Gary Shaw Boxing: WBC Sanctions Dawson vs. Johnson Rematch

The WBC has sanctioned the long-awaited and eagerly anticipated rematch between undefeated two-time light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson and former world champion Glen Johnson for its interim light heavyweight title today.

Promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, DiBella Entertainment and Seminole Warriors Boxing, Dawson vs. Johnson II will be broadcast live, Saturday, November 7, on HBO World Championship Boxing.

“Chad is thrilled that the WBC has sanctioned this fight as it gets him one step closer to regaining the first world title he ever won and even closer to unifying the titles which has always been the goal of both fighters,” said Shaw. “We are grateful to the WBC for seeing the value and the importance of the Dawson-Johnson rematch to the fans and to the division.”

The world title rematch pits Dawson, the light heavyweight division’s kingpin, defending his world championship belt against Johnson, the man who gave him the stiffest test and closest shave of his career. In their first battle, which took place in April 2008, the two squared off with Dawson’s WBC light heavyweight title on the line. Dawson came away with a hard-earned unanimous decision, but the entire boxing world was left clamoring for more from these world-class fighters.

Since their first rumble, Dawson has only raised his profile with two nationally televised victories over former undisputed champion Antonio Tarver. Johnson has also kept a high profile, stopping Aaron Norwood in four rounds, and then avenging a highly controversial draw with Daniel Judah by winning a clear-cut unanimous decision in February.

Dawson (28-0, 17 KOs), from New Haven, Conn., serving his second term as light heavyweight champion, successfully defended the IBF and IBO titles on May 9 in a rematch against former world champion Tarver, whom he dethroned last October.

Dawson won his first world title in 2007 with a dominating performance over undefeated defending WBC champion Tomasz Adamek. It remains Adamek’s sole professional loss. Dawson successfully defended the WBC title three times, including a close and very competitive victory over Johnson, before vacating that title to challenge Tarver.

Dawson, unable to get an exception from the IBF for his mandatory title defense, vacated his IBF title in order to make the Johnson rematch, which will also be for his IBO championship.

Johnson (49-12-2, 33 KOs), from Miami, FL by way of Clarendon, Jamaica, is one of boxing’s most popular fighters. He captured the world light heavyweight title in 2004 winning a brilliant unanimous decision over future world champion Clinton Woods.

His title reign included a knockout victory of Roy Jones, Jr. and a 12-round decision over Tarver, which earned him the “Fighter of the Year” honor from the Boxing Writers Association of America. Johnson has won seven of his last nine bouts, five by knockout, with the only blemishes coming from close world title decisions to Dawson and Woods.

He is currently world-rated in the Top-Five by the major sanctioning groups, including No. 3 in the WBC and the IBF and No. 4 in the WBO. The Dawson rematch will be Johnson’s ninth world title fight.