On Saturday, October 4th, “Bad” Chad Dawson (32-3, 18 KO’s) makes along-awaited return to his home state for the first time in five years. Dawson fights on the undercard of the Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy (20-0-0-1NC, 12KO’s) vs. Fernando Saucedo (52-5-3, 8KO’s) fight.
The event will air live on SHOWTIME beginning at 9 pm ET/PT from the Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino, in Mashantucket, Conn.
“It means a lot to me to be back fighting in front of my hometown fans, to be back on the East coast and not in enemy territory,” said Dawson. “I’m looking forward to putting on a great performance in front of my fans, friends and family in attendance.”
He’ll be facing the always-game former world title challenger Tommy Karpency (23-4-1, 14 KO’s), from Adah, PA, in a 10-round light heavyweight contest. Since losing to Nathan Cleverly for the WBO title and Andrzej Fonfara for the IBO belt, both in 2012, Karpency has won two straight. In January of this year, Karpency avenged a previous defeat by unanimously outpointing Rayco Saunders, and then picked up the NABA light heavyweight strap with a victory over Dhafir Smith in July.
“I’ve watched my opponent, Tommy Karpency, and I know he’s a hungry guy,” assessed Dawson. “He won’t be in there just for a paycheck, but I am prepared for whatever he brings.”
In search of his third world title, Dawson, of New Haven, will step foot inside a Connecticut ring for the first time since 2009. Upon turning pro in 2001, eight of Dawson’s first 15 fights were staged at Foxwoods, a venue in which he is undefeated, making him a local fan favorite.
“I started my career at Foxwoods, my old stomping grounds,” reminisced Dawson. “It’s hard to believe that it’s almost been a decade since I last fought at that venue. I’m excited to be fighting there again and I’m sure it will bring back a lot of memories.”
After handing Tomasz Adamek his first loss in 2007 to pick up the WBC light heavyweight title, the southpaw Dawson swiftly cleaned out the division, twice defeating both former champions Glen Johnson and Antonio Tarver. Following a loss to Jean Pascal in Canada, Dawson regrouped to secure the biggest victory of his career, regaining the WBC belt with a 12-round decision over future Hall-of-Famer Bernard Hopkins in April 2012.
Suffering subsequent back-to-back losses in 2012 and 2013, Dawson is once again on the comeback trail. On June 21, 2014, Dawson annihilated the formidable George Blades inside one round. A straight left to the body dropped Blades and a follow-up barrage put him down again for good.
“I’ve been training in Louisiana for this fight. Against Blades, I came in a bit heavy, but I’ve been working with my strength and conditioning coach and I will make 175 pounds without a problem. I’m strong and I’ve got that hunger back.”
Now rated #11 by the WBO and #14 by the WBC, Dawson is determined to secure an impressive victory on October 4th in front of his hometown fans, as he climbs back toward another championship opportunity.
“I’m now making my comeback. After this fight, should everything work out as planned, I will be putting myself into position to fight for a world title by next year. I want to end my career on a strong note.”
