Andre Ward vs. Chad Dawson: Fools gold or The real jewellery?

Discussion in 'British Boxing Forum' started by slip&counter, Jul 18, 2012.


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  1. slip&counter

    slip&counter Gimme some X's and O's Full Member

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    I'm probabily the only one who's amped for this fight, lol. As regulars will know (what's left of them). This has always been a bit of a dream fight for me. A pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and i've been waiting for it for a couple of years. But is it fools gold or the actual stuff? Will this fight live up to my expectations?

    I have been an avid admirer of both these fighters (more Ward than Dawson), and the thought of them pitting their wits against each other really gets the juices flowing. Two young, primed, supremely SKILLED fighters facing off. Does it get any better?

    I'm reminded of McGirt/Whitaker, McCallum/Toney. This fight has that air about it. I'm i off base? is this fight the diamond in the rough that i think it is, or like pyrite a cheap imitation?

    I look forward to pondering over this fight in the coming weeks. Getting my blood pressure up at the thought of Andre Ward trying to hip crush on the inside and Not so bad Chad's attempts at staging left, staging right and mis-direction.

    What say you, fellas? Is it fools gold or the real deal and how do you see it playing out?
     
    slip&counter, Jul 18, 2012
    slip&counter, Jul 18, 2012
    #1
  2. ero-sennin

    ero-sennin Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Couldn't think of anything worse TBH, slip. Ugly, dirty, and cagey fight. I do understand where you are coming from though. Obviously being such a student of the game, and a fan of the technical side of the sport it's a dream match up for you, and I can see the appeal. Different strokes for different folks. I guess I just prefer a good old tear up. Would rather watch two fat, domestic level heavyweights with **** poor technique trade hayemakers with each other.
     
    ero-sennin, Jul 18, 2012
    ero-sennin, Jul 18, 2012
    #2
  3. thewinfella

    thewinfella The Golden Boy Full Member

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    I can't get used to the idea of Dawson coming down to 68 , i was gobsmacked when i heard that !! , and i still am , i really want Dawson to beat Ward , probably as much as much as i wanted Hatton to beat Pacquiao , because of this !!!

    Plus i like Dawson , terrific fighter , technically a joy to watch
     
    thewinfella, Jul 18, 2012
    thewinfella, Jul 18, 2012
    #3
  4. The Genius

    The Genius Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Everyone is excited for this fight. It's a corker!
     
    The Genius, Jul 18, 2012
    The Genius, Jul 18, 2012
    #4
  5. ero-sennin

    ero-sennin Boxing Addict Full Member

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    There goes my credibility on all things boxing. Will probably never be taken seriously on this site again :rofl
     
    ero-sennin, Jul 18, 2012
    ero-sennin, Jul 18, 2012
    #5
  6. thewinfella

    thewinfella The Golden Boy Full Member

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    Like you said horses for courses

    For someone who likes to watch Hopkins Calzaghe time and time again (myself) , I'm drooling at this one :deal
     
    thewinfella, Jul 18, 2012
    thewinfella, Jul 18, 2012
    #6
  7. SouthpawSlayer

    SouthpawSlayer Im coming for you Full Member

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    cannot ****en wait for this fight, wont be a foty but its a big challenge for ward imo

    i like dawson(always had since i met him), technically its gonna be a great one to watch two slick black guys from the states going at it, props to ward for taking a tough challenge and dawson never ducked anyone

    just because its not 2 guys who like a tear up its still a classic in terms of skill
     
    SouthpawSlayer, Jul 18, 2012
    SouthpawSlayer, Jul 18, 2012
    #7
  8. slip&counter

    slip&counter Gimme some X's and O's Full Member

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    Fair enough, Ero. I don't mind a brawl either, btw. I know watching this fight will be like running through treacle with flippers for some people, but i actually think it'll be more engaging then we might think. Ward HAS to be favourite, maybe even big favourite with his better flexibilty/versatility and Chad's mental block, which can resurface at anytime. Not to mention the weight and the fact that Ward will be on home turf. But don't be surprised if it's a bit of a humdinger, technically of course.

    Nonsense. That doesn't make you any less a boxing fan, my man.
     
    slip&counter, Jul 18, 2012
    slip&counter, Jul 18, 2012
    #8
  9. SkillspayBills

    SkillspayBills Mandanda Running E-Pen Full Member

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    Now for Dawson he might think he's going to be a beast at 168 but on other hand we've got the worry about draining, not being sharp etc.

    Fighters like Dawson can get by not being sharp against lesser fighters, but miss a step with Ward and you then hand the initiative over to him. Dawson has to start well in this one, really take Ward out of his element. It's got the makings of a special match up, it won't be a tear up but i don't want it to be.

    Dawson has become in his last 3 fights and towards end of his fight with Pascal a more aggressive fighter. Seems to be stalking his prey, and even his mentality has changed a little. Talking with more intent and more nastiness. Compare that to the Dawson under Eddie who would drop his arse down, sit tight and counter brilliantly against his more aggressive foes. I'm intrigued to see how Scully gets Chad to operate in this one, The one good thing is he's light on his feet and has the ability to step out, and step back in without to much hassle unlike the likes of Green and Froch who couldn't do anything offensively.

