Chad Dawson became the undisputed light-heavyweight world champion with a comprehensive victory over IBF title-holder Antonio Tarver at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas. Dawson, the WBC champion before vacating the title for this fight, won a unanimous decision to take the belt Tarver won against Sheffield's Clinton Woods earlier this year. One judge had the fight scored 118-109, while the other two cards were 117-110 in favour of Dawson, who also scored a knockdown against his fellow American in the 12th round.
"I fought a great fight," the 26-year-old Dawson said. "I played with him and I outworked him round by round. That was our philosophy." Tarver admitted that at 39-years-old he could not match the hand speed of Dawson, who landed numerous combinations and sharp uppercuts. "He was a busier fighter than I was," Tarver said. "I tip my hat to him. I'd like to fight him again. I have no apologies, no regrets."
Dawson had won the WBC light-heavyweight crown in February 2007 but relinquished the title after three successful defences in order to fight Tarver. "I'm bringing the titles back to New Haven," Dawson said. "Tarver fought a great fight, but like he said, I also caught a lot of his punches on my gloves."
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