Dawson takes out the trash
After weeks of trash talk war, Dawson lets hands do the talking, silences Tarver for IBF, IBO light-heavyweight belts

Ringside by Victor Perea
Photography by Chris Cozzone
- FightWireImages.com

There was not a bad seat in the house Saturday night at The Palms’ The Pearl arena in Las Vegas.

Unless you were Antonio Tarver.

Looking very much his age, the 39-year-old former world champion lost his belts to the much younger, much hungrier challenger, “Bad” Chad Dawson, who’d given up his WBC version of the light-heavyweight championship to silence the critics—and Tarver—after a much-heated campaign of trash talking leading up to last night’s Showtime-televised showdown.

In essence, Dawson fought like he wanted it, not like he deserved it or should be given it, in his dominating fight over a battle-worn Tarver.

The 26-year-old New Haven, Ct. resident took it to Tarver with two wide left hooks right off the bat. Tarver covered up with his gloves, setting the tone for something he would have to do often throughout the contest. Although hitting much of the defensive Tarver’s gloves, Dawson set a blistering pace, throwing double-triple jabs followed by three- and four-punch combinations.

Tarver patiently waited and kept his jab constantly out there, but it was Dawson’s jab that did more damage. When thrown two-three times in a row Dawson managed to split the guard of Tarver and allow for his other heavy punches to find a home.

The southpaw Tarver came out sticking his jab out, timing his left hook, only to get tagged by a counter right hook. Dawson continued to come over the top with a charging left hook taking command of the ring. Continuing to break Tarver’s tight guard Dawson used his stiff jab in numbers to land good combinations including a right uppercut, left hook that landed flush in the second round. That left Tarver covering up, throwing only a single jab at a time to save from getting tagged by a fierce Dawson combination.

The first non-defensive sign of Tarver in the fight came in the third when the champion landed two thudding left hooks before the round closed, a round given to the champion on all three scorecards. After eating a left hand counter, Dawson stole the fourth round with a good combination in the final moments leaving the patient champion unhappy.

Tarver came out moving forward more than covering up during the fifth round, jab-jabbing before Dawson went on another tear. Midway through the round, Dawson, again, used a stiff jab to open Tarver up and break away taking the round, continuing to control the pace.

Although his promoter, Gary Shaw, stood up from his ringside seat, walked all the way around the ring and over to Dawson’s corner in between rounds to yell at the trainers to keep his hands moving, Dawson came out at a significantly slower pace in the sixth. Dawson seemingly abandoned the jab, no five- and six-punch combinations like in earlier rounds. Tarver pounced on the opportunity as Dawson took the round off and landed hooks to the body, one after another growing more confident. Tarver took hold and dominated the sixth round in part by throwing with more precision and giving up the jab, but mostly due to Dawson hitting the breaks.

The sixth round would be the only break Dawson took as he went back to where he left off. Throwing two, three or four jabs at a time some got through, some did not but every punch helped Dawson increase his lead. A low left hand with less than a minute to go in the seventh earned Dawson a warning, no harm, no foul.

Battering Tarver when he covered up and stayed on the ropes Dawson fought the way every challenger fighting for a title in boxing should fight, like a hungry dog who hasn’t eaten in days, tearing at the bit trying hard to take what he wants. From beginning to end, Dawson continued to flurry, battering the guarded Tarver with six- and seven-punch combinations; some landed, some hit glove, but the challenger continued to dictate the pace and control the ring.

Surely aware that he needed a knockdown to keep his title, Tarver stepped up his offense and threw heavier and heavier punches in the eleventh, each with less caution. Work to the body was done for Tarver as only a knockout would do. Dawson backpedaled, covered up and when Tarver punched himself out, Dawson jumped in and unleashed brutal combinations.

There would be no Rocky comeback for the 39-year-old champion Tarver.

Although clearly ahead and clearly in control the challenger continued to fight as though Tarver still taunted him with his championship belts. Less than a minute into the round Dawson, with his back to the ropes, tagged Tarver with a big counter right uppercut that grazed Tarver enough to send him off balance stumbling. Trying to catch his balance Tarver stopped himself from falling, putting both of his hands on the ground—a knockdown for Dawson. With a 10-8 round secure, Dawson needed only to add a few more stick and moves-to finish a perfectly executed game plan.

