Where will you rank Dawson P4P if he beats Ward and vice versa.

[Webbiano]

Title pretty much says it all. Now this will obviously depends on where you have them before the fight (I have Ward at 6 and Dawson at 9). I'll be assuming that the win will be a close decision either way, anyone that is suggesting that it will be an easy decision for one of the other is being incredibly naive.

If Dawson wins:

Dawson climbs up to number 5, overtaking Donaire, Wlad and Ward himself. Having to come down in weight class makes this win that much better as well. Although Donaire has a solid resume, his bet win can't compete with Ward, whilst coming down in weight. Vic was a great win, but a pretty long time ago and Dawson did just take down Hopkins, who although old was still a top 10 p4p fighter.

Ward drops down to about 10, with the likes of Bradley. Good enough to dominate their weight class, but when facing someone outside of it, just not
quite good enough to get the win (I treat the Pac Bradley fight as a close win for Pac)

If Ward wins:

Ward goes up 1/2 places above Donaire for sure, maybe over Martinez. This would be another huge win and would have beaten the best above his weight. The reason why I find it hard to put him above Martinez is because Dawson is coming down in weight rather than Ward going up.

Dawson drops to about 15 joined with someone like Salido. Good enough to beat everyone apart from the top dog around his weights (Gamboa for Salido) however if Chad was to lose I could see him re-enter with a few good wins at 175.

[Vic-JofreBRASIL]

Still too early to talk about this IMO....but I would say Ward could be seriously considered in the same group as Joe Calzaghe (unpopular opinion?)...

[Boxed Ears]

Originally Posted by Vic-JofreBRASIL

Still too early to talk about this IMO....but I would say Ward could be seriously considered in the same group as Joe Calzaghe (unpopular opinion?)...

I'd have to say, based on my observation that after each of his wins, he's being pushed by many on the boards as already securing a better legacy than Calzaghe, it's probably not a wholly unpopular opinion. I wouldn't have him there yet, but he's been gaining on him rather quickly, in my estimation. I wouldn't have him too far away, so long as it would be A. a clear win and B. Dawson didn't look comprised at the weight, which I really don't believe he will be, based on things I've gone over a great deal on ESB already.

[Quick Cash]

I have Dawson slightly ahead of Ward as things are. Unseating the elder statesman of boxing should weigh heavily in his favor as Hopkins was, without a doubt, near the very top of the heap when Chad beat him.

They both face induction into the elite class with a win against the other. I peg a jump to about the fifth, over Klitschko, depending on the performance. As for the loser, I don't necessarily see a steep fall; none of the stragglers which comprise the bottom portion of the top 20 are any better than them. Viloria could potentially overtake whoever comes off the lesser if he brings it against Marquez like he's expected to, but no one else comes close after him.

[the cobra]

I think Ward's the 3rd best fighter in the world as is, and I feel pretty confident about that. If he beats Dawson I'd struggle to find a reason to place the likes of Martinez or Donaire above him. I'm assuming this thread was intended for the General, but as it's in the Classic now, I'll say that I'm firmly in the group that expects Ward to turn out great. He's a brilliant fighter and already has some damn good wins and accomplishments under his belt at just 28. I think he'll eclipse Calzaghe soon enough, Dawson might be all he needs.

If Chad wins (and he's certainly got a shot if he's prepared and focused as best as possible), than he cracks the top 5 P4P today. Difficult to predict how his career will play out. Very talented and some nice skills, but I'm still not sold on him mentally. If he does get the win it's a very big year for him.

[Boxed Ears]

Originally Posted by Quick Cash

I have Dawson slightly ahead of Ward as things are. Unseating the elder statesman of boxing should weigh heavily in his favor as Hopkins was, without a doubt, near the very top of the heap when Chad beat him.