    We were on the bandwagon Slip :lol:, He let us down but i do like Chad. I can't call a winner without looking into detail, this fight doesn't deserve rash predictions.

    Edit: But this fight kinda looses it's luster with Chad making all the ground to meet Ward, i know he spoke big but i'd prefer if it was at 171 catchweight. Ward is a cerebral assassin.
     
    SkillspayBills, Jul 18, 2012
    SkillspayBills, Jul 18, 2012
    #9
  10. thewinfella

    thewinfella The Golden Boy Full Member

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    Dawson hasn't weighed 168 lb's since 2006

    He has been as high as 191 (Johnson 2) on the night , more recently he was 184 (Hopkins 2)

    I just don't like the fact Dawson had to come down , historically a fighter goes up not the other way around , theres a reason for that
     
    thewinfella, Jul 18, 2012
    thewinfella, Jul 18, 2012
    #10
  11. SouthpawSlayer

    SouthpawSlayer Im coming for you Full Member

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    im gonna hold my hand up and admit that i had presumed ward was moving up to challenge dawson, i didnt know dawson was moving down kind of makes the fight not so great in my eyes, chad is gonna struggle id say
     
    SouthpawSlayer, Jul 18, 2012
    SouthpawSlayer, Jul 18, 2012
    #11
  12. TheUzi

    TheUzi MISSION INCOMPLETE Full Member

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    A real intriguing chess match
     
    TheUzi, Jul 18, 2012
    TheUzi, Jul 18, 2012
    #12
  13. Primadonna Kool

    Primadonna Kool Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Shame Ward forced Dawson down to 168, he gets little credit from me.

    Dawson will still beat him at 80%.
     
    Primadonna Kool, Jul 18, 2012
    Primadonna Kool, Jul 18, 2012
    #13
  14. slip&counter

    slip&counter Gimme some X's and O's Full Member

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    It's ganna be interesting, Mand. The weight has to be a factor. Chad is a big dude, very cut at light heavyweight and it wasn't that long ago that he was talking of moving up. I believe he just said what he said in the post fight interview, calling Ward out and saying he would go down without thinking, we know he's not the sharpest tool in the shed. He showed his hand and has pretty much been forced to concede everything to Ward. Because he's so desperate for big, career defining fights after fighting all those geriatrics.

    My first instinct is of course to pick Ward. It's very hard to go against this kid. He's so complete, technically and mentally. My feeling is Chad has too much of a monotonous style to beat Ward. He's not instinctive enough in his approach and he sometimes thinks too much.

    Ward will try and take away Chad's right hook. So he must work his left hand into play. Which isn't as good, imo. But it might be his best weapon to try and catch Ward on the inside with. Pretty much the only flaw, if we can call it that, is he can sometimes fall in.

    But Ward is MUCH the smarter fighter aswell. Dawson, if things are not going his way can go into a shell and get lost, whilst Ward will adjust. Chad really needs to be creative in all areas of his game in this fight. I agree The Iceman has had a positive impact. He's known him for years, trained him as a kid and there seems to be a real connection. Something that Chad has never had with any trainer. He can be a tough guy to get through too. Sometimes a mental midget, if that's not being too harsh on him. Scully understands him.

    On thing i've never liked about Chad is his tendency to go straight back from lead punches, especially the right hand. I expected Hopkins to catch with more than he did, but Chad seemed to cope with it ok. Although how much of that had to do with Hopkins age remains to be seen.

    Chad for all skill and talent finds it hard to avoid 'ambush' punches from the outside. Like how Pascal did him. Remember also that Adamek dropped him with exactly this type of punch. Lead shot and Chad just goes back or stays in a straight line and gets caught consistantly. Glen Johnson caught him with similar punches for this reason, so did Diacanu even. We all know how well Ward fights on the inside, but i've got a hunch that he might do more on the outside in this fight. He's so versatile it's scary.

    Looks like i'm counting Dawson out, lol. But you just know with his physical talent, southpaw jab and if he keeps up a high workrate, that alone is ganna win him rounds.
     
    slip&counter, Jul 18, 2012
    slip&counter, Jul 18, 2012
    #14
  15. thewinfella

    thewinfella The Golden Boy Full Member

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    To a certain degree this can be true

    Going back to your post , i know the particulars , i know that Dawson volunteered to go to 168 as the negotiations began , but physics are physics , he's not a SMW , if he was , he wouldn't be a 3 time world champion @175 , he would of always been a SMW , Dawson has outgrown the weight once already , he's only going down to a) suit Ward and b) absolutely make sure the fight happens

    Its like Shane Mosley telling Manny Pacquiao he'll go to 140 , and I've no doubt that he meant every word and would of made 140

    I get a hunch that Dawson will struggle to make 168 thats all I'm saying
     
    thewinfella, Jul 18, 2012
    thewinfella, Jul 18, 2012
    #15
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