By Dan Ambrose: Chad Dawson (30-1, 17 KO’s) still thinks WBC light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins (52-5-2, 32 KO’s) pulled a flop in their fight last October when the 47-year-old Hopkins fell over Dawson’s back after missing a shot and was then dropped on the canvas by Dawson. Hopkins hit the canvas and immediately clutched his left shoulder in pain.

The fight was then halted, and Dawson was given a 2nd round TKO victory, which was later overturned by the World Boxing Council and the California State Athletic Commission and changed to a ‘No contest.’ Hopkins was given his WBC title back, and for a long time it didn’t look he was going to give Dawson a rematch until Dawson’s promoter appealed the decision to the WBC, who then ordered the rematch.

Hopkins and Dawson will now do it one more time on April 28th in a fight at the Boardwalk Hall, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. This time, Dawson, 29, is hoping Hopkins stays on his feet and doesn’t hit the canvas from contact.

In their recent press conference, Dawson said this as quoted by the New York Daily News – “I wanted to beat Bernard Hopkins. When he pulled that stunt he pulled, it messed up all my plans. This time all I want is a fair fight. Don’t be a punk! He didn’t want to do a stare down or the face-off. He was scared. He’s in a position that he doesn’t want to be in.”

Hopkins didn’t have to say on his behave at the press conference, saying “All has been said.” Maybe Hopkins doesn’t feel comfortable talking trash or trying to intimidate Dawson after the last time they fought. It might be better for Hopkins to stay silent because it lets Dawson be the bad guy and doesn’t put any pressure on Hopkins to do the things he’s talked about.

Dawson doesn’t want Hopkins to go down with an injury this time and he’s worried that he might. Dawson said “I could have fought him with one finger,” meaning that Hopkins was going to go down and get injured in what Dawson feels was a fake injury to get out of the fight.