Tweet
Exlusive Interview: "Bad" Chad Dawson
By Ace Freeman
FightFan.com caught up with light heavyweight contender "Bad" Chad Dawson and got the inside scoop on his introduction to boxing, his sparring sessions with Winky Wright, his plans for 2007 and more.
October 2, 2006
FF: Chad thanks for taking the time to talk with the FightFans at FightFan.com. You’re considered one of boxing’s top young fighters, and at 6’3 you’ve currently just moved up to light heavyweight. Can you talk a little bit about your style for the fans out there who don’t know a lot about you yet?
CD: I consider myself more of a boxer. A slick boxer who tires not to get hit as much. I think I’m an all around good boxer with good skills.
FF: What got you into boxing as a young man?
CD: My father started training me and my brothers before we even started going to the gym. The first time I went to the gym was when I was eleven years old.
FF: Can you tell us about your amateur career?
CD: I had a pretty good amateur career. I think out of 85 or so fights that I only had 12 losses. I had a great amateur career and most of the losses were in National Tournaments. Guys like Jermain Taylor and Jeff Lacy went to the Olympics, but I had to work my way up and that was a good confidence builder.
FF: Was there a time when thinking about turning professional that you knew you’d devote your life to the sport and did you have the goal of making it to the top on a world level?
CD: Yea, I mean believe it or not I’ve wanted to be a professional fighter since I was a young kid. I always remember saying that. Boxing’s always been something I love doing and right now I’m at the point where I get to showcase my talent and bring it to another level. Working with Dan Birmingham has been a great thing and I want to put on a show every time I’m in the ring and become a household name. Hopefully one day I’ll be considered the best fighter who’s ever boxed.
FF: "Iceman" John Scully is a good friend of ours. Can you tell us what it was like working with him and what that added to your development?
CD: Working with Scully, I developed a lot. He was really the first guy who told me I’ve got a good jab and I’ve got to start using it. He’s the one who put that in my head. If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t have the work ethic that I have now. He really worked me hard and put me through everything.
FF: In the last few years you’ve really stepped up your competition. You fought a very experienced guy in Carl Daniels and stopped him just a few fights after he went ten rounds with Bernard Hopkins. Can you talk a little bit about that fight, what it meant and what you took away from it?
CD: That fight was a big fight for me. At the time of that fight I knew Daniels was a veteran and a lot of people thought I was crazy for taking it. I took the fight and I looked at the age difference knowing I was young and coming up and I won. I made a name for myself in that fight and I think people really wanted to see me fight more after that. I knew he’d fought Bernard and went ten rounds and I felt I could get him out of there earlier than that.
FF: You were a very big guy to be fighting at middle and super middle. Earlier this year you moved up to light heavyweight. Was that because you couldn’t make those weights anymore, or do you feel light heavyweight is the optimum weight for you?
CD: I had a problem with middleweight for a while. I was killing myself to make 160 and the last 6 fights were very tough and I was just making the weight. I tried super middleweight, but because I’d been struggling to make middleweight. When I started eating my body liked it and I was getting bigger and stronger. I could make 168, but I figured if I move up to light heavyweight I won’t have to starve myself and I can eat, train, and be strong.
FF: What do you feel that’s done for your power? Do you feel stronger now at light heavyweight with not having to cut weight, and do you feel your power has come up to this division with you?
CD: Yea, I feel a lot stronger, and believe it or not, I feel a lot faster. Just me being able to eat and train and still be in shape… it makes me tougher and a lot stronger. I’m not killing myself to make weight anymore, and I’m not spending hours in the sauna in the days leading up to fights to shed weight. All around I feel very good at light heavyweight and I think this is where I should be at. I think I’ll be here for a few years yet.
FF: Your first fight at light heavyweight was against a very good pro-fighter in Eric Harding. That was a big leap up in competition for a 24 year-old fighter, yet you put in a very impressive performance. Talk about that fight.
CD: Thank you. That was a fight where me, my manager Mike Criscio, Dan and Gary Shaw, we all picked that fight. I knew it was a good fight for me and I knew Eric Harding was a good fighter. I knew the best way for me to make a statement at light heavyweight and to do it fast was to take a fight with a veteran who’s known for having fought great fighters. I took the fight and like I said, I think the challenge speaks for itself. I think I am one of the most talented fighters out there fight now. With my talent and me being in shape for a fight I’m ready for anything.
FF: Harding is a very seasoned pro. He’s a prototypical Philly fighter and he did drop you in the first round in that fight. Talk about what went through your head and what allowed you to get up and take command of the fight.
CD: That knock down was a flash knock down and I think it was more my nerves. Harding had a good reputation and he hit me with a good shot on the button, but I wasn’t hurt or staggered or anything. I knew I had to get up and take the fight to him. If I’d have gotten up and not done anything he’d think I was psyched out so I had to take it to him.