After the final bell rung and the many pro-Dawson fans in attendance finished ranting, the unanimous decision was announced via scores of 118-109 and 117-110 twice all for the new IBF and IBO Light Heavyweight Champion, “Bad” Chad Dawson (27-0, 17 KOs).

Fightnews scored the bout 118-111 for Dawson.

“Tarver fought a great fight he had a little bit more than I thought he would,” said the new champion, “But I caught a lot of punches with my gloves. I was playing him. I worked him. Our philosophy is one round at a time and that’s what we did.”

Dawson said that Floyd Mayweather Jr. called him in his dressing room before fight and told him, “This is a gladiator sport and it could go any way but be yourself you’re the better boxer.”

“I fought my fight, Chad fought his. I was never hurt,” said Tarver (27-5, 19 KOs) after the bout.

“I didn’t use my left as much as I wanted to. He pushed me down. He was a busier fighter than I was tonight. I tip my hat off to him, he was busier but I felt my defense was good. I respected him before when he had his WBC title.

“I’d like to fight him again.”

With the impressive victory Dawson set himself up for a shot at the winner of the mega fight between Kelly Pavlik and Bernard ‘The Executioner” Hopkins.

“We would love to fight the winner of Hopkins-Pavlik. Bernard is a real live dog. There is no question we would like the winner the rest is just negotiating,” said Dawson’s promoter, Gary Shaw.

Williams continues comeback

In an eight-round welterweight bout, former Olympian Ricardo “Slicky Ricky” Williams Jr. dominated Columbian Dario Esalas throughout seven lackluster rounds and one monster knockdown.

Having lost nine of his last ten outings, Esalas entered the underdog against Williams Jr. who had won his last two fights after a three-year layoff. Esalas tip-toed his way around the ring peppering his opponent with bothersome strikes at best, while the stockier Williams Jr. used a hard inside game to establish dominance. Midway through the second round Williams landed a booming left hook that dropped Esalas down hard. After somehow making it back to his feet in one piece Esalas sported a bleeding mouse under his right eye, cause to worry so early in the bout.

Luckily for Esalas his opponent took an overly casual approach to the rest of the contest, throwing small combinations that lacked in power rather than finish his opponent as it clearly appeared he could do at any moment, if he was so willing. Esalas stayed game, although falling further behind on the scorecards as each round passed the veteran keep coming, unwilling to succumb to “Slicky Ricky” and his superior skill set and mediocre effort.

The sparse crowd grew disinterested in the bout until with only seconds left in the final round Williams Jr. landed a solid straight left that clearly hurt Esalas. As the crowd sat up in anticipation of a spectacular finish, Williams denied those in attendance fair compensation for their ticket as he played it too safe and stayed away letting the final seconds tick away as the still hurt Esalas backpedaled.

After the final bell rang, the judges awarded Williams (13-2, 7 KOs) a lopsided unanimous decision over Esalas (31-14, 25Kos) via scores of 79-72 twice and 80-71.

Avalos edges Marquez

In what was the most exciting bout, thus far, Chris Avalos battled fellow bantamweight Ernie Marquez over six hard fought rounds.

The 26-year-old Marquez was clearly at a reach and height disadvantage as the eight-year younger Avalos immediately made it clear he wanted nothing to do with an inside battle.

Using a reaching jab, Avalos set his punches up going early and often to the body of Marquez. Marquez was forced to chase after his opponent in order to land his punches as Avalos backpedaled and landed numerous jabs before coming forward with a body shot-or two.

After three rounds it appeared as though Marquez was in for a long night however he stayed focused and used good head movement and began landing a higher number of punches with greater accuracy as the fight wore on. Avalos appeared to become complacent midway through the contest and allowed Marquez to gain ground as he was now becoming the aggressor.

Although the undefeated Avalos was still landing clean punches his opponent was controlling the pace and the corner of Avalos urged him to pick up the pace. The fighters entered the sixth round much closer than anybody in Avalos’ corner would have liked, and Marquez clearly knew that.

With his corner screaming at him to finish strong, Marquez shot into the final round overwhelming Avalos with every punch in his arsenal. Double left hook-right/hand combination landed twice for the shorter fighter. The crowd was reached the edge of their seats and watched as Marquez bullied Avalos to the ropes and battered away in hopes of a stoppage. The 18-year-old Avalos managed only to land a single noteworthy punch in the entire round a straight right that knocked the mouthpiece of Marquez across the ring, but was clearly not enough to steal the round.

