Andre Ward to Dawson: Let’s do it!

By Boxing News - 04/29/2012 - Comments

Image: Andre Ward to Dawson: Let's do it!By Dan Ambrose: WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward didn’t take long to respond to the challenge from WBC light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson, who last night said he wants Ward next after Dawson defeated 47-year-old Bernard Hopkins to win his World Boxing Council title.

When asked by HBO analyst Max Kellerman which light heavyweight he wants to fight next, Dawson said “I would love to fight Andre Ward next.”

Ward said this on his twitter tonight in response to Dawson: “Let’s do it baby!! I love it bro! I’m ready.”

What a fight that would be. Ward has been waiting around for a good opponent to fall into his lap, and just when it looked like he may have to settle for a lesser fighter, Dawson comes out of the blue and says he wants Ward.

A fight between Dawson and Ward would be like a fight between a younger, faster version of Hopkins. Ward does a lot of the same things Hopkins only a lot better at this stage in Hopkins’ career. Ward has fast hands, a much better jab and an ability to fight on the inside better than Hopkins can right now. Dawson would have his hands full with Ward if they can make this fight happen. I see it as a toss up fight, because Dawson is bigger than Ward and a better overall technician.

The only thing I can think that would get in the way of this fight is Dawson fighting a rematch against Jean Pascal. He badly wants to fight Pascal again in order to avenge his earlier loss to him in August 2010 in a fight that was stopped in the 11th after Dawson suffered a bad cut. The fight ended at that point and Pascal was given a 11th round technical decision win based on his better work through much of the fight.

However, Pascal’s stock his dropped badly with his two fights against Bernard Hopkins in which Pascal got a draw and then a loss. Dawson won’t get nearly the interest in facing Pascal than he will in a fight against Ward. That’s just the way it is. Pascal hasn’t stayed active and he hasn’t fought since losing to Hopkins in May of last year. Being that inactive hurts Pascal, and Dawson will not get the same appreciation from fans in taking on him than he will the unbeaten Ward. Pascal has already been exposed by Hopkins, so there’s not much of a gain in fighting him right away.



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