Ward by decision. Unless the weight were to severely slow Dre, can't see Dawson having any kinda luck. Wide points win for Ward in a similar beatdown to Froch.
Dawson is one of, if not the most, underrated fighters on this site. I think he beats Ward he's bigger, stronger, just as if not more athletic, and technically sound.
Dawson presents a lot of problems. Bigger, faster hands, and a A+ jab. Chad gets up for big fights and outside of the Pascal fiasco, has been very good.
*It reall depends on Dawson... u never know who's gunna show up... the Dawson that has the ability to be the best in his div..ever... or the guy that looks like he in a depression in the ring... if boxng has bi polar,then is name is Dawson. If dawson is on,he's unbeatable.
Dawson to me is one of two fighters that would really challenge Ward next to Dirrell. One of Wards key attributes ability to out muscle his opponents despite the opponent appearing stronger (ex Froch Abraham Miranda) but can he do that against a taller equally fast and maybe even stronger fighter in Dawson? I think he can especially since Dawson has sorta a habit of being unmotivated in fights but when hes motivated (Adakmek version) hes tough for anyone.
I think Dawson's single greatest problem is that he hasn't had any opponents to build his career against. He's been stuck fighting old men in Johnson & Tarver. His second greatest problem is Gary Shaw. More talent has passed through the hands of that fat ******* than you could believe, and yet he's never done anything with those fighters in terms of image development except collect network fees for himself.
Ward is better at everything in a boxing ring, he even beats him out in the intangibles category. Dawson is bigger that's it.
Ward's a more rounded fighter and more intelligent and composed throughout the full 12 rounds, but Dawson's size advantage and athleticism would be pretty difficult for him to overcome.