Connect with us

Articles of 2008

Bad Chad Dawson Too Much For Antonio Tarver

Published

on

LAS VEGAS-Bad Chad Dawson had been flying under the radar for years, but beating Antonio Tarver for the IBF and IBO light heavyweight title in convincing fashion has some people calling him one of the best prizefighters in the world after winning by unanimous decision on Saturday.

“He is one of the best fighters pound for pound,” said Floyd Mayweather Jr. who was in attendance.

Dawson unleashed his impressive arsenal before more than 3,000 people at the Pearl at the Palms Casino and proved relinquishing his WBC title to prove his talent was the right move to advance his career before a national audience.

“I told you I could do it,” said Dawson (27-0, 17 KOs) who is normally a very reserved person. “This is a happy moment to be able to bring the title back to New Haven.”

The lanky fighter out of New Haven, Conn. was brilliant in winning by unanimous decision 118-109, 117-110 twice.

“Out-pointing him and outworking him one round at a time was our philosophy,” said Dawson who remains undefeated and now a primetime match for any of the marquee fighters.

Dawson allowed Tarver (27-5, 19 KOs) to shoot the jab for the first 30 seconds, and then he took over with body shots and speedy combinations in the first round. That proved to be the template for the rest of the light heavyweight fight.

The speed of Dawson had Tarver waiting for something to happen. Body shots and triple hooks won the second round for the former WBC titleholder.

Tarver stole the third round with aggressiveness in the latter part of the stanza. But it was close.

Realizing he had the speed advantage Dawson seemed eager to unload four and five punch combinations from rounds four through five.

After firing so many blows and withering combinations, Dawson opted to relax a little in the sixth round. It was Tarver’s best round and still he was never able to hurt or bother Dawson.

In the seventh round Dawson returned to the blistering combinations that kept Tarver in a defensive cocoon. It was an overwhelming round for Dawson and showed that he could turn it on whenever he pleased. Tarver had a subtle look of despair but he plodded forward.

“He came with a busy game plan, he threw a lot more punches than I did. I felt my defense wasn’t what I think it should be,” said Tarver, 37. “But I was not busted up. I caught a lot of punches on my arms.”

Tarver, obviously aware he was behind on points, decided to look for the big blow to even the score in one swift moment. That moment never came.

“I didn’t use my left hand as much as I wanted to,” said Tarver. “I tried to gut it out and score a knockout, but it didn’t come.”

Dawson’s legs and hand speed offset any of Tarver’s attempts to corner the younger fighter and score the knockout. Instead, it was Tarver who hit the deck after a right hook and left hand from the younger fighter in the final round.

Tarver claimed it was a slip, but after the fight was over he admitted defeat.

“I’m not apologizing for anything,” said Tarver. “I respect the guy. There is no disrespect.”

The new champion was gracious too.

“Tarver has a lot more than I thought he would,” said Dawson who was seldom in danger. “I was the younger guy, I had a better work rate. I’m the champion now.”

Other bouts

Former Olympian Ricardo Williams (13-2, 7 KOs) scored a unanimous decision over crafty veteran Dario Esalas (31-15, 25 KOs) after eight rounds. It was Williams’s third fight since returning from a two-year jail stint in Ohio. The judges scored it 80-71 and 79-72 twice.

Williams looked sharp at times, but was bothered by the return shots to the body by heavy-hitting Esalas.

Lancaster’s Chris Avalos (7-0, 5 KOs) used his height advantage to keep Colorado’s gutsy Ernie Marquez (7-5, 3 KOs) from using his inside fighting skills in a six round bantamweight bout. There were no knockdowns in the fight and the judges scored it a majority decision in favor of Avalos 57-57, 59-55 twice.

Albuquerque’s Archie Marquez (4-0, 4 KOs) knocked out St. Paul’s Samuel Morales (3-1) with a right to the body in the fourth and final round at 2:14. Morales didn’t beat the count and suffered his first loss. Marquez remains undefeated.

Anthony Dirrell (13-0, 11 KOs), who missed two years due to cancer, returned to the ring and was dropped with a one-two combination in the first round. After taking a six-count, Dirrell got up and out-boxed Canada’s Andy Mavros (6-2, 2 KOs) in a four round super middleweight bout. The judges scored it 39-37 for Dirrell.

England’s Said Harrak (3-0) scored a first round knockout over Wisconsin’s Alex Stringer (0-3-1) at 2:18 of the first round of a welterweight contest.

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles1 week ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 week ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles1 week ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Paro
Featured Articles6 days ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles5 days ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles3 days ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles4 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

Mexico's-Francisco-Rodriguez-Jr-is-the-TSS-Fighter-of-the-Month-for-June
Featured Articles16 hours ago

Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez Jr is the TSS Fighter of the Month for June

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles3 days ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles3 days ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles4 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles5 days ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles6 days ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 week ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles1 week ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles1 week ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending