Undefeated Jr. Welterweight Danny Garcia talks about his showdown with Kendall Holt on October 15th as part of the Bernard Hopkins – Chad Dawson undercard

Undefeated Jr. Welterweight Danny Garcia works out in advance of his October 15 showdown with Kendall Holt as part of the Bernard Hopkins – Chad Dawson undercard

Dewey Bozella works out for his pro debut on October 15th as part of the Bernard Hopkins – Chad Dawson undercard

15rounds.com Claudia Bocanegra was on hand at BB King’s in Time Square New York City for the formal announcement of the Bernard Hopkins – Chad Dawson October 15th PPV fight for Hopkins Light Heavyweight championship

Former Light Heavyweight champion Chad Dawson speaks to the media about his October 15th Championship showdown with Bernard Hopkins

Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson met the media at BB Kingsin NYC to announce their October 15th PPV showdown also see Danny Garcia and Kendall Holt

Promoter Gary Shaw breaks down the October 15th PPV card featuring Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson

Jr. Welterweight contender Kendall Holt talks about his October 15th showdown with Danny Garcia on the Bernard Hopkins- Chad Dawson PPV

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that Jr. Welterweights Kendall Hilt and Danny Garcia will fight eachother on October 15th as part of the Bernard Hopkins – Chad Dawson world Light Heavyweight title fight undercard in Los Angeles.

“It’s done, 100 percent done and I’m very excited about this fight,” said Holt’s promoter Gary Shaw. “I think it’s a great fight and the right fight for both fighters.”

“It wasn’t hard at all,” he said. “Golden Boy and myself both wanted to make the fight and both fighters wanted the fight. That makes the perfect marriage.”

“I don’t think Garcia has ever felt the kind of power Kendall has and Kendall may not have been in with anyone recently with the kind of speed that Garcia has,” Shaw said. “It’s the old cliche — this is the young fighter versus the veteran, which is the theme of Hopkins and Dawson as well.”

junior lightweight titleholder Jorge Linares (31-1, 20 KOs) for the lightweight belt recently vacated by Humberto Soto (DeMarco’s cousin).

Shaw said he and Golden Boy are still working to finalize a fourth televised bout, but that it could include heavyweight Franklin Lawrence, whom Shaw recently signed, or blue chip featherweight prospect Gary Russell Jr., a 2008 U.S. Olympian.

“We’ll lock in the last fight probably by Wednesday,” Shaw said.

World Light Heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins works out as he begins camp for his October 15 showdown with Chad Dawson

Once thought to be staged at The Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, the Bernard Hopkins-Chad Dawson HBO Pay Per View fight will now land at The Staples Center in Los Angeles on October 15th accroding to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“It does look like it will be at the Staples Center,” said Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions. “It’s probably 95 percent it will be there. I am just working with them to finalize our deal.”

Talks with The Prudential Center hit a snag after The building insisted that Main Events, which has staged all of the boxing events at the Prudential Center be involved with the fight card by having signage in the building and a spot on the undercard for Kathy Duva’s promotion.

This will be Hopkins second fight at The Staples Center and first since his February, 2005 Middleweight title defense against Howard Eastman.

“We had a great crowd when Bernard did his historic 20th title defense and now he will do his first defense of the historic title he won against (Jean) Pascal,” Schaefer said. “I think Los Angeles boxing fans, Los Angeles sports fans, the celebrities — I think they like these kind of meaningful events. Staples Center is very excited about it.”

The fight will headline an HBO PPV card. Schaefer and Gary Shaw, Dawson’s promoter, have been working on the undercard.

One of the supporting bouts has been agreed to, Schaefer said. Golden Boy fighter Jorge Linares will face Antonio DeMarco, who is promoted by Shaw, for the lightweight title recently vacated by Humberto Soto (DeMarco’s cousin).

“Gary confirmed to me that his side is in and our side is in, so it looks like that will be one of the fights,” Schaefer said.

“The most consistent launching pad for future champions for a full decade” ShoBox: The New Generation celebrates it’s 10 year anniversary with a live match between top prospects Diego Magdaleno and Alejandro Perez. Watch highlights from today’s boxing stars who made their bones on ShoBox including Chad Dawson, Ricky Hatton, Robert Guerrero, Kelly Pavlik, Kermit Cintron, Joan Guzman, Victor Ortiz, Paul Williams, Timothy Bradley, Carl Froch, Nonito Donaire, Andre Ward, and more.

