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I am pretty frustrated and disappointed with Dawson after the Pascal fight. When this fight was being discussed as a possibility, I got excited because of the styles of Dawson and Pascal. The majority thought that this would be a wash for Dawson, but those who know the sport and examine how styles clash, knew that Pascal’s unpredictable explosiveness, his speed and power would give Dawson problems. Pascal is no longer the mindless slugging machine that fought Carl Froch. Moving up a weightclass warrants a different approach because you’re fighting bigger and stronger fighters.
Even with Pascal’s progression, there were so many opportunities for Dawson to take advantage of. Pascal left himself open to counter punching many times throughout the fight. He would be off balance and visibly tired and would be let off the hook by Chad. He waited too long to pressure Pascal. If Dawson would have pressured Jean in the 8th like he did in the 11th, I’m sure Chad would have gotten him out of there BY the 11th. And yea, he could have possibly taken Pascal out in the 12th. Its boxing and anything can happen. But just like he could have KO’d Pascal, he should have remembered that the fight could also be stopped on cuts and that’s what happened and he got his first L.
It was a classic example of Dawson making the fight harder that it was. He did that in the first Johnson fight and in the second Tarver fight. It’s not that Pascal is a better fighter than Dawson because he’s not. Its Dawson sabotaging his own fight. I’m glad he lost. He needed a wake-up call. Trying to win by doing as little as possible doesn’t work with a fully capable opponent. Dawson realized that too late in the fight. I do put some of the blame on Mustafa Muhammad. Even though he gave Dawson correct instructions, the sense of urgency wasn’t there in my opinion. Going into the 9th, I would have straight up told Chad, “Look, you’re losing this fight and you’re in Canada. You need to put this dude on his ass and do it now. PRESSURE!” because it was obvious the tone he was taking with Chad wasn’t working.
Ultimately though, it’s on Dawson’s head. And as a fan, it’s sad to hear him make excuses as to why he lost taking no accountability. But hey, he’s a boxer, what else is new right? Like I said, though, Dawson needed a wake-up call. He no longer has his perfect record, no longer has his belts and is no longer considered the top dude in the division. Now Pascal is the one everyone wants. Dawson NEEDS to avenge his L ASAP. He needs to get back into the ring with Pascal with the quickness and avoid another long period of inactivity.
As far as the rematch, I got Dawson. I think this experience will light a fire under his ass and wake him up. I feel he finally realize that mediocre performances are no longer enough.
Even with Pascal’s progression, there were so many opportunities for Dawson to take advantage of. Pascal left himself open to counter punching many times throughout the fight. He would be off balance and visibly tired and would be let off the hook by Chad. He waited too long to pressure Pascal. If Dawson would have pressured Jean in the 8th like he did in the 11th, I’m sure Chad would have gotten him out of there BY the 11th. And yea, he could have possibly taken Pascal out in the 12th. Its boxing and anything can happen. But just like he could have KO’d Pascal, he should have remembered that the fight could also be stopped on cuts and that’s what happened and he got his first L.
It was a classic example of Dawson making the fight harder that it was. He did that in the first Johnson fight and in the second Tarver fight. It’s not that Pascal is a better fighter than Dawson because he’s not. Its Dawson sabotaging his own fight. I’m glad he lost. He needed a wake-up call. Trying to win by doing as little as possible doesn’t work with a fully capable opponent. Dawson realized that too late in the fight. I do put some of the blame on Mustafa Muhammad. Even though he gave Dawson correct instructions, the sense of urgency wasn’t there in my opinion. Going into the 9th, I would have straight up told Chad, “Look, you’re losing this fight and you’re in Canada. You need to put this dude on his ass and do it now. PRESSURE!” because it was obvious the tone he was taking with Chad wasn’t working.
Ultimately though, it’s on Dawson’s head. And as a fan, it’s sad to hear him make excuses as to why he lost taking no accountability. But hey, he’s a boxer, what else is new right? Like I said, though, Dawson needed a wake-up call. He no longer has his perfect record, no longer has his belts and is no longer considered the top dude in the division. Now Pascal is the one everyone wants. Dawson NEEDS to avenge his L ASAP. He needs to get back into the ring with Pascal with the quickness and avoid another long period of inactivity.
As far as the rematch, I got Dawson. I think this experience will light a fire under his ass and wake him up. I feel he finally realize that mediocre performances are no longer enough.
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