While many are viewing his September 8 championship match against Andre Ward as one of the year’s more intriguing matchups, Chad Dawson has not been impressed with Ward’s run through the Super Six and current consensus as a top Pound 4 Pound fighter.
“He’s still just another fighter,” said Dawson yesterday after his media workout. “I understand the fact that he won a gold medal and he has a great amateur background, but this is the pros. He’s never been in there with a fighter like me. I don’t care what the media says or what people say, he’s never been in the ring with a fighter like me. ”
Further comments on Ward’s skill level can be heard below.
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It’s starting to sound like part of Dawson’s dismissiveness stems from the fact so many people are calling him the underdog. He feels slighted, and that can be good or bad come September 8. Fighting with a chip on his shoulder may be just what Dawson needs to mentally regain the form and promise we saw early in his light-heavyweight against Tomasz Adamek, the first Antonio Tarver fight, and even the grit and heart he displayed in his war with Glen Johnson. And the fights with Bernard Hopkins, despite their ugliness, will no doubt prove helpful in dealing with Ward’s rough-housing. Now whether it’ll be enough for a victory remains to be seen.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 