By Paul Padua
This Saturday, Andre “SOG” Ward puts his WBC/WBA/Ring super middleweight titles and his undefeated record on the line against WBC/Ring light heavyweight champion, “Bad”Chad Dawson. Odds matter where predictions are made. In this case, Chad Dawson (31-1, 17 KO’s) will challenge the man in the smaller weight class for his crown. This match was made between two elite fighters at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California which is Ward’s hometown.
This high profile match-up is a tough call for fight fans. It is a first time in a long while that Chad Dawson would come in at 168 pounds. Dawson has weighed in at around 173 pounds for mostly all his fights, which is considered normal for him. Factor in Andre Ward at 168 pounds (25-0, 13 KO’s) with very fast hands, strong defense as well as the pressure to perform past home town expectations.
We have not seen too many fighters come down in weight for a match. Styles always make fights and Andre Ward has shown that he is very capable and willing to go the distance, but he also adapts to his opponents style while avoiding their punches. Dawson’s trainer John Scully believes that his fighter made the fight happened and would have so at any cost’s, up to reasonable concessions just to give the fight fans what they want to see, a fight that is well deserving of their time. He is assured that his fighter going down in weight will not be an issue at all.
With all the elements of a strong fighter, Dawson conceded weight and venue, but the sheer determination of Ward alone to fight him to the bitter end, is what he craves. This night for sure is a fight between whose techniques are far superior over the other. The fight is under hyped but it is getting the kind of attention it so deserves. It will be an all out war between two elite level fighters who fight anyone, anytime and anywhere. A real fight at true odds, that is, two fighters giving everything they have, putting everything on the line and taking everything at all cost without reservations.
With that said, fight fans have so far only witnessed professionalism and respect between the two camps. No trash talks and bad media making this match well worth the time and anticipation. This is a plus to the fans who have been disappointed with rumors of conspiracy theories between fighters and promoters which has sadly plagued the sport.
