Next Logical Opponent for Chad Dawson
Considering that the rematch with Tarver did horrible ticket sale numbers(Insider Notebook: Hopkins vs. Haye? Schaefer Fires Back - Boxing News), he isn't going to lure Calzaghe out of retirement and Hopkins won't consider the risk worth taking.
At 175, he has few options. The other champions are busy or not willing to see any real action. Clearly, Zsolt is too much of a bitch to fight him. Adrian Diaconu in Montreal is a possibility if he gets by Jean Pascal in June. I know they had plans to fight once before and actually, that fight would be interesting. Glen Johnson rematch?
A drop to 168 may be the most lucrative option. At 168, he could fight Jermain Taylor or Allan Green at the MGM in Hartford. From what I gather, because of promotional issues, Mikkel Kessler won't be fighting anyone relevant for another six months to a year. It wouldn't be a good matchup for Carl Froch and I doubt he'd risk his newly found fame on a Chad Dawson fight. Bute is already on course for a tune-up with Joey Spina and a rematch with Andrade.
Any other ideas?
Re: Next Logical Opponent for Chad Dawson
This sounds like the kind of problem Calzaghe was running into a few years ago.
If Dawson is looking for a keep-busy fight with a bit of edge to it and whether he would travel or not, maybe a fight with Jurgen Braehmer if he comes through his Euro title defence this weekend.
Braehmer's been around for a while, clearly not in Dawson's class, but maybe Universum would be willing to give Dawson a payday and a holiday in Europe. Any idea what's happened to Hugo Garay, maybe an unification so Dawson can edge towards holding all four belts?
Re: Next Logical Opponent for Chad Dawson
If Brahmer successfully defends his Euro title he'll likely be Erdei's next opponent.
I'd like to see a rematch with Glen Johnson.
Re: Next Logical Opponent for Chad Dawson
Unification would be the best bet if he can't get down to 168. I get the impression Hopkins is gonna retire & is just picking his moment, no way he's scared of Dawson, would do it if it was worth it. If Dawson has got HBO with him, he can take the risk of going to Europe against some of these guys. The German cards have got a bit better in recent times. Either Diaconu or Pascal are his, as is Garay. Try and give Erdei no other alternative than to fight.
Re: Next Logical Opponent for Chad Dawson
Re: Next Logical Opponent for Chad Dawson
They were talking about 168 before the Tarver fight, they'll probably do it now unless losing the weight would leave him struggling even more over the twelve round distance.
Re: Next Logical Opponent for Chad Dawson
I personally would like to see a Johnson rematch because I think Johnson deserves it. I thought Johnson won with a bit to spare in terms of points and you could tell which team thought they were the winners of the fight after the bell rang. I dont see it happening though, Dawson knows how dangerous it is and not for a big payday or much recognition overall.
He should drop down in weight and fight Froch id like to see that. Hes a bit like a slightly bigger Jermain Taylor, so itd be interesting to see if Froch could stop him or not. The fight may well pan out in a very similar fashion.
Re: Next Logical Opponent for Chad Dawson
A rematch with johnson imo is about as worthless as another rematch with tarver, glen johnson will do the same thing he did last time. Loose another decision and bitch about it afterward. Every close fight doesn't automatically mean it needs a rematch. So much is made of dawsons flaws and lack of excitment and what not so fine let him fight the other scrubs in the division and get all the silly ass belts or move to another division. Right now dawson is being blamed cause the only comp he has is either scared or has no chance beating him. And then there's glen johnson basically the only guy who will fight anyone but i for one have no interest in seeing that fight again.
Re: Next Logical Opponent for Chad Dawson
I take it you didn't like the first Dawson-Johnson fight? I enjoyed it. Plus if Dawson comes out on top, it has the benefit of quieting the pundits who thought Johnson won that fight.
Re: Next Logical Opponent for Chad Dawson
I personally would like to see the Johnson rematch. I felt Johnson won , also hurting Dawson a few times during the fight.
Re: Next Logical Opponent for Chad Dawson
Not in any order: Kessler, Johnson, and Diaconu are the fights I'd like to see Dawson in.
Will Chad Dawson Do The Right Thing Now?
Re: Next Logical Opponent for Chad Dawson
Glen Johnson is the most logical fight at loght heavy but I don't think Dawson fancies it at all. At best he'd be in an unexciting win again and it'd be a close fight (I thought Johnson won the first fight.) So I think he'll go to 168 if there's a title fight for him and he can handle the weight loss.
Re: Next Logical Opponent for Chad Dawson
The Diaconu-Pascal winner is the fight that makes most sense to me. Unification is the best thing he can do, and financially and in terms of difficulty of negotiation with the other two champions, I see this fight being the easiest to make. I imagine Diaconu will pull out a decision against Pascal.
The Alternative is maybe Roy Jones Jr. While a faded force, it is a big name for the record.
There is nothing to gain in a Johnson rematch for me. Dawson has the win on his record, and I think the risk-reward ratio will steer him in another direction.
Re: Next Logical Opponent for Chad Dawson
I would like to see him fight Dirrell, RJJ, Hopkins, or Kessler. Any one of them and I would be satisfied. I am already satisfied, but I would like to see how he matches up.
Re: Next Logical Opponent for Chad Dawson
No such thing as no one to fight, plenty of quality opp from 168-200lbs for him