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that talks are underway for a Light Heavyweight showdown between new champion Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson that could take place this Fall.

“Richard (Schaefer) called me and said he wanted to discuss making the fight and I was excited because we were on the same page,” Said Dawson’s promoter Gary Shaw. “We talked about places we could do the fight, but we want to do the fight wherever we can make the most money. He agreed.

“We said we would both get on the phone with HBO on Monday and try to lock in a date. We basically have our deal done. We agreed to a split (of the revenue) and we agreed to a deal in concept.”

“The reason why the (Hopkins-Pascal) rematch happened is because Gary and Chad were supportive,” Schaefer said. “They could have made a stink about it but they didn’t. It was a very tricky negotiation in order to get Bernard the rematch with Pascal. Now Dawson deserves his shot.

“Gary and me had conversations before to work things out so Bernard could get the rematch with Pascal. All of those discussions should make it easy to get things into motion and get the fight between Bernard and Dawson done. I am very positive it will happen. It’s the fight Bernard wants and the fight Chad wants. So Gary and me are talking about it.”

“I got a call (Wednesday) from (a venue in) Las Vegas and they are interested. (Thursday) I had lunch with the people from the Staples Center (in Los Angeles) and they are interested as well,” Schaefer said. “I have talked to (Pascal promoter) Yvon Michel about going back to Canada. Atlantic City is interested as well. There is a tremendous buzz about Bernard Hopkins after he did what he did. The big rating HBO did means millions of people saw Bernard in one of his best performances. People want to see Bernard back.”

Even though Hopkins has been busy making the media rounds since breaking George Foreman’s record as the oldest fighter to win a title, he also was thinking about the impending fight with Dawson.

“I have to honor my agreement with Chad first,” he said of potential fights. “It’s me and him next.”

Its 10 years since Adrian “The Shark” Diaconu 27-2(15) left his native Romania to turn professional in Canada. In a highly decorated amateur career Diaconu had won bronze at the 1997 World Championships and then two years later at the same event he upgraded to a silver medal before representing his country on the grandest stage of all the Olympics in 2000. He made his debut in 2001 and fought mostly in Canada, honing his skills and getting used to life away from his homeland for the next few years. That is until the spring of 2008 when he headed back to Romania to fight Chris Henry for the vacant WBC Interim Light Heavyweight title which he won on points. After a year out of the ring he lost his crown to Jean Pascal and also lost a rematch. Now Diaconu 32, is on the comeback trail and meets Chad Dawson on the weekend as chief support to the Jean Pascal-Bernard Hopkins 2 fight. He knows that to remain a factor in the division he needs to overcome Dawson. It won’t be an easy task, though he’ll hope to use his pressure & marauding style to smoother the wider skill set of Dawson. Here’s what Diaconu had to say.

Hello Adrian, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Firstly you last fought in October last year when you beat Omar Sheika, how did you feel after 10 months away? Were you happy with your performance?

Adrian Diaconu – After two defeats when I lost the title with Jean Pascal then I tried to get the title back and lost again. So was very hard for me to get back in shape. After two defeats it’s not easy. I came back strong. I fought Omar Sheika, I did a very good fight in my opinion. I’m happy.

Anson Wainwright – You’re fighting Chad Dawson on the Pascal-Hopkins 2 card. Can you tell us anything about that fight any what do you think of Dawson?

Adrian Diaconu – You know this last fight he didn’t prove much. I think he’ll come back strong. Right now I think he’s going to be ready for me.

Anson Wainwright – What do you think of the Pascal-Hopkins fight?

Adrian Diaconu -To be honest, right now I’m focused on my fight. It’s going to be an Interesting fight for sure like the first one. My preparation is to be ready for Chad Dawson. But I hope whoever is best wins.

Anson Wainwright – What have you done with your time since your last fight? Have you trained? What is your walk around weight at the moment?

Adrian Diaconu – No, no. I had one week off after the (Sheika) fight. Then I came back to the gym. Depends around 195-200.

Anson Wainwright – Could you tell us about your team. Who are your manager, trainer & promoter?

Adrian Diaconu – Promoter is Interbox, I manage myself and my trainers are Pierre Bouchard & Stéphan Larouche.

Anson Wainwright – Could you tell us about your younger days growing up in Ploiesti, Romania and how you first became interested in Boxing?

