Weight was an issue, no doubt...

[deejd]

It was obvious Dawson felt the seven pound difference. He couldn't get any of his punches off and around the 6th, he started resorting to holding. At '75 he uses his jab more and gets off combinations here and there, but regardless, Ward and Hill's game plan... I'm starting to think he and Mayweather should be co-p4p.

[vacon04]

Weight didn't matter that much, Ward simply outboxed him, Dawson never fought a guy like Ward. Ward's superior boxing ability allowed him to land CLEAN shots to the chin, it allowed him to even neutralize Dawson's jab.

When they asked Dawson how Ward took away his jab he said he didn't know and he's just a great fighter.

What? Didn't matter that much? The guy had no speed, no reflexes, his footwork was sloppy as shit, couldn't take a punch and threw an average of 18 punches per round ... Dawson has always been passive, but 18 punches per round is just absurd.

[firstborn]

Understand the weight excuse, but Chad challenged Ward for his title so he should have been more prepared! I doubt folks would give Ward the same pass if he went up LH to fight for Chad's title.