Chad Dawson Fighter Profile, Bio and Career Record (31-1, 17 KOs)
At the age of 30, Chad Dawson is an eleven year pro, and one of boxing’s most talented fighters in the game. Dawson is the current WBC Light Heavyweight Champion and widely regarded as the top Light Heavyweight in the sport today. He is a southpaw fighter who is naturally right handed. Dawson possesses great hand speed, a complete offensive arsenal and slick boxing skills. Known by the nickname “Bad,” Chad Dawson has been punishing his foes in the ring and is looking to continue his Light Heavyweight reign.
Recent Chad Dawson News
Profile updated & amended by Matt Andrzejewski in August 2012
The rise of Chad Dawson
Bad Chad made his professional debut after finishing 58-13 in his amateur career. Dawson won a stunning 19 national championships, and then finished for the silver medal in the world championships of 2001. In 2004 Chad Dawson was suspended when he failed a post fight drug test for an illegal substance. This setback ended Dawson’s streak of 14 consecutive wins when the bout with Aundalen Sloan resulted in a no-contest. Chad Dawson later said that this was one of the motivating factors in his rise towards a world championship.
In June of 2006 Chad Dawson defeated former title challenger and southpaw Eric Harding. After suffering a flash knockdown in the first round, Dawson bounced back and dominated the fight. Dawson scored the unanimous victory, and captured a regional crown. At the tender age of 24, Chad Dawson went on to face undefeated Tomasz Adamek in February of 2007. The judges scored the bout a unanimous decision victory in favor of Dawson who as a result became the WBC Light Heavyweight Champion of the world. Adamek has since become the undisputed cruiserweight champion, making the win all the more impressive.
Chad Dawson went on to defend his title for the first time against Jesus Ruiz winning by technical knockout in the sixth round. In September of 2007, Bad Chad defeated Epifanio Mendoza by fourth round TKO in his second title defense. Dawson then earned a close and somewhat controversial unanimous decision over the tough fighter Glen Johnson.
Bad Chad’s big break
Dawson went on to relinquish the WBC title belt to face IBF Light Heavyweight champion and former Roy Jones conqueror Antonio Tarver. Dawson controlled the pace and landed the cleaner and more accurate shots. Chad continued to wear down Tarver as the fight progressed and scored a knockdown against Tarver in the 12 round. Tarver looked a step and a half behind Dawson for the entire evening. Bad Chad earned an easy and wide unanimous decision, and captured the IBF title in the process.
In May of 2009 the rematch between Tarver-Dawson ended in the same fashion as their first fight. Dawson controlled the fight with his dominating hand speed, and out worked the ex-champ scoring another unanimous decision. The fight was closer than the first encounter, but the win was never in question.
1st Career Loss
On August 14, 2010, Dawson traveled to Montreal to face Jean Pascal. Pascal fought successfully in spurts and seemed to land the cleaner more effective punches throughout the night. In round 11, an accidental head butt caused a bad cut over Dawson’s left eye. The fight was stopped due to the cut and when the cards were read Pascal was awarded with a technical decision victory. It was a very disappointing performance and outcome for Dawson, and a major setback to his career momentum.
Bernard Hopkins Bouts
After an easy decision victory of the tough veteran Adrian Diaconu, Dawson landed a fight against the legendary Bernard Hopkins. Hopkins came into the fight as the WBC Light Heavyweight Champion after defeating the man who beat Dawson, Jean Pascal.
The bout was more or less a chess match as the 2nd round neared an end. The fighters got tangled up late in the round, and Dawson then picked Hopkins up in an apparent attempt move the fighter off him and ended up throwing Hopkins to the canvas. Hopkins injured his left shoulder on the fall and the referee, Pat Russell, stopped the contest due to the injury Hopkins had suffered. The bout was initially ruled a TKO victory for Dawson but later overturned to a no-contest by the California State Athletic Commission.
The rematch with Hopkins would take place on April 28th, 2012 in Atlantic City. This time there was no controversy and the busier Dawson outworked Hopkins for a clear cut twelve round decision victory.
Future for Chad Dawson
Dawson has agreed to move down to Super Middleweight and face division kingpin Andre Ward on September 8th, 2012. This is a very interesting bout pinning the best in the Light Heavyweight division against the best in the Super Middleweight division. The winner of the bout really establishes themselves as one of the sport’s elites.
The move to Super Middleweight also expands Dawson’s options for the future. Regardless of whether or not he beats Ward there will be many opportunities for intriguing bouts down the line at both Super Middleweight and Light Heavyweight for Chad Dawson.