Adrian Diaconu – I was a little kid with a lot of energy and my father and teacher asked me to go and expand that energy in the gym.

Anson Wainwright – You had a very successful amateur career in which you represented your country at the 2000 Olympics and twice in the World Championships. What can you tell us about your amateur career?

Adrian Diaconu – I fought a lot of good boxers Sergio Martinez, Carl Froch. I fought the best in the world. Now I’m involved in something else so don’t look at the past.

Anson Wainwright – Lucian Bute is Romanian & fights out of Canada. Can you tell us about the relationship you share?

Adrian Diaconu – We’re good friends. We work out of the same gym. When we were younger we fought on the same squad.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us what happened for you to end up fighting in Canada?

Adrian Diaconu – There was Interest to go pro so I came to Canada. It wasn’t possible to box there (In Romania) at that time.

Anson Wainwright – How do you see the state of the Light Heavyweight division and where do you think you fit in?

Adrian Diaconu – I have a chance to prove I belong at this level with Chad Dawson. With a big win next weekend I’ll be in the mix.

Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do with your spare time? What are your hobbies and Interests? Do you go back to Romania often?

Adrian Diaconu – Fishing. Fishing is a good passion of mine. I go back to Romania every year.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans?

Adrian Diaconu – Watch the fight!

Thanks for your time Adrian, good luck with your fight on the weekend.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com

Weekend thoughts – You have to give Andre Ward credit he put on a clinic Saturday night, he boxed outstandingly, he’s got speed to burn, his ring generalship was also very impressive. It’s a shame he doesn’t have a big punch, it’s the only thing missing. He’s come on leaps and bounds since the Super Six started. I can’t wait until the final against either Carl Froch or Glen Johnson. I’d favour Ward over either but both guys would bring their own set of problems for Ward. Credit to Abraham for at least having a go this time which is more than can be said for his fight against Froch. It’s tough to see where Abraham goes at 168 from here. It was mentioned he may go back to Middleweight where his strength was much more effective, at 168 he’s not able to bully the top guys. If he can get back down to 160 and get a few wins under his belt I’ll love to see him fight Dmitry Pirog or Sergio Martinez…It was good to see Chris Arreola get into good shape, he looked pretty impressive stopping Nagy Aguilera in three. He got a little wild trying to stop Aguilera but I’m sure his better conditioning helped him not gas out and allow him to keep up his assault. It was the lightest Arreola has been in since 2007…On Friday in England on Friday Prince Aaron won a barburner against Sam Webb to take the British title. Aaron stopped Webb in the final round. he first sprang to prominence last year winning Prizefighter. At 6’3 he holds huge physical advantages over every Light Middleweight.

It was a major surprise late last year when it was announced that Glen Johnson 51-14-2(35) would be a late addition to the Super Six, his inclusion only came because other fighters fell out of the tournament through various injury’s. He scored a dominant win over Allen Green to progress to the Semi Finals where he will now meet Carl Froch for the Englishman’s WBC Super Middleweight title. He’ll be the underdog, but that’s nothing new to the affable Jamaican, it’s a role he’s used to and relishes the chance to shock the world again. He started his career brightly back in 1993 going an impressive 32-0(22) before he ran into a certain Bernard Hopkins and unsuccessfully challenged for Hopkins Middleweight title. After that setback he slipped into journeyman status going 7-8-1 before getting a shot at the Vacant IBF Light Heavyweight title in England against Clinton Woods. Though many believed he should of won it was declared a draw. He returned 3 months later to right the previous wrong and set up for a clash with Roy Jones Jnr. Many believed he was just cannon fodder against the unworldly talented Jones. However he shocked everyone by dominating Jones before knocking the great man out. He parlayed that win with a victory over Antonio Tarver to become The Ring magazine’s 2004 Fighter of the year. Since then he’s lost a few but only to the best whilst beating everyone else, he’s given young guns like Chad Dawson & Tavoris Cloud hell before losing decisions. When the 42 year old “Road Warrior” was offered the spot in the Super Six he jumped at it and see’s it as a new way to prove himself. Here’s what the humble Jamaican had to say.

Hello Glen, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – You have the semi finals of the Super Six coming up with Carl Froch on 4 June in Atlantic City. What are your thoughts on that fight?

