Dawson vacates,Cloud vs Woods for the title

HBO backing is worth more to a young fighter than any belt or any promoter.

Compare the talents of Jermain Taylor, Kelly Pavlik and Chad Dawson, and then look who has made big money and who hasn't. The difference between them is HBO backing, and nothing else.

Dawson's problem is that he is favored to beat all these old fighters, and unfortunately they happen to be guys who are very difficult to look good against and nearly impossible to knock out. It's been tough sledding for him.

Also, there is no "other than Diaconu" at 175. In America, Diaconu is a ****ing nobody. Showtime wasn't even going to broadcast Dawson/Diaconu after the purse bid, and fighting off American TV obviously is not an option.

I want Chad to shut up his critics by beating Johnson clearly and then move down to 168 or maybe 170. I'd sort of like to see him fight the winner of Taylor/Miranda, a crossroads fight for both in which the winner would become a viable challenger to Chad.

 

Showtime should definitely pick up Cloud vs Woods. I mean.. we have seen far worse insignificant fights on Showtime. This is a title fight between an undefeated rising star and a former multiple-belt champion. Showtime does a really good job showcasing prospects and up-and-comers... and they'd really drop the ball if they don't show this one.

 

I think that would be a good fight for an undercard, but not a main event unless they made it a ShoBox Special Edition. Woods' last outing on American TV was a disaster, and Cloud has no repute.

 

I really don't see Woods winning this one to be honest

 

No. I'm glad Dawson took the rematch but.... Dawson is a better fight in terms of two youg fighters with 'contrasting styles' as they say.

 

You'd think so, but boxing politics is a funny thing. If he's not a mandatory (of course he should be, but when did ABC rankings make sense?), will people put their belts on the line against him? It'll basically be a question of taking a fight you stand a decent chance of losing and getting on HBO (presumably) or ducking and keepin your belt.

I'm not sure that belt holders will necessarily go the Dawson route. The question is if ABC's rank him appropriately and you never know what they're going to do.

 

Some people here seem to forgot that Dawson Vs Johnson is now for the vacated ring belt in which is the ibo title. That belt is to be the number one best fighter at the light heavyweight division. So Dawson didn't lose a whole lot when he vacated the ibf title. Hbo did the right thing of wanting Dawson vs Johnson rematch. Dawson actually didn't need to fight Johnson again. I bet Hbo would approve Dawson vs Kessler or Andrade at 168 pounds but Dawson wanted to settle the score with Johnson once and for all. Most people here was saying Dawson was scared to fight Johnson again. Well look what Dawson is doing now.

 

Don't forget that he is also "ducking" Diaconu according to some.

 

None of those fighters are helpless to go find other promoters when their contracts are up. If fighters start to vote with their feet, the promoters start to make better fights for them. See Frank Warren and Gary Shaw for a couple of examples.

 

the ibo title dawson still has but my thing is isnt johnson next in line for the wbc title shot after branco? so if dawson wins again what will he become? i think dawson will have several options after this fight of couse move down in weight or reclaim a title at lhw.

 

yea i was just questioning that as i remember he will be fighting pascal. what is he? mandatory or voluntary just wondering?or is it for the title?

 

Fair enough. IF Woods is willing to fight on a Friday night, I think it could be a potentially good Shobox the next generation Main Event. Woods vs Cloud with a semi decent undercard bout.