FF: The light heavyweight division is completely up for grabs at this point in time and your first fight in the division was against a legitimate top 15 fighter. I’m assuming you don’t want to step back from that, and want to gun for the top rather quickly. What’s your time frame like on fighting the top light heavyweights? Are you ready?
CD: I’m ready for that. I’m locked, loaded, and ready.
FF: Is light heavyweight where you’ll be for quite some time? At 6’3, do you think we could see you at cruiserweight or heavyweight in the future?
CD: My goal is to become the undisputed light heavyweight champion. Three or four years from now I want to move up to heavyweight and win a title there. Roy Jones Jr did it and all the greats want to do it. I want to be able to say I did it.
FF: Tell us what it’s like working with Dan Birmingham, and what has he added to your game?
CD: Dan is a great trainer. He’s in the gym and he works hard with everyone. He gives everyone their own time and I’ve never had that other than the time I’d spent working with Scully. Dan is a very hands on trainer and he works just as hard as the fighters do. When we’re training he’s checking up on everyone and I needed that for my boxing career.
FF: Do you ever spar with some of the other guys Dan trains like Winky Wright or Jeff Lacy?
CD: Yea I’ve sparred with Jeff a few times and with Winky a few times.
FF: What was it like working with Winky? Is there anything you take away from working with a guy like that?
CD: Oh yea, I learned a lot from Winky. Winky is fast and very slick in his own way. Me sparring with Winky is like a chess match. It’s fun and I like stuff like that. I think Winky likes it too. It’s good work for both of us.
FF: A little off topic, but did you think Winky won that fight against Jermain Taylor?
CD: Yea, I thought Winky edged it out. But I wasn’t mad that they called it a draw. It was a close fight and a draw was fair.
FF: There’s rumors floating around you may fight on a card in Germany featuring John Ruiz and the return of Felix Strum in November. Is there any truth to that?
CD: Yes, but I think the date was pushed back to early December.
FF: What does 2007 have in store for Chad Dawson?
CD: Oh man, I really think 2007 is going to be my year. I want to be on top in boxing and be like Bernard Hopkins and Roy and those guys and I hope this is going to be my year. I want to headline and become a champion.
FF: In closing, what would you like to say to all the Bad Chad Dawson fans out there?
CD: Just keep watching me. Like I said, 2007 is going to be my year!
FF: Chad thanks for doing this. You’re one of our favorite young fighters to watch and it was a pleasure speaking with you.
CD: Thank you, I appreciate that.
here's the link for more...
By Ace Freeman
FightFan.com caught up with light heavyweight contender "Bad" Chad Dawson and got the inside scoop on his introduction to boxing, his sparring sessions with Winky Wright, his plans for 2007 and more.
October 2, 2006
FF: Chad thanks for taking the time to talk with the FightFans at FightFan.com. You’re considered one of boxing’s top young fighters, and at 6’3 you’ve currently just moved up to light heavyweight. Can you talk a little bit about your style for the fans out there who don’t know a lot about you yet?
CD: I consider myself more of a boxer. A slick boxer who tires not to get hit as much. I think I’m an all around good boxer with good skills.
FF: What got you into boxing as a young man?
CD: My father started training me and my brothers before we even started going to the gym. The first time I went to the gym was when I was eleven years old.
FF: Can you tell us about your amateur career?
CD: I had a pretty good amateur career. I think out of 85 or so fights that I only had 12 losses. I had a great amateur career and most of the losses were in National Tournaments. Guys like Jermain Taylor and Jeff Lacy went to the Olympics, but I had to work my way up and that was a good confidence builder.
FF: Was there a time when thinking about turning professional that you knew you’d devote your life to the sport and did you have the goal of making it to the top on a world level?
CD: Yea, I mean believe it or not I’ve wanted to be a professional fighter since I was a young kid. I always remember saying that. Boxing’s always been something I love doing and right now I’m at the point where I get to showcase my talent and bring it to another level. Working with Dan Birmingham has been a great thing and I want to put on a show every time I’m in the ring and become a household name. Hopefully one day I’ll be considered the best fighter who’s ever boxed.
FF: "Iceman" John Scully is a good friend of ours. Can you tell us what it was like working with him and what that added to your development?
CD: Working with Scully, I developed a lot. He was really the first guy who told me I’ve got a good jab and I’ve got to start using it. He’s the one who put that in my head. If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t have the work ethic that I have now. He really worked me hard and put me through everything.
FF: In the last few years you’ve really stepped up your competition. You fought a very experienced guy in Carl Daniels and stopped him just a few fights after he went ten rounds with Bernard Hopkins. Can you talk a little bit about that fight, what it meant and what you took away from it?
CD: That fight was a big fight for me. At the time of that fight I knew Daniels was a veteran and a lot of people thought I was crazy for taking it. I took the fight and I looked at the age difference knowing I was young and coming up and I won. I made a name for myself in that fight and I think people really wanted to see me fight more after that. I knew he’d fought Bernard and went ten rounds and I felt I could get him out of there earlier than that.
