes to trade more up close and stand his ground occasionally. I'm not sure as to who'd bring the fight more, but I have a feeling it'd be Dawson being bolder.
When it comes to footwork, Dirrell places his feet much better and doesn't allow himself to get tangled up when trading or evading an attack. Dawson, on the other hand, looks off-balance a lot when he throws his combos, and doesn't bounce out of his own spot very well. Also, his hands have a bad habit of creeping down low when he lets 'em rip - a perfect chance for a quick Dirrell counter. Besides that, Dawson has a higher guard and likely the better defence.
I think it'd be an extremely close and tactical battle of wills, possibly with a flash a KD or two, and likely ending in an SD because of polarised opinions on who'd be landing cleaner (i.e. whether or not blocked jabs are to be counted when the other isn't attacking for the entire round). Something like Mayweather-Judah springs to mind, but with heart on both sides. My winner, though - Dirrell. Only just.
Thoughts?
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