They both face induction into the elite class with a win against the other. I peg a jump to about the fifth, over Klitschko, depending on the performance. As for the loser, I don't necessarily see a steep fall; none of the stragglers which comprise the bottom portion of the top 20 are any better than them. Viloria could potentially overtake whoever comes off the lesser if he brings it against Marquez like he's expected to, but no one else comes close after him.

Yeah, about that...

Originally Posted by the cobra

I think Ward's the 3rd best fighter in the world as is, and I feel pretty confident about that. If he beats Dawson I'd struggle to find a reason to place the likes of Martinez or Donaire above him. I'm assuming this thread was intended for the General, but as it's in the Classic now, I'll say that I'm firmly in the group that expects Ward to turn out great. He's a brilliant fighter and already has some damn good wins and accomplishments under his belt at just 28. I think he'll eclipse Calzaghe soon enough, Dawson might be all he needs.

If Chad wins (and he's certainly got a shot if he's prepared and focused as best as possible), than he cracks the top 5 P4P today. Difficult to predict how his career will play out. Very talented and some nice skills, but I'm still not sold on him mentally. If he does get the win it's a very big year for him.

Everything I think he clearly lacks mentally, I think Ward has it all at a high level, and has proven it.

[Quick Cash]

Originally Posted by Boxed Ears

Yeah, about that...

I agree. The fact that Hopkins is as old as dust tempers the accomplishment somewhat. It remains, however, the single, greatest win between them.

I'm not proclaiming Hopkins as something he's not, but he does take precedence over the likes of Froch, Kessler, and Abraham. Does that trump the lot of them combined? Well, you're welcome to vehemently disagree, of course. I just happen to regard fights between true, top-flight, pound-for-pound talents as rare. Hopkins-Dawon II, in my opinion, was at a higher level to Ward-Froch in that respect.

[Flea Man]

Ward won't go up as he's fighting a corpse. Dawson is low workrate at the best of times. Terrible idea to come down a further 7lbs IMO.

[Webbiano]

Originally Posted by the cobra

I think Ward's the 3rd best fighter in the world as is, and I feel pretty confident about that. If he beats Dawson I'd struggle to find a reason to place the likes of Martinez or Donaire above him. I'm assuming this thread was intended for the General, but as it's in the Classic now, I'll say that I'm firmly in the group that expects Ward to turn out great. He's a brilliant fighter and already has some damn good wins and accomplishments under his belt at just 28. I think he'll eclipse Calzaghe soon enough, Dawson might be all he needs.

If Chad wins (and he's certainly got a shot if he's prepared and focused as best as possible), than he cracks the top 5 P4P today. Difficult to predict how his career will play out. Very talented and some nice skills, but I'm still not sold on him mentally. If he does get the win it's a very big year for him.

You assumed correct

[Boxed Ears]

Originally Posted by Quick Cash

I agree. The fact that Hopkins is as old as dust tempers the accomplishment somewhat. It remains, however, the single, greatest win between them.

I'm not proclaiming Hopkins as something he's not, but he does take precedence over the likes of Froch, Kessler, and Abraham. Does that trump the lot of them combined? Well, you're welcome to vehemently disagree, of course. I just happen to regard fights between true, top-flight, pound-for-pound talents as rare. Hopkins-Dawon II, in my opinion, was at a higher level to Ward-Froch in that respect.

Well, 48, yes, but 48+coming off an injury+looking softer than he's ever looked in his career, for me, makes him not the relevant opponent that Kessler or Froch were. So, I really don't rate it above them, honestly. Plus, in retrospect, where's Hopkins now? Will he be relevant again?

Because Kessler went right back to being champion after losing to Ward and so did Froch. I didn't really see a high level from Hopkins in the second fight. I saw an old man trying largely the same not-so-sneaky-anymore-pot-shot right/back jump that got him dumped on his shoulder/arse causing the end of the first fight, except unlike the first, he wasn't looking strong or sharp or like he had much left in the legs. I suppose you could just say Dawson made him look like that, but, eh.