Not at all a done deal, but Steve Kim mentioned it quickly in a column. He said "If" the deal could be completed, which as we know with Tarver, can hardly be taken for granted. Clearly, though, there wouldn't be time for a fight against Diaconu and Tarver, so this is an either/or situation for Dawson. Thoughts?
Dawson is tight with Diaconu as mandatory, if he choose Tarver instead and be stripped from WBC title then it will be copy off Tarver-Johnson and bring the whole division do dark ages again. Lets leave Dawson-Diaconu and set up Tarver-Erdei ... Erdei mentioned Tarver recently as possible opponent.
I just want to see the situation resolved one way or the other soon. Tarver makes more sense in the bigger picture for Dawson, and with a win he'd still have a belt. On the other hand, he has been made a very solid offer to fight Diaconu in Romania. It's certainly being taken very seriously by Gankor. I'm not sure why the division would be sent back to the dark ages, though. Dawson could go Tarver and then Diaconu/Johnson for the unified title, or he could go Diaconu and then likely Tarver afterward. Unless Antonio keeps his belt hostage and fights more stiffs, which he may do.
If Diaconu was just some C level scrub you think Dawson would hesitate to fight him? Of course not, he wouldn't hesitate to fight him.
Why would Johnson be invoilved with Diaconu in the unfied title fight, Johnson lost recently all he could, its not 2004 anymore. We already have fringe Ring champion in Calzaghe, and fringe lineal champion in Erdei, if Tarver and Dawson start unify the belts it will be a case for a real man in the division. If they will be stripped from belts for not fighting mandatories again (Diaconu) we will have another virtualy "poor man" champion in the division. What division needs is to unify the belts and get rid off multiple virtual titles. This require both Erdei and Calzaghe to be involved in ABC title unifications. The best option would be Tarver-Erdei, and Dawson-Diaconu and these winners fight eachother or Calzaghe.
Johnson has fought evenly with two of the beltholders and right now is just as worthy a contender as Diaconu, based strictly on merit. Erdei doesn't count. Until he makes a move and fights a live body, it isn't worth discussing him. Calzaghe is looking to feast on old men and guys coming up in class. He's not really concerned with the picture at 175, either. For that reason, the only serious contenders for the "true" title right now are Dawson, Tarver, Johnson and Diaconu. Woods is finished. Hopkins is finished, or will be soon. Same with Calzaghe and Erdei. As long as Dawson fights one of the other three next, and then hopefully another of the three at the end of the year or early 2009, we'll have real progress. Of course, Kessler or someone else from the loaded 168 division may move up, but that's OK. The key is to kick out the confusion and have someone win out from the four fighters mentioned above -- and hopefully Dawson or Diaconu, because they are younger.
I believe you are wrong, there is no such thing like "true" title ... without a real title in the pocket. The one you think of is the "people champion" but I guarantee you that Dawson stripped from the belt (for not fighting Diaconu) will not have enough votes. No matter how you can argue, Erdei and Clazaghe may lose their titles only in the ring or going to retirement. In your arguments, you are saying that Johnson is still worthy contender because he lost to Woods and Dawson in close fights, but you are also saying that Woods is gone because he lost to Tarver ... shouldnt this just work against Johnson? ... Johnson is right now nothing more as a gatekeeper.
It's all subjective, so your opinion and mine may be different yet valid. I do not consider the belts to be especially "real." Just one more way to looking at the best guys in a division. As for Johnson, he fought evenly with Dawson, while Woods looked horrible against a faded Tarver. Until Glen tapers off, he deserves his props.
IF Dawson can soundly beat Dianconu, I'd make him a big favorite over Tarver. Dawson is faster than the Magic Man.
You right its all subjective, Tarver was looking horrible against Hopkins who lost to Calzaghe so you have case that Calzaghe is real deal. Now Johnson lost to Woods who was horrible against Tarver, the same Traver who lost to Hopkins two years ago ... so where this leave Johnson and Dawson who is ducking Diaconu? As long as the top dogs are not fighting eachother we will have always a case for one or another to be a real champion ... Tarver, Erdei, Dawson, Calzaghe .... maybe Diaconu? All I want is to decrease number of possible options, step by step lets the guys with title fight eachother so the fringe contenders will be exposed.
