I'm not going to mention the knockouts because people will just say he was drained. :roll: But Ward was able to take away Dawson's jab. I mean wow. I'm a huge Ward fan but damn. The man... is legit. Period. Thoughts?
Super impressive performance from Ward. He's the truth. Yes, Chad Dawson was weight drained, but I don't think the outcome would have been any different at 175. Chad probably absorbs the shots better at 75 and makes it to the final bell, and maybe never even tastes the canvas, but tactically he was outgunned, outmatched, and outclassed. He was reluctant to use his best weapon, which you mentioned - the jab! Without that he was reduced to an indecisive target who had no clue what to do. Ward SHOULD have made the jump to 175 so he could get full credit for the outstanding win! His critics will always point the fact that Dawson was weight drained, and there is a point to be made there. But at the end of the day, Ward is better than Chad, plain and simple, no question about it. He would have dominated Chad at 168, 170, 175, or 190! It wouldn't have mattered. Chad had no answers to Ward's movement and elusiveness.
Agreed 100% with Rumsfeld. Ward is just a level above Dawson, and the weight just made it an utter beating rather than a 1 sided decision. Even with the weight I thought this would be a close fight.
If Dawson was unable to take a shot, he'd be physically affected in other ways too, meaning it'd be much easier for him to be outboxed. The first sign of a weight drained fighter is not their chin deteriorating but them looking sluggish and tired from the first bell.
Despite Dawson being weight drained Ward was spot on his ring IQ is on another level and if Dawsons pulls the weight drain excuse I hope Ward goes up and just dominates him. And I am tired of people saying if Froch can go the 12 rounds Bad Chad will dominate Ward bull**** Froch is ugly to watch but I believe he can take Chad.
But with Dawson almost all of his fights he looks sluggish and disinterested. He was definitely drained, but there should be no doubt that with Ward's mentality, skill, style and toughness he would have beat Dawson at any weight.
Just to tell you guys... anything I'm a fan of, I'm extremely critical (whether it's a team or an individual athelete). And I had my doubts about Ward. But the man makes me look stupid time and time again lol. I said this numerous times before the fight: In a fight this closely matched, the fitghter with the greater resolve always wins. As soon as Lederman said: "Dawson needs a plan B." I knew it was over. Right then lol.