Glen Johnson – You know obviously the fights going to be a tremendous fight; it’s going to be a great fight. Carl Froch is a real fighter and the world already knows I am a good fighter. So we’re going to give the fans their money’s worth.

Anson Wainwright – What do you think of Froch?

Glen Johnson – Well he’s a good fighter. He fought a couple of fights I saw him in. He fights on the inside and brawls. The last fight (against Arthur Abraham) he kept his distance used his jabs. He’s an excellent brawler and he’s also an excellent boxer, so we prepare for both things. He’s coming to fight a good fight and I’m going to be ready to fight back.

Anson Wainwright – How easily do you make 168? Before the Allen Green fight it had been 10 years since you were that low in weight.

Glen Johnson – The big challenge was making it for Allen Green but I already made that weight and I did it at short notice and it wasn’t difficult it was easier than I thought. With this fight I had plenty of notice. I’m already on my weight now a month from the fight.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us how the deal came about to enter the Super 6?

Glen Johnson – A couple of people got hurt. I believe (Mikkel) Kessler got hurt and they needed a replacement for Kessler & then Andre Dirrell got hurt and they needed a replacement for Dirrell so I believe I replaced Kessler because of the eye and then I needed to knock out Allen Green to make it into the Super Six semi finals just winning wasn’t going to be good enough and when Dirrell got hurt all I needed was just a win but I needed up knocking out Allen Green anyway. So even If I needed a knock out I’d of stayed in.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team; who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also where do you regularly train for fights?

Glen Johnson – My manager is Henry Foster, my trainer is Orlando Cuellar and my promoter is Warriors Promotions run by Leon Margules and also Di Bella Entertainment there partners on the promotional deal. I live in Miami and train in Miami, I don’t really go anywhere. I keep my training camp here in Miami.

Anson Wainwright – You’re now 42, what do you think are the main reason’s why you have been so successful at an advanced age for a Boxer?

Glen Johnson – I really don’t know, I could be the fact that clean living, genetics or it could be the fact that I work hard and that I take care of myself or it could be a combination of both but whatever it is I’m not questioning it. I’m not changing anything.

Anson Wainwright – How much longer do you think you can keep performing at the highest level?

Glen Johnson – You know hopefully we can find out I don’t make plans.

Anson Wainwright – Who do you think is the best fighter you have fought in your career?

Glen Johnson – The best fighter I fought was Bernard Hopkins. You know when I fought against Bernard Hopkins we were at two different levels. He was great and I didn’t feel like I knew what was going on, the guy was superior to my level at that time. Nobody has ever got in the ring with me that made me feel the way Bernard Hopkins made me feel, he just made me feel I couldn’t win. Nobody else ever made me feel like that when I’m in the fight. Bernard Hopkins let me know right off the bat from the first round that I had no chance of winning the fight.

Anson Wainwright – What is your best win in you opinion?

Glen Johnson – The Roy Jones fight that was the most popular. I would go with that fight but I would say the fight that meant most to me was the fight is Clinton Woods because that’s when I won my championship and that’s the fight that set up the Roy Jones fight was winning the fight, without winning the championship I’d not of boxed Roy Jones. Winning the IBF title meant the most to me but guess the most popular was the Roy Jones fight.

Anson Wainwright – Many years ago you were scheduled to fight Joe Calzaghe but for various reasons the fight never happened. Why was this from your point of view? What did you think of Calzaghe?

Glen Johnson – I just believe Joe Calzaghe was scared of me. I don’t see no other reason for the fight not to happen. We scheduled the fight 3 times and 3 times it didn’t happen and he had an excuse why the fight didn’t happen. What else is there to say. Maybe he could answer it different but that’s from my side.

Anson Wainwright – Tell us about growing up in Jamaica? How were things for your growing up there? Also how did you first become interested and take up Boxing?

Glen Johnson – Growing up in Jamaica was great for me. I enjoyed my childhood. I had a lot of fun as a kid. I had loving & caring people taking care of me, I had great friends and stuff around and I enjoyed their company. It was a great time for me. I love swimming and did a lot of that when I was on the Island. It was a typical childhood, I just grew up enjoying my surroundings. It was a wonderful time.

Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do when you’re not Boxing? What are your hobbies and Interests?

Glen Johnson – My hobbies…You know I don’t know if you can write what I like to do outside of Boxing as my hobbies! Haha But yeah spend time with my wife, lets put it like that! Haha

Anson Wainwright – Not to close to fight!

