Dawson-Woods?

[Autobarn]

Chad Dawson took Antonio Tarver's IBF title last night, and did some nice boxing. We previously saw Dawson below par, edging Glen "Boy Who Cried Wolf" Johnson, successfully defending his old WBC crown.

Woods was beaten soundly by Tarver to lose the IBF belt. I wonder, he's a former champ, and always seemed to get favours by the IBF. If he wins the EBU title, does anyone think he should challenge Dawson?

Dawson is a southpaw, and is young and fast. Sounds like bad news? But he's more careleless defensively than Tarver. Squares his shoulders up and is open to a right hand. Woods is a strong bloke. Maybe he sees an opening?

Does Woods want to redeem himself after that non performance v Tarver? Should he do it vs Tarver's conqueror, Dawson? is this calculated gamble worth it?

Now, I know, it doesn't "make sense" for Dawson. Dawson, being young and able and not a big name, is excluded from the old man's pension club (Joe Girlslappy, Roy Jones, Hopkins). Realistically, Dawson's big fight is to wait for Tavoris Cloud (who stopped Julio Gonzalez), in a match between young Americans that Showtime will want. But Showtime have let Dawson fight stiffs before, much lesser men than Woods. Surely a defence vs Woods is realistic - even if the US public couldn't give a shit about such a fight, if Clinton can become mandatory?

[jomothepure]

As timescales go, I'm sure the IBF will want Dawson/Cloud next. But as you say, Clinton won't be far away from the next mando if he takes the EBU. Most likely an official eliminator after that - against Glen once again probably, or plausibly against Brahmer or Ulrich if the Germans fancy it, and double that up as an EBU defence.

In the meantime, Dawson would have time for an optional or two. Not sure I see unifications happening soon though.

Back to Woods meanwhile, there is also the possibility of a fight with Francis, which may be given short shrift rankings-wise, but would be one I'd like to see

[Autobarn]

Woods-Francis would be great. Clinton did say he'd never go back to British level (and there's less for Francis to win now that Clinton lost the title).

I wonder if the IBF might ask for something like Woods-Cloud. Then that would be a hard road - beat the young Cloud just to get to Dawson. That would be well out of reach for Woods.

But if he is rated highly enough, you never know. Would he fancy it, I wonder? Dawon was sharp and fast last night. Gutsy bloke is Woods, a good overachiever, but does he have the positive outlook for this kind of thing? Or does he want that title back, badly? (IBF have Woods in at #4).

[CheckHook]

Woods has still got enough left to work his way back into contention for another title shot but I can't imagine Dawson being interested in defending against Woods. I like Clinton, but this is not a fight that interests me and I rekon it will appeal to Dawson even less. Of course if Woods can work his way back to mandatory challenger then it might happen but It'd be another poor showing from Woods who would fail to cope with the hand speed of Dawson.

[stujones]

Dawson is way too quick for Woods.

[Max Molyneux]

Woods would have to keep going forward and go for shattering Dawson's glass jaw. Johnson went forward and gave him nightmares In a close fight.

Wood's Is too humble to Americans and loses to them If they KO a shot legend though.

[steve689]

Dawson-Cloud would be interesting but I think Dawson will go for Pavlik next (providing he beats Hopkins, which I think he will). As for Woods-Dawson, well, based on the Woods that fought Tarver I would say Dawson TKO6. The speed would be way, way too much.

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

Sorry but Dawson shouldnt be wasting time with Woods, there are bigger fights for him to make good use of his prime with

[Autobarn]

Yeah but Woods is what, #4 in the IBF. He keeps winning and he's in line for a shot. Of course, Dawson wants the likes of Calzaghe & Jones, but Dawson presents too much risk, too little gain, etc. If Clinton really wants it, a shot is realistic.

I like Dawson's current mandatory, Tavoris Cloud. That is a tough one, a fight that will get an audience on Showtime. But there will also have to be the middling fights (and he's fought two easy opponents on Showtime before) unless Dawson is going to vacate another title.

[stujones]

Dawson didn't mind losing the WBC belt to fight one of the best in Tarver (some considered him back as a result of his performance against a dire Woods). If Woods becomes mandatory, Dawson will vacate - simple as.

[Autobarn]

Not quite that simple.

Dawson vacated because Diaconu's promoter won purse bids to stage the fight in Romania, and Chad stood to earn very small money.

Also, significantly, Tarver was holding the IBF belt (I think Dawson vacated the WBC after Tarver won the IBF), and Showtime had been trying to make Tarver-Dawson awhile. And obviously, the fight was worth a lot more. There was no choice really.

I can see Dawson vacating the IBF if it means fighting for the Ring mag/lineal belt, for big money, for the #1 spot. But I don't see Chad getting hold of the Calzaghe-Jones winner. And there is also the HBO/Showtime split. (I don't know if Dawson is contracted to them, but he's a regular). Dawson seems like a fighter who needs a belt - he basically traded in one for another, knowing that Tarver (IBF champ) was on the cards anyway.

Dawson would be a bit of a joke if he vacated a title every time a mandatory came along.