| |
|
CUTMAN RAFAEL GARCIA SAVES THE DAY FOR CHAD DAWSON
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 29 Apr 2012
Rafael Garcia.
Young Chad ?Bad? Dawson finally got a win over the aging Bernard Hopkins the old fashion way. He took the fight to Hopkins and in the end he won the fight, albeit barely (according to one judge Luis Rivera).
Dawson was cut by an accidental head butt in round 4, a cut that can easily measure about two inches.
But he had the old reliable, Rafael Garcia in his corner. Garcia took care of the cut by properly applying pressure and adrenalin between rounds topped by a good measure of Vaseline. Thus, the cut became a no-factor in the very close fight.
Hopkins that showed up on the ring tonight is far from the Hopkins of old. He no longer has the fluid movements that helped made him one of the premier fighters in our time. His age shows so glaringly between rounds. He is huffing and puffing, a sure sign that father time has caught up with him.
Hopkins also relied too often with clinching to tie up Dawson and derail his offense. That made the fight somewhat boring but made the referee Eddie Cotton earn his pay.
Dawson started showing his dominance from the early middle rounds. In fact he appears to have won rounds 5 to 9 consecutively. And, from round 10, Hopkins? only chance to win the fight was via a knockout.
Dawson, young as he is knew that he was ahead by the time round 11 came around. Thus he played a defensive game and survived the fight Hopkins? frustrations begun to show in round 11. During a heated exchange at ring center, he tackled Dawson and both of them landed on the canvas.
Round 12 was uneventful. When the bell rang, both fighters raised their hands in victory. But Dawson was the only one that walked away with the belt.
For a moment however as announcer Joe Martinez was reading the score cards I thought the fight is at Texas. One judge, Luis Rivera scored the fight even. (114-114) The two others both gave it to Dawson, 117-111.
Dawson?s victory possibly validated his win at the fight in LA that was declared a ?no-contest.? It also speed up Hopkins? induction to the HOF.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Panya Pradabsri, Carlos Cañizales Make Weight for WBC 108 World Title Rematch in Venezuela
By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 01 Aug 2025“NOWHERE TO RUN” OSCAR “LA MIGRAÑA” DUARTE VS. KENNETH “BOSSMAN” SIMS FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
, Fri, 01 Aug 2025Pabular to make 1st title defense on Aug. 12
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 01 Aug 2025Tacurong excited to play in Buhangin slugfest
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 01 Aug 2025Kenneth “Lover Boy” Llover vs Former Champ Luis “Nica” Concepcion August 17 in Manila!
By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 31 Jul 2025Xiao Time: Where History Pulls No Punches
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Thu, 31 Jul 2025Vargas Speaks After Retaining WBA Bantamweight Title in Gritty Battle with Daigo Higa in Japan
, Thu, 31 Jul 2025The “ATV” Plan is set for Undefeated Bay State Junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez
, Thu, 31 Jul 2025Youth High Performance Team Captain Salim Ellis-Bey Takes the World Stage With One Goal in Mind
, Thu, 31 Jul 2025Trainer Tommy Brooks Passes Away at 71
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 31 Jul 2025Kyosuke Takami Stops Erick Rosa in 10, Becomes “The New” WBA 108 World Champion
By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 31 Jul 2025Immanuwel Aleem Smashes His Way To WBC FECARBOX Light Heavyweight Title and Inaugural DMV Belt With Spectacular 9th Round Stoppage Of Rival Demond Nicholson On Jeter Promotions Card
, Thu, 31 Jul 2025NP Bansalan will see action in Buhangin on Aug. 9
By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 30 Jul 2025USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Begins Competition at 2025 Brandenburg Cup
, Wed, 30 Jul 2025Antonio Vargas Makes Weight, Set to Carry the USA Flag into World Title Showdown Against Daigo Higa in Japan
, Wed, 30 Jul 2025“The Homecoming” to be Headlined by Phenom Marco “El Tiburón” Romero Sept. 6 in Olathe, Kansas
, Wed, 30 Jul 2025Split-T Management Fighters Complete Perfect Weekend
, Wed, 30 Jul 2025Golden Boy Signs Top Mexican Light Heavyweight Prospect Yair “Manotas” Gallardo to Co-Promotional Deal with Miguel Cotto Promotions
, Wed, 30 Jul 20252-Time World Champion Shawn Porter Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
, Wed, 30 Jul 2025EVAN HOLYFIELD SET TO CONTINUE HIS COMEBACK THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, AT CHRISTY MARTIN’S “MAYHEM IN MUSIC CITY 2”
, Tue, 29 Jul 2025The Boss Punches In: Joscelyn Olayo-Munoz Prepares for USA Boxing International Debut
, Tue, 29 Jul 2025Boxing Icon Don Elbaum Passes Away at 97
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 29 Jul 2025FIGHT OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE: Andy Dominguez Defeats Byron Rojas by Split Decision To Win WBC USA Silver Light Flyweight Title on Atlantic City
, Mon, 28 Jul 2025ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI KNOCKS OUT ALBEIRO PAREDES IN SECOND ROUND OF MAIN EVENT OF FISTS OF FURY 7 AT SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO HOLLYWOOD
, Mon, 28 Jul 2025Hawaiian Punch: Lorenzo Patricio Closes Out Youth International Career
, Mon, 28 Jul 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