Glen Johnson – No, not at fight time. Outside of fight time it’s my favourite hobby!

Anson Wainwright – How did you start Boxing?

Glen Johnson – I started Boxing because I was overweight at age 20. I started to get overweight I had a lot of overweight people in my family and didn’t want to end up overweight so I started looking around for a gym to work out. They opened a gym in my community. If you lived in the area it was free and free fitted my budget so I went in and started working out, just exercising and the coach took a liking to me and started to teach me the technique of Boxing. He asked me if I wanted to star amateur Boxing and I said “Yeah” so we took if from there. 3 years later we turned pro.

Anson Wainwright – What are your thoughts on the other semi final of the Super Six? Presumably you’ll be following that Ward-Abraham?

Glen Johnson – Oh yeah definitely. I’ll certainly have Interest in that fight, I’m looking to fight the winner. I’m looking to win my fight so I’ll be looking to see who I’ll end fighting. I think it’s a good fight, people aren’t giving Abraham much of chance but I think it’s a tough fight for Ward because of Abraham’s style. I believe Abraham will get off a lot easier than he was with Froch. Froch stayed on the outside away from him, Ward’s not that type of guy. He’s faster, he moves his hands faster (Ward) but I give (Abraham) a chance, a lot of people don’t. I think it’ll be a good fight.

Anson Wainwright – Do you still consider yourself part of the Light Heavyweight division?

Glen Johnson – Not right now, I see myself as a Super Middleweight right now. I don’t think I’ll go back to the Light Heavyweight division there’s nothing in the Light Heavyweight division for me. One of the reason’s I was hanging around the Light Heavyweight division was hoping the guys from the Super Middleweight division would come up. But I came down so there’s no reason for me to. I already fought everyone at Light Heavyweight, there’s nobody else to fight. The Super Middleweight division has a lot of opportunities, a lot of great fighters are here. A lot of fighters I’ve never fought, It’s opened up a fresh chapter and great fights for the fans. I’m looking forward to the future in the weight class.

Anson Wainwright – After the Hopkins fight you lost several fights that many people believe you should of won. What are your thoughts on that?

Glen Johnson – You know for me even though the consensus is I was robbed and I didn’t get the decisions you know I didn’t let it take control of me. For me it was a motivating factor. Even though these fighters couldn’t beat me inside the ring, they had people outside the ring (the judges) beat me. They didn’t because they didn’t have the talent in the the ring to beat me. That was the thing for me it was a whole different factor. I kept my spirits up. Probably if I won that fight I probably wouldn’t of had that drive. It made me tough and more mentally prepared for the future.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans ahead of the Froch fight?

Glen Johnson – Of course, the message to my fans is their the greatest fans in the world. Most people want to jump on bandwagons of guys who are undefeated and obviously if you look around I’m far from that. So the fans that I have I cherish them. There real Boxing fans, they know what their looking at and seeing and I appreciate that. I get support around the world. So thanks for that.

Thanks for taking time out to speak to us Glen.

Thanks, I appreciate you taking time to Interview me.

Anson Wainwright

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former Light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson will make his first appearance since his first defeat when he takes on Adrian Diaconu on May 21st as part of a Light Heavyweight doubleheader that will be coupled with the anticipated rematch between Bernard Hopkins and JeanPascal that will most likely land in Quebec City and be televised on HBO.

“This is no walkover fight for Chad,” Said Dawson’s promoter Gary Shaw. “Diaconu is a tough fighter, a good fighter. But Chad is with a new trainer now in Emanuel Steward and I think that will make a big difference in Chad’s fight game and his strategy. I think you’ll see a whole new Chad, a guy that can finish off his opponent.”

Promoter Gary Shaw talks about the March 12 battle between Sergiy Dzinzurak and Sergio Martinez as well as Tim Bradley, Alfredo Angulo and Chad Dawson

It may be unfair to mention Billy Conn and Chad Dawson in the same sentence. But I just read Frank Deford’s masterful rendering of Conn in “The Boxer and the Blond,” and I can’t help make the comparison.

