RSS 2.0 FeedVol. 4, No.10, October 2008, Sports
Southpaw Showdown
Antonio Tarver and Chad Dawson have little separating them on paper. They have excellent records—Tarver is 27-4 with 19 knockouts, and Dawson is 26-0 with 17 knockouts. They have both held light-heavyweight titles. They have both beaten a strong fighter named Glen Johnson, and they are both lefties.
The only thing separating the fighters is their age. Dawson will be 26 and Tarver 39 when they battle for a pair of light-heavyweight titles October 11 at the Palms.
Both have an interesting history. Tarver was nearly a forgotten pro until he shocked the world with a one-punch knockout over Roy Jones, boxing’s top performer, in 2004. Tarver, who had lost their first fight by close decision, became known for saying, “You got any excuses tonight, Roy?” as the fighters were introduced, and then knocking Jones out. Jones has never been the same.
Tarver, frustrated and outhustled by Bernard Hopkins in 2006, has won his last three fights. He captured titles in his last fight, an April victory over Clinton Woods.
Dawson, a former champion, made history by camping out at the WBC’s Mexico City headquarters, begging the organization not to strip him of the title for failing to oppose its mandatory contender. He told the organization he could not feed his family if they stripped him. The WBC relented and allowed him to “keep feeding his family,” but later took his title when he again failed to fight their mandatory challenger.
The only thing separating the fighters is their age. Dawson will be 26 and Tarver 39 when they battle for a pair of light-heavyweight titles October 11 at the Palms.
Both have an interesting history. Tarver was nearly a forgotten pro until he shocked the world with a one-punch knockout over Roy Jones, boxing’s top performer, in 2004. Tarver, who had lost their first fight by close decision, became known for saying, “You got any excuses tonight, Roy?” as the fighters were introduced, and then knocking Jones out. Jones has never been the same.
Tarver, frustrated and outhustled by Bernard Hopkins in 2006, has won his last three fights. He captured titles in his last fight, an April victory over Clinton Woods.
Dawson, a former champion, made history by camping out at the WBC’s Mexico City headquarters, begging the organization not to strip him of the title for failing to oppose its mandatory contender. He told the organization he could not feed his family if they stripped him. The WBC relented and allowed him to “keep feeding his family,” but later took his title when he again failed to fight their mandatory challenger.
Casino Connection Sports Editor Dave Bontempo is an award-winning sports writer and broadcaster who calls boxing matches all over the world. He has covered the Philadelphia Flyers in the playoffs, as well as numerous PGA, LPGA and Seniors Golf Tour events, and co-hosted the Casino Connection television program with Publisher Roger Gros.
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