Ward vs Dawson: Why This Bout Will Be Fight of the Year

Andre Ward and Chad Dawson are going to battle in a fight for the ages Saturday, September 8 at the Oracle Arena in Oakland.

This fight is not getting a lot of hype by the public, but it should be. These are two legitimate top-ten pound-for-pound fighters on the planet, and in their prime, going head-to-head.

Ward and his perfect 25-0 record with 13 knockouts is a former gold medalist, and he currently holds the belt for the super-middleweight division in the WBA, WBC and Ring Magazine.

Dawson, 30, is a light heavyweight champ, he will be dropping down for this fight, for the WBC and Ring Magazine Champion. He is 37-1 and has 17 knockouts.

Both of these guys have not run up these records against weak opponents. 

Ward, 28, has recently beaten former champions Carl Froch and Arthur Abraham, as well as handing Sakio Bika his first loss. 

Meanwhile, Dawson is fresh off a victory over Bernard Hopkins and has beaten Antonio Tarver twice.

I think a big reason the hype for this fight is not where it should is that neither of these guys is considered a big puncher. That is certainly valid, but their combined 30 knockouts is nothing to just overlook. 

More important for this match, and what should be a source great entertainment, is the quickness these guys bring. 

Both are lightning with their hands and feet. Punches are going to come in dazzling flourishes, and with the solid defense of both, neither fighter is going to be able to jump out to a big edge. 

This fight will be a technical masterpiece and it will go to decision, which Ward will win. He is a more adaptable fighter, and he will find a style that will give him an edge on the scorecards.