FF: You were a very big guy to be fighting at middle and super middle. Earlier this year you moved up to light heavyweight. Was that because you couldn’t make those weights anymore, or do you feel light heavyweight is the optimum weight for you?
CD: I had a problem with middleweight for a while. I was killing myself to make 160 and the last 6 fights were very tough and I was just making the weight. I tried super middleweight, but because I’d been struggling to make middleweight. When I started eating my body liked it and I was getting bigger and stronger. I could make 168, but I figured if I move up to light heavyweight I won’t have to starve myself and I can eat, train, and be strong.
FF: What do you feel that’s done for your power? Do you feel stronger now at light heavyweight with not having to cut weight, and do you feel your power has come up to this division with you?
CD: Yea, I feel a lot stronger, and believe it or not, I feel a lot faster. Just me being able to eat and train and still be in shape… it makes me tougher and a lot stronger. I’m not killing myself to make weight anymore, and I’m not spending hours in the sauna in the days leading up to fights to shed weight. All around I feel very good at light heavyweight and I think this is where I should be at. I think I’ll be here for a few years yet.
FF: Your first fight at light heavyweight was against a very good pro-fighter in Eric Harding. That was a big leap up in competition for a 24 year-old fighter, yet you put in a very impressive performance. Talk about that fight.
CD: Thank you. That was a fight where me, my manager Mike Criscio, Dan and Gary Shaw, we all picked that fight. I knew it was a good fight for me and I knew Eric Harding was a good fighter. I knew the best way for me to make a statement at light heavyweight and to do it fast was to take a fight with a veteran who’s known for having fought great fighters. I took the fight and like I said, I think the challenge speaks for itself. I think I am one of the most talented fighters out there fight now. With my talent and me being in shape for a fight I’m ready for anything.
FF: Harding is a very seasoned pro. He’s a prototypical Philly fighter and he did drop you in the first round in that fight. Talk about what went through your head and what allowed you to get up and take command of the fight.
CD: That knock down was a flash knock down and I think it was more my nerves. Harding had a good reputation and he hit me with a good shot on the button, but I wasn’t hurt or staggered or anything. I knew I had to get up and take the fight to him. If I’d have gotten up and not done anything he’d think I was psyched out so I had to take it to him.
FF: The light heavyweight division is completely up for grabs at this point in time and your first fight in the division was against a legitimate top 15 fighter. I’m assuming you don’t want to step back from that, and want to gun for the top rather quickly. What’s your time frame like on fighting the top light heavyweights? Are you ready?
CD: I’m ready for that. I’m locked, loaded, and ready.
FF: Is light heavyweight where you’ll be for quite some time? At 6’3, do you think we could see you at cruiserweight or heavyweight in the future?
CD: My goal is to become the undisputed light heavyweight champion. Three or four years from now I want to move up to heavyweight and win a title there. Roy Jones Jr did it and all the greats want to do it. I want to be able to say I did it.
FF: Tell us what it’s like working with Dan Birmingham, and what has he added to your game?
CD: Dan is a great trainer. He’s in the gym and he works hard with everyone. He gives everyone their own time and I’ve never had that other than the time I’d spent working with Scully. Dan is a very hands on trainer and he works just as hard as the fighters do. When we’re training he’s checking up on everyone and I needed that for my boxing career.
FF: Do you ever spar with some of the other guys Dan trains like Winky Wright or Jeff Lacy?
CD: Yea I’ve sparred with Jeff a few times and with Winky a few times.
FF: What was it like working with Winky? Is there anything you take away from working with a guy like that?
CD: Oh yea, I learned a lot from Winky. Winky is fast and very slick in his own way. Me sparring with Winky is like a chess match. It’s fun and I like stuff like that. I think Winky likes it too. It’s good work for both of us.
FF: A little off topic, but did you think Winky won that fight against Jermain Taylor?
CD: Yea, I thought Winky edged it out. But I wasn’t mad that they called it a draw. It was a close fight and a draw was fair.
FF: There’s rumors floating around you may fight on a card in Germany featuring John Ruiz and the return of Felix Strum in November. Is there any truth to that?
CD: Yes, but I think the date was pushed back to early December.
FF: What does 2007 have in store for Chad Dawson?
CD: Oh man, I really think 2007 is going to be my year. I want to be on top in boxing and be like Bernard Hopkins and Roy and those guys and I hope this is going to be my year. I want to headline and become a champion.
FF: In closing, what would you like to say to all the Bad Chad Dawson fans out there?
CD: Just keep watching me. Like I said, 2007 is going to be my year!
FF: Chad thanks for doing this. You’re one of our favorite young fighters to watch and it was a pleasure speaking with you.
CD: Thank you, I appreciate that.
here's the link for more...
Comment