In a time when matchups between boxing?s best are either not happening (See Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr.) or falling through (see Lamont Peterson-Amir Khan II), it is heartening to see one that is on the verge of being signed and sealed. Super Six and super-middleweight champion Andre Ward and light-heavyweight king Chad Dawson are in negotiations to meet in the ring on September 8. Ward?s titles would be at stake, as Dawson would be coming down in poundage. At the same time, since both fighters would be seven pounds under the light-heavy limit of 175, if Ward wins he could ? if he wanted to ? add Dawson?s belt to his trophy case.
According to a report in a Connecticut newspaper, the New Haven Register, the main sticking point is venue, with Dawson?s camp wanting the bout to take place in Atlantic City, and Ward preferring to fight in his hometown of Oakland, California. Both locations make sense. Even though Ward and Dawson are the best fighters in their respective weight divisions, neither of them possesses sufficient drawing power to pack an arena in Las Vegas, or break pay-per-view records.
That?s too bad, because these are two super-talented fighters who are in their prime. Ward is in the upper half of the pound-for-pound Top 10, and Dawson is in the lower half. In his most recent outing, Ward won the Super Six tournament with a decision over Carl Froch. Dawson recently scored a convincing points win over the Old Master, Bernard Hopkins. Ward is undefeated; Dawson has lost only once.
Ward-Dawson is a blockbuster matchup. But it probably won?t do blockbuster business. The reason is that neither fighter is a crowd-pleaser in terms of style. They are consummate craftsmen rather than smash-mouth sluggers. And neither fighter has compelling appeal in terms of charisma or personality, even though Dawson refers to himself as ?Bad Chad,? and Ward?s nickname is ?Son of God.?
Thankfully, this bout will not be fought at some artificial ?catchweight.? Although, come to think of it, aren?t all weight limits ?artificial?? What law of nature dictates that a middleweight has to weigh 160 pounds, or a lightweight 135?
Dawson appears to be taking the greater risk, as he is dropping down a weight class. The last time he fought at 168 pounds was on February 4, 2006, when he shut out iron-chinned Nova Scotian Jason Naugler over eight rounds. Then again, the old warhorse Glen Johnson was successful in his drop from light-heavy to super-middle. So there?s an excellent chance that Dawson will be able to retain his effectiveness at the lower weight.
Will that effectiveness be enough to handle Ward, though? Dawson?s defeat of Hopkins was clear-cut, but it was not easy. Ward is a younger, faster version of Hopkins, the main difference being that Hopkins has a lot more experience. Then again, Ward is hardly a novice ? at least by today?s standards. Neither, for that matter, is Dawson.
So, there we have it: two exceptionally skilled young pugilists at their peak who are willing to go at each other on the heels of the biggest wins of their careers. A fight fan can?t ask for more than that. Ward and Dawson may not produce the fight of the year, but their encounter will be worth watching because of their old-school skills.
Here?s hoping this match is made.