Conn was Light Heavyweight champion of the world. All that stood in the way of Conn being Heavyweight Champion was himself. The steel mill refugee fought Joe Louis, maybe the greatest heavyweight in the history of the sport (ask your father, or Bert Sugar), on June 18, 1941. A Pittsburgh native, Conn’s hometown baseball Pirates actually stopped their game in the middle so the crowd at the ballpark could listen to the fight. They had to. Otherwise no one would have come. Weights? Forget what promoter “Uncle” Mike Jacobs, the Bob Arum and-then-some of his time, reported to the Press. DeFord assures that Conn weighed in at 169, Louis 200. A later report from ESPN marked it as 169, 204.

Louis was more than a 3 to 1 favorite. But scheduled for 15, at the end of 12 rounds Conn had come to dominate the champion. Conn boxed, moved, slugged a little, and weathered a nasty cut. But after taking off the first few rounds to scout his opponent as he always did, Conn was up 7-5, 7-4-1, 6-6 on the judges’ cards. In the 12th round Conn hit Louis with a series of punches culminating with a left hook that rocked and staggered the champ and left him hanging on for dear life. In the corner, after the round, Louis’ long-time trainer let loose with the smelling salts and told the champ that he was losing—that he’d have to knock Conn out to win. According to Deford, the corner was only saying what everyone in America knew. Louis was beaten.

But Conn, emboldened by The Punch, went into the next round no longer satisfied with the prospect of a win. Amidst frantic protests from his corner, he told his trainer he wanted a knockout and then stood in the middle of the ring and slugged —until he didn’t. Conn failed to make the count at 2:58 of the 13th round.

Billy Conn and Joe Louis became very good friends afterwards, and Conn told Deford: “I told Joe later, why didn’t you just let me have the title for six months?’ All I ever wanted was to be able to go around the corner where the guys are loafing and say ‘Hey, I’m the heavyweight champeen of the world.’”

Louis replied: “’I let you have it for twelve rounds, and you couldn’t keep it. How could I let you have it for six months?’”

After the fight in the dressing room, Conn famously said, “What’s the sense of being Irish if you can’t be dumb?”

In the first century A.D., Julius Caesar is said to have remarked on an early encounter with Conn’s ancestors, whom he had seen knee deep in ocean attacking the waves with a sword like the fierce Irish Champion of lore, Cuchulain. “They fight just to fight,” Caesar said. Although it took England, Rome never did attempt to invade Ireland.

In a meaningless tune-up bout prior to the Louis fight, 27,000 fans showed up to watch Conn beat someone named Billy Knox in Pittsburgh. It was 1941, and the country was still in the midst of the Great Depression.

Unable to draw a crowd in his home state of Connecticut, Chad Dawson’s bout for the Light Heavyweight Championship was held in Montreal, Canada—the home town of his opponent, Jean Pascal. The doctor stopped the fight on an accidental head butt gash in the 11th round. It went to the cards and Dawson, cut bad, lost a unanimous decision. But he might have won. Having hurt a seemingly gassed Pascal, the fight that Dawson had squandered throughout the night was there for the taking. But he failed to punch; he failed to fight.

Unlike Billy Conn, who lived to 75 years old and died a legend—or even Joe Frazier, Mike Tyson or Tomasz Adamek, no one will ever accuse Chad Dawson of being Irish. Bad Chad’s primary objective throughout the bout remained just one side of the time honored equation: to not be hit. During the fight against Pascal, HBO commentator Larry Merchant asked with more than a trace of frustration and disgust: “Does Dawson ever just stand his ground and fight on the inside? Look at this.”
I’d just as soon not. No one can force another man to risk himself; but no one can force another man to buy a ticket either.

Boxing needs to Irish up.

Photo credit, Shizzy9989

Jean Pascal retained the WBC Light Heavyweight title and picked up the Ring Magazine championship with a back and forth technical decision over Chad Dawson at the Bell Center in Montreal.

Pascal took the early rounds as he used his speed or quickness that had Dawson befuddled over the first part of the bout. Dawson got in the fight in round nine as he rocked Pascal from a perfect right hook. Pascal steadied himself to take round ten. Knowing he was down on the cards, Dawson came out hurt Pascal on two separate occasions. First Pascal was hurt from a hard combination on the ropes and then from a perfect uppercut that froze Pascal.

Late in the eleventh, Pascal and Dawson banged heads that opened up a huge gash that dripped blood from the right eyelid of Dawson.

The fight was immediately stopped and the fight went to the cards.

Pascal won by scores of 108-101, 108-101 and 106-103 to raise his record to 26-1. Dawson of New Haven, CT suffers his first defeat and is now 29-1.