By Matt Yanofsky: Undefeated WBC light heavyweight champion “Bad” Chad Dawson improved to 26-0 (17 KO’s) after a hard fought unanimous decision over 2004 fighter of the year Glen Johnson 47-12-2 (32 KO’s). Dawson controlled the first two rounds by landing quick accurate shots to the head of his opponent, who only landed a few good punches in total over the first two stanzas. Dawson went right back to work until the middle of the third when Johnson began to increase his work rate which gave Dawson trouble as his high volume of punches from close range was effective.

Johnson was again very aggressive in the 5th and 6th rounds while beginning to get inside on his opponent fairly easily. After a lashing in the corner from trainer/boxing legend Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Dawson did an excellent job of boxing at a distance in rounds 7 and 8 while making it harder for his opponent to cut the ring off due to his frequent and effective movement. Round 9 was very close with Johnson being the aggressor as Dawson once again was using his box and move strategy.

Dawson was boxing well early in the 10th before a huge right hand from Johnson badly hurt him. Johnson went for the knockout but the young champion from New Haven, Connecticut utilized a veteran move in doing an excellent job of holding on to prevent a trip to the canvas. Showtime analyst Al Bernstein said round 11 was “Israel Vazquez vs Rafael Marquez but just bigger” as Johnson and Dawson stood toe to toe and slugged it out in another very close round.

Knowing the fight may still be up for grab in addition to being a victim of losing plenty of close decisions, Johnson was very aggressive in the final round. The Miami based Jamaican landed some clean shots leaving the outcome of the fight unclear to the fans in attendance and watching on TV after the final bell. All three judges scored it 116-112 which was too wide as I scored the bout a draw and couldn’t see Dawson winning by any margin wider than 115-113