By Nick Bellafatto, Ringside
All night long the still undefeated Andre S.O.G Ward (26-0, 14 KO’s) of Oakland, California did what he has mainly done throughout his entire career whether amateur or pro, and that’s dominate opponents every which way. And tonight was no exception in front of his hometown fans at the Oracle Arena as he would stop his potentially most dangerous foe to date in New Haven, Connecticut’ reigning light heavyweight kingpin “Bad” Chad Dawson (31-2, 17 KO’s).
The end came at 2:45 of the tenth round as Dawson’ legs would go out from under him yet again after being administered a slicing left hook, culminating in a variety of further damaging shots that would force the challenger to take a knee. Upon beating the count, referee Steve Smoger would ask Dawson if he wanted the bout stopped, to which he replied in the affirmative, in effect bowing out himself. Stated Ward, “[in] these kind of fights Larry [Merchant], you gotta take risks, but like I tell everybody, finishing guys off is the last piece of the puzzle and we’re on our way to doing that.”
With Chad Dawson suffering three knockdowns in total, to include hitting the deck in rounds 3 and 4, these were only symptoms of a variety of things that seemingly went wrong for the visiting fighter. In effect, except for Chad being awarded the very first round on the scorecards in what could be looked at as a throwaway round, Andre Ward would figure out what worked in short time to win rounds 2 through 9, turning in no doubt his most impressive endeavor as a pro, with perhaps Chad Dawson having his least effective professional outing.
As a result, the defending champion’s latest performance may very well launch him a bit higher on boxing’ pound-for-pound list, especially pending the outcome between that of Sergio Martinez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. next weekend. In addition, and more importantly, the light heavyweight division was surely put on notice this past Saturday night that it should make way for Andre Ward, who, on a roll of epic proportions, is perhaps sooner rather than later venturing in that very direction.
And as to the numerous things alluded to that didn’t bode well for “Bad” Chad as the drama would unfold, not only did “S.O.G.” Ward repeatedly connect with a solid jab over the lengthier Dawson’ low right guard, to perhaps inflict the cut over Chad’ right eye, but a systematic chopping left hook set up with the right hand, the most damaging of combination punches, would also consistently find its mark. This is totally puzzling from the perspective that Dawson never made an adjustment to pick that particular blow off, or any other recurring blow for that matter, during any portion of the bout.
Furthermore, with the challenger giving up on his own jab, as much as Andre would equally take that punch away, Dawson in essence would all but discard his reach advantage. This would either relegate Chad to throwing counter shots, of which Ward would stuff time and again, or lead left hands, punches that would enable “S.O.G.” to be one step ahead in that he could see what was coming to simply maneuver out of harms way. All told, and with Chad’ partial complicity, these shortcomings would prevent Chad Dawson from getting off his combinations where he’s at his best.
To be sure, when I mention partial complicity on the part of Dawson, one of the knocks on “Bad” Chad coming in was that he wasn’t always consistent at staying busy with his hands, which was surely the case against Ward. To make matters worse for the New Haven, Connecticut resident, Andre would exercise thorough control at close quarters, whacking away effectively with a free hand time and again as a result of Chad’ inability to adequately clinch.
In defeat, a totally respectful Dawson would comment, “he’s a hell of a fighter. He’s a lot faster, a lot stronger than I thought, I couldn’t get off. He deserves to be where he’s at right now, he deserves to be on top.” And not only does Andre remain on top to retain his Ring Magazine as well as WBA and WBC super middleweight titles that were put up for grabs, but the victorious Ward would exit the ring relatively unmarked, save for a scratch on the nose, in the end imposing himself upon an opponent who was supposedly stronger, definitely lengthier, and perhaps the more battle tested fighter.
And not to take anything away from Andre’ stellar victory, but in all honesty, the various deficiencies exhibited by Dawson would contribute to his own demise, with the principal flaw being his failure to do what he does best, and that’s let his hands go. And whereas Ward is not so much noted for his power, perhaps what played a part in Chad getting dropped numerous times, was that he was quite possibly suffering the carry over effects of his reportedly getting knocked out in training by Edison Miranda. Although not confirmed by me, this supposed incident has been bantered about by credible persons.
On the other hand, Dawson it must be applauded, made no excuses, and neither should anyone else, so that in giving credit where it’s due, one simply cannot discount that Andre Ward would once more execute his game plan to perfection in that he stifled, and in fact prevented his opponent from doing that which was necessary to be successful, this at every turn I might add.