After entertaining those in attendance a majority decision was announced with scores of 57-57 and 59-55 twice for the Avalos (7-0, 5 KOs) leaving the tough Marquez (7-5, 3 KOs) with a bitter taste in his mouth. Fightnews scored the bout 57-57, a draw.

Marquez knocks out Morales

Hailing from the tough fighting town of Albuquerque, N.M., 20 year-old Archie Ray Marquez entered the contest having won all three of his professional bouts by way of knockout. His opponent, Sam Morales also entered the contest unbeaten in three bouts, though his were earned in the Midwest—a far cry from the proving grounds of the Southwest.

Entering the four-round lightweight bout, Morales sported an obvious height and reach advantage, which Marquez quickly took away by cutting off the ring and dictating the pace of the bout. Landing his shots sparingly, Morales managed only to hang tough and take Marquez, who had spent a total of 4:41 in the ring during his first three bouts, into the final round for the first time.

Once they arrived in the fourth and final round, Marquez finally found pay dirt for his heavy hand landing a crushing right hand to the body that dropped Morales where he stood. Grimacing in pain Morales spit out his mouthpiece and stayed on his knees until the count reached ten and the bout was waved off at :42.

Marquez (4-0, 4 KOs) used good footwork and heavy hands to control the pace and place in which the bout went en route to a victory over the game Morales (3-1, 1 KO) whose more obvious combination was that of leopard print short and bright red shoes.

After a victory over cancer, Dirrell beats Mavros

Unbeaten after 12 professional bouts, eleven via knockout, Flint, Michigan’s Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell was pinned against an opponent nobody ever wants to face. Cancer. Diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Dirrell endured chemotherapy and radiation treatments during his two years out of the ring.

Dirrell entered the ring inside The Pearl with his baby blue short emblazoned with “Cancer-Free”, a testament to his toughest battle to date. With a boisterous group of supporters in his corner, behind his corner, in the stands, on the stage and throughout, Dirrell had plenty of support entering the ring for a scheduled four-round super middleweight contest.

Welcoming Dirrell back to boxing was Canadian Andy Mavros who quickly threw a wrench into the welcome back party when he dropped Dirrell with a right-left early in the first. After taking his time to get off his knees Dirrell rose to the occasion, taking control of the contest from then on. Working left hooks to the body right hands upstairs, Dirrell very quickly regained his confidence.

With merit in every punch Dirrell threw, Mavros began to show wear by the end of the second round. Although Dirrell landed several right hand counters throughout the final two rounds, his feet stayed planted far too long for a fighter of his experience. With his corner calling for him to finish strong Dirrell pounded away at the tough Mavros for the remainder hearing the final bell for only the second time in his career.

Having survived the first round scare Dirrell (13-0, 11 KOs) proved to all three judges that he took full control of the bout thereafter winning a unanimous decision over Mavros (6-2, 2 KOs) via scores of 39-37 by all three judges.

El Harrak stops Stringer

The opening bout of the evening kicked off even before the doors to The Pearl at The Palms were actually opened. The few fans who made it to their seats in time were glad that they made it as the action was short lived. In a scheduled four round welterweight bout Wisconsin’s Alex Stringer attempted to earn his first victory against London born Said El Harrak.

El Harrak, of Moroccan descent, used his slight reach and height advantage from the opening bell. Wasting no time setting up his punches, El Harrak landed three hard and flush left hooks before the first minute passed. Stringer used a sharp jab to temporarily halt his more accurate adversary from landing.

Stringer’s efforts soon turned to desperation as with every thudding left hand El Harrak landed, his jabs turned in wailing overhand punches that got nothing but air. El Harrak then kicked it in gear and landed a double left hook to the head, right hook to the body that hurt Stringer on the ropes in his own corner. On the ropes, apparently shaken and stirred, Stringer received a half dozen subsequent left hooks to the noggin before the bout was stopped at 2:18 of the very first round.

With the quick and impressive victory El Harrak (3-0, 1 KO) stays unbeaten while Stringer (0-3-1) stays winless.

Bonus photos