Chad Dawson to drop down to 168lbs

[jangeorg]

I'd love to Bad Chad get involved down at 168 but I its hard to imagine him losing those lbs. Maybe a fight at a catchweight later in the year with someone like Kessler would be more realistic. But that would mean two of my favourite current fighters squaring off, which is not too cool

Last year Dawson called out Kessler for a fight at 175 lbs. When offered the fight at a catchweight he turned Kessler down
He challenged Kessler but refused to move down. Now he says he'll fight at 168. That's a duck by any standard

[AGM]

I'd love to Bad Chad get involved down at 168 but I its hard to imagine him losing those lbs. Maybe a fight at a catchweight later in the year with someone like Kessler would be more realistic. But that would mean two of my favourite current fighters squaring off, which is not too cool

Last year Dawson called out Kessler for a fight at 175 lbs. When offered the fight at a catchweight he turned Kessler down
He challenged Kessler but refused to move down. Now he says he'll fight at 168. That's a duck by any standard

Yep it does seem a little strange. I'm not sure I'd call it a duck but it certainly suggests this 'Dawson to 168' story is not legit.

[CutMeMick]

A bit confused here on how I feel about this.

A part feels it's a stupid idea.
Why the hell would you drop in weight?
People should come after you. Your the established fighter with a network behind you.

I mean you can fight Hopkins or RJJ Jr. and get paid at LHW.

I do think there is more top quality opponents at SMW but they should move up to BCD, he shouldn't have to sacrafice weight.


The other part of me thinks back on BCD's career and when I 1st saw him he was a Middleweight and he was establishing himself as such, then suddenly he just made the jump from Middle to LHW from having fought twice as a SMW. A part of me thinks the weight wont be a problem I guess he's willing to do that just to get in the mix at SMW.

[Kev]

A bit confused here on how I feel about this.

A part feels it's a stupid idea.
Why the hell would you drop in weight?
People should come after you. Your the established fighter with a network behind you.

I mean you can fight Hopkins or RJJ Jr. and get paid at LHW.

I do think there is more top quality opponents at SMW but they should move up to BCD, he shouldn't have to sacrafice weight.


The other part of me thinks back on BCD's career and when I 1st saw him he was a Middleweight and he was establishing himself as such, then suddenly he just made the jump from Middle to LHW from having fought twice as a SMW. A part of me thinks the weight wont be a problem I guess he's willing to do that just to get in the mix at SMW.

Obviously not completely sure about this not being an American but according to Steve Bunce our fat colourful analyst Dawson has very little box office appeal in the states compared to the big names like Jones, Hopkins, Pavlik, Taylor, and probably now Paul Williams etc.

I've always had the impression that he's an exceptional talent but couldn't sell out a hometown arena yet alone tempt any big superstar names to get in the ring with him.

I'm sure Calzaghe would have fought him had their been a potential windfall in it for him, even Bernard Hopkins was overlooking him preferring to face the Pole Thomas Adamek if he was to carry on fighting.

If Dawson wants to move down to 168 its because of exposure. There are so many huge names in and around that weight class whilst at light heavyweight there is simply nobody of note.

He's got the Tarver rematch to get out of the way but then what? Roy Jones can make more money fighting a shot Jeff Lacy which pretty much sums up Dawsons commercial appeal, there's not enough money to tempt Hopkins so who can he fight?

Diaconu is hardly box office, he's already fought Glen Johnson and lets face it it doesnt say a lot for a division if the best opponent is a 40 year old + veteran who you have already beaten once.

If he could get down safely then absolutely 168 is the division to be. There are so many great fighters and great matchups that could happen and he'll struggle to tempt them up to his weight class because they can all make much more money fighting each other at 168.

Why would Kessler and the like move up to face Dawson at 175 when they can make more money (probably a lot more money) fighting in their own weight class.

Dawson has talent, real talent but he doesn't sell tickets or PPV's so his bartering power is limited.

[Spicoli]

At first I thought the Tarver fight a step in reverse and leaning towards this being another,but possibly very necessary.The only reason I can think is marketability and big fight sake.Money trumps many other motivators but he needs to pay the effects on his body just as much attention,your not making a dime if you come in drained and unimpressive.Lt Hvy is thinning out and Dawson needs a known dance partner....Hopkins talking retirement,Jones is strictly a name grasping at great memories at this point,sorry man....but thats how it is,Tarver not viable If/when Dawson repeats the win,Johnson rematch ??.....Hey,Adamek rematch in the other direction might be blazing,same weight questions?First things first,focus on Tarver,ugh.Dawson has, Imo absolutely zero to gain in that one,and everything to loose.

[Kirkland Laing]

It's down to money. There are a lot more options at 168 than there are at 175. You've got Froch, Bute, Kessler, Abraham eventually. Lots of attractive fights. Dawson needs fights like that so he can show how good he is and become an attraction, become a moneymaker in his own right. If he can make 168 without it taking anything away from him he'll be an animal at the weight.

[Drago]

It's down to money. There are a lot more options at 168 than there are at 175. You've got Froch, Bute, Kessler, Abraham eventually. Lots of attractive fights. Dawson needs fights like that so he can show how good he is and become an attraction, become a moneymaker in his own right. If he can make 168 without it taking anything away from him he'll be an animal at the weight.

you beat me to it

[JazMerkin]

I have major doubts that this story is true because of this sentence

"But for me to get Bernard, I've got to beat Dawson again"

I doubt Dawson is battleworn enough to believe he's fighting himself

I think some of the guys at SMW will end up having to shift up over the next year or so anyway so no need for him to drain to get to them, unless it's a catchweight.

[Drago]

if he can make 168 without any probs then get down there & get some bigger fights i say