Indications of Ward’ utter dominance would not only be reflected on the scorecards in what amounted to a near shutout, but also in the punch stats where Dawson was out-thrown 418-187, and out-landed 155-29. That’s correct, 29 total punches landed throughout the course of ten rounds. But most importantly however, if reality confirms anything, it’s that Andre “S.O.G.” Ward would yet again make the most difficult of tasks look ordinary as he move closer to his goal of becoming the best he can absolutely be. I surmise that will be number 1 on the planet before too long. Congratulations champ.
Co-main event
If you went to the refrigerator during the co-main event between defending WBC lightweight champion Antonio DeMarco (28-2-1, 21 KO’s) of Tijuana, Mexico and the challenging John “The Gladiator” Molina Jr. (24-2, 19 KO’s) of Covina, California in what many thought could and would be the fight of the night, you no doubt missed it all.
The first solid left hand delivered by DeMarco landed square on the chin of Molina, sending him reeling into the ropes where Antonio let loose a non-stop barrage that would prompt referee Jack Reiss to step in between the two fighters to protect a defenseless Molina. The end came at :44 seconds of round 1.
Out on his feet, it apparently didn’t occur to “The Gladiator” to take a knee and perhaps regroup, as according to trainer Joe Goossen, “it’s hard to think when you’re in that position.” Appearing to be too relaxed if not unaware, John Molina Jr. simply got caught to let a golden opportunity go by the wayside.
So continues the Cinderella saga that is Antonio DeMarco, a man who once scrounged through garbage cans in an effort to come up with his next meal. “I’m a totally different man in the ring. When I hurt somebody I jump on them.” And just like that the next chapter is to be written, with the prospect of DeMarco taking on rising star Adrien Broner, something the Tijuana, Mexico resident welcomes with open arms.
Undercard bouts
In heavyweight action to open the event billed as “Ward vs. Dawson – World Champions – Made In America,” Homero Fonseca (9-6-3, 2 KO’s) of Peirsaw, Texas, built like Tony Galento and just as game, would plod forward over the course of seven complete rounds only to see the referee waive the bout off after Fonseca would run into repeated shots administered by Indianapolis, Indiana’ Franklin Lawrence. Lawrence would improve to 18-2-2 with 13 KO’s in this scheduled eight round affair.
2000 Silver Medalist Ricardo Williams Jr. (20-3, 10 KO’s) of Cincinnati, Ohio, who’s had his share of ups and downs in life, seemed to be on the upside against Los Angeles, California welterweight Anthony Lenk (14-2, 7 KO’s), so that Ricardo would be awarded a majority decision by scores of 58-56 twice, and 57-57 in an action packed bout. It would be a solid jab, lateral movement, and mainly excellent timing that would allow Williams to land the cleaner and more visibly appealing shots throughout on his opponent Lenk, who had quite a few moments of his own, but not enough of them.
In a mostly uneventful ten round heavyweight attraction between sporadic throwing undefeated Malik Scott (35-0, 11 KO’s) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and tentative Los Angeles, California native Bowie Tupou (22-2, 16 KO’s), Scott would do slightly more in each of the rounds so that he seemed on his way to a decision victory. Then out of nowhere a missed punch by Tupou would seemingly result in a hyper-extension or torn tendon, causing him to cease fighting. It was at this point that the ringside physician would be summoned, who upon examining Tupou would advise the referee to call a halt to the bout, in effect ending the rain of boo’s which cascaded from the stands throughout this lackluster bout. The time was :52 seconds of round 8.
Middleweights Tony Hirsch (13-5-2, 6 KO’s) of Oakland, California and Roberto Yong of nearby Sacramento (5-5-1, 4 KO’s) would mix it up in an action packed bout that would see Hirsch awarded the unanimous decision verdict by scores of 40-36 twice, and 39-37.
In last fight of the evening after the main event, Gilroy, California’ Randy Guerrero, brother of WBC interim welterweight champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, would make his pro debut at featherweight, taking on Juan Urbina of Santa Ana, California who would likewise make his initial foray into professional prizefighting. The end result after four rounds of letting constant leather fly in what was the busiest fight of the night, would see a majority draw, with the final tallies reading 39-37 for Guerrero, and 38-38 twice in what appeared to be a mostly even mano a mano brawl.
