Roach interested in training Chad Dawson

By Boxing News - 09/02/2010 - Comments

Image: Roach interested in training Chad DawsonBy Jim Dower: Trainer Freddie Roach is interested in training former two-time light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson (29-1, 17 KO’s), according to boxing news from Chris Mannix of Sportsillustrated.com. Roach has reportedly spoken to representatives of Dawson about training Dawson for his next bout. Roach is said to be considering the job but has some concerns about how dedicated Dawson is towards boxing. Dawson, 28, was defeated for the first time in his career by WBC light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal by an 11th round technical decision on August 14th. It was a fight that was a winnable one for Dawson, but he just didn’t throw enough punches in the fight.

By the time Dawson finally did crank up his offense in the 11th round, he was behind in the fight on all three of the judges’ scorecards. Although Dawson tried to score a knockout, his rally was cut short when he clashed heads with Pascal accidentally and suffered a bad cut over his right eye. The bout was then stopped due to the severity of the cut. Roach likely saw a fight that Dawson could have won had he made the correct moves in the fight. Indeed, trainer Emanuel Steward, who was working the fight as an HBO analyst during the Pascal fight, mentioned Dawson’s problems with not throwing enough punches.

Roach would have to change that if he wanted to steer Dawson towards beating Pascal in a rematch. Roach has worked wonders in talented but flawed fighters like Amir Khan, Manny Pacquiao and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., among many others. If Roach could get Dawson to follow his game plans to the letter, he could make him a champion again in no time.

Dawson has a lot of potential. He could not only be a light heavyweight again, but he has the chance to move down to the super middleweight division and make a lot of noise down there if he get his game straightened out by Roach. It won’t be easy, because Dawson has a tendency to stop punching and letting his opponents stay in there with him. With his talent, he should be blowing everyone out with flurries instead of just being content to throw jabs and an occasional power shot.



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