Don't really see the rush for this fight. Ward should wait for the result of Bute-Froch and settle the score completely at 168 in the fall. Then he can move up to beat Dawson and begin his journey to conquer that division. Because I would hate for it to be scenario of: - Move up 175 to beat Dawson. - Argue with Bute about moving up, too. - Delay the Bute fight for another year or so. - Then fight Bute at 175 or a catchweight. It's all a bit messy and leaves room for potential doubt over the win. If you've got the chance to make the fight now when everyone wants it, you should do it. Noone gives a rat's ass about Dawson yet. That fight can wait.
I'm definitely wondering how he'll deal with a rangy southpaw with speed and athleticism but I still feel relatively confident that Ward will find a way to win, no matter how narrowly it may or may not be. He's just got the spark I never saw in Dawson-fine a professional as Dawson is.
could this end up like a leonard v lalonde scenario....with both super-middle and light heavy titles on the line ?...fought at 168 ??
That may have been unique because it was the inception of that title (WBC SMW) but I think this would be perfectly good if they allowed it. They've been doing that kind of thing for a long time. One of my favourites from the old, old days, Tony Canzoneri, he fought Barney Ross for the lightweight and light welterweight title together a few times, both making the lightweight limit. Since Dawson has always maintained that he can make 168, and says it still, I don't see why it would be a bad thing. However, I don't think they allow that anymore.
I agree with everything in this comment except Dawson will beat Ward. Could still conquer the rest of the LHW division but not Dawson.
skinny dawson at sm..? dont know if that is an good idea. but dawson has punching power and is physicly bigger stronger than ward. should be an good fight. but bute-froch winner vs ward would make me more hyped. even direll-ward, for the simple fact both are solid sm. dawson is an lh, I dont like catchweight fights to much...
this fight doesn't make any money-audience sense . i'm agree that both are top elite high skilled fighters but they can't draw **** and besides that both have unfinished business at their own category. Ward has to fight with Bute and Andre Dirrell at 168 ! Dawson has to fight with Pascal-Cloud winner and with Gabriel Campillo , period !
Some guys just can't win. Had Ward ignored Dawson he would be being called a coward. This is the biggest fight out there for ward. It should be getting him nothing but props. Besides waaiting for Bute isn't smart being that froch is by far the best fighte that bute has faced, he might lose. Then what? No one would want to see him fight Froch again.