Woods v Tarver/Dawson v Johnson Light Heavyweight RBR double header

[donnydarkoIRL]

I voted Dawson and Woods, because thats what I want, but I'm a bit apprehensive in thinking I'll get the butter on both sides.

[superheavyrhun]

OK, first up we have the headline bout of the evening, in what is billed as an "Unification", between IBF Champion Clinton Woods, and IBO bauble holder Antonio Tarver. A fight between two veterans of the division, there is a promise of excitement from both fighters, but we'll have to wait and see.

Champion Clinton Woods (41-3-1, 24KOs) only began his boxing career at 24, and his admissions that boxing saved him from becoming just another lager lout and street brawler is indeed filmworthy stuff. However, when it comes to boxing he's also mixed in some very good company. Having stood up through six hard rounds against a peak Roy Jones Jr, and his trilogy with Glen Johnson, Woods has paid his dues and a promise of a fight with Calzaghe if he gets past Tarver is a big attraction too. However, as a fighter, Woods is a boxer who will work until his arms drop off, and has plenty of desire, and for once appears to be going into a fight injury-free. He will be the away fighter, but has every incentive to win this one.

Antonio Tarver (26-4, 19KOs) is the big-name fighter in this match, despite being the challenger for the 'real' title on the line in this bout, Tarver also has a boxing pedigree which would have been enviable in 2004, but has since faded a little with a lacklustre display losing to Bernard Hopkins and then two reasonable performance against fighters who really shouldn't be in the ring against someone who claims to be the best light heavyweight in the world. However, Tarver has dismissed claims that he is shot, and the history of knockouts from his southpaw stance and big left hand cannot be discounted, and if he goes all out for the win, then it could be a cracking fight.


And with both fighters having been on the canvas before, there could be fireworks, knockdowns and KOs.

[Jimanuel Boogustus]

Yeah i get the feeling Woods will keep a steady beating on Tarver.
Dawon im not so sure about? Johnson is kinda cute and he could be they guy to open Dawson up.... But i'll go with age over youth in both cases.

[Fenster]

I can see Clinton getted robbed here.. and Johnson will be robbed even if he clearly loses 12 rounds to nil. Fact.

[Kev]

I can see Clinton getted robbed here.. and Johnson will be robbed even if he clearly loses 12 rounds to nil. Fact.

[superheavyrhun]

Ok, so the second half of this RBR comes with the young buck of the four light heavies on show, Chad Dawson, and the most experienced of them all, Glen Johnson.

For champion "Bad" Chad Dawson (25-0, 17KOs), this will be without doubt the biggest challenge of his career, in his third defence of the WBC belt he won in February last year beating Tomasz Adamek. Dawson would seem to have all the physical attributes in this matchup, being taller, younger and quicker than Johnson at first look. However, Dawson was down in the Adamek fight, and that vulnerability could well be exploited if Johnson can find a way past the boxing offence of Dawson.

Glen "Road Warrior" Johnson (47-11-2, 32KOs) has been around the block more times than Dawson's had hot dinners, and there is no doubt that Johnson will be thinking that his vast experience of high level and high pressure fights will allow him to beat the younger Dawson. His clever boxing and hard dig have given him creditable wins over Clinton Woods, Roy Jones Jr and Antonio Tarver among others, and Dawson will underestimate Johnson at his peril. In order to win, Johnson needs to fight at his pace, but also get inside quickly when he's attacking, to negate the height and reach advantage held by Dawson. Although in my heart I'd like a Johnson win, the head does give the edge to youth in this one.

[BoomBoom]

These 4 are the best in the division and all for different reasons. I think Chad will overcome Johnson in a tough fight winning a UD. Tarver will probably beat Woods in a close fight. A draw wouldnt surprise me either. In truth, Dawson is the future of the division. He has a questionable chin but I think he has tremendous speed and boxing ability. I dont see anyone winning a decision off him right now and if he gets past Glen he will have proved himself as the best in the division.

[eclectic]

I think Dawson's chin is UNDERrated. He got some flash knockdowns, but I'm not sure if he's ever been hurt and even if he has he's gotten up to win everytime (so far) but I think it willl be a good fight that he'll be dominating by the late rounds.