By Sam Gregory: Tonight on HBO undefeated IBF/IBO light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson and three time world champion Antonio Tarver face off in a scheduled 12 round rematch of their world title fight at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

The last time these two southpaws’ meet in the ring, October 11th, 08’, Chad Dawson was an overwhelming 5-2 favorite. This time around the 26 year old from New Haven, Conn is pegged as a 5 to 1 favorite.

What Tarver has in his favor going into this fight is the fact that he is the “King of Rematches”: two years after his first loss to Eric Harding Tarver stopped Harding in three rounds. In November of 03’ Tarver lost a majority decision to Roy Jones Jr; 6 months later Tarver asked Jones, “You got any excuses tonight Roy?” and stopped Jones in 2 rounds. Finally, after losing a split decision to Glen Johnson in December of 04’, six months later Tarver won a unanimous decision over Johnson.

Dawson is an accurate power puncher and works the body with skill; he’s also arguably boxing’s best combination puncher. At 40 years old Tarver will have his hands full but if over confidence works in his favor and against Dawson, Tarver would be up for winning his fifth rematch.

In the first round Dawson started using his jab early; both men traded jabs in the middle of the ring. Dawson threw a combination blocked by Tarver. Dawson showed respect for Tarver’s punches and countered off his jab.

Round 2 both men came out using their jabs and fought cautiously. Tarver blocked several of Dawson’s shots; Dawson landed a left hand out of about 20 punches thrown. A lot of punches were thrown by both men but most were blocked. Dawson won the round.

Round 3 started with more jabs thrown by both men. Tarver was timing his jab, Dawson countered off Tarver’s jab and went to the body. Tarver is outworking Dawson in this round, landing mostly straight right hands; Tarver’s round.

Round 4 Dawson came out aggressively throwing combinations, going to the body most of which were blocked by Tarver. Dawson lands a straight left hand that stuns Tarver. Dawson lands to the body than goes to the head. Tarver lands solid right hand countered by Dawson to the body.

Round 5 Dawson comes out strong landing solid shots to the body. Tarver’s punches are wide, lopping punches, Dawson landing more solid accurate shots. Dawson is landing several solid shots to Tarver’s head along with a good uppercut. Dawson is much faster and beating Tarver to the punch.

Round 6 Tarver throws several punches to Dawson’s head, Dawson blocks most of the shots. Dawson has Tarver against the ropes and throwing combinations to the body. Both men are in the center of the ring and throwing jabs, Dawson gets off faster and lands more punches.

Between rounds the unofficial score cards have Dawson winning 5 rounds to 1.

Round 7 Dawson is throwing the harder shots, several get through and land In Tarver’s face. Dawson is throwing and landing good combinations; Tarver lands a shot that buckles Dawson’s knees. Tarver had the better round.

Round 8 Dawson comes out very aggressively throwing combinations; Tarver blocks most of the shots. Dawson tries to back Tarver up but Tarver spins out and throws his jab. Tarver lands a solid over hand left.

Round 9 Dawson throws hard combinations, lands a solid right hook. Tarver is throwing and missing over hand shots to Dawson’s head. Dawson is throwing shots to the body, most are blocked by Tarver. Dawson is going to the body but Tarver’s defense blocks most shots.

Round 10 Tarver comes out going to the body; Dawson blocks most of the shots. Tarver throws several jabs, most are blocked. Tarver is very game throwing lots of punches; Dawson is throwing 5 punch combinations to the body. Dawson is stealing these rounds.

Round 11 both men fighting in the center of the ring, Dawson is firing combinations to the body. Tarver is standing his ground and landing several solid jabs. Tarver is throwing big combinations, Dawson lands with his jab.

Round 12 both men feel like they need this round. Both men throw punches than tie up; Dawson punches out. Dawson ties up Tarver, the ref pushes them apart. not a lot of action, punches thrown and blocked by both men.

The fight goes to the judge’s score cards; 116-112,117-111 and 117-111 for the winner Chad Dawson.

Dawson improves his unbeaten record to 28-0 with 17 KO’s

Antonio Tarver falls to 27-6 with 19 KO’s