Hopkins vs Dawson: Could Nathan Cleverly Be Next for the Winner?

On the same night that Bernard Hopkins squares off against father time and his much younger opponent, Chad Dawson, another light heavyweight champion will be in action.

Nathan Cleverly is going to be fighting Tony Bellew in the UK for a defense of his title belt. Though the fight hasn't gotten the same coverage that Hopkins-Dawson has, it will probably be more exciting.  More importantly, provided Cleverly wins, it will give a potential challenger to the winner.

Cleverly hasn't fought the opposition that Dawson or Hopkins has, but he seems to be willing to take any challenge, and has the skills to be one of the best.  He is a confident young man with skills and a title to put on the line.  The best thing he brings to the table though, is a fan base.

No matter who wins in in their fight on Saturday, neither Hopkins nor Dawson can say they draw fans.  It doesn't help that their fight is in California when they are both East Coast fighters, but even then, neither have been massive draws.

In both Dawson's fight and Hopkins' two fights with Jean Pascal, both fighters showed that even if they aren't a draw, having a world title match somewhere outside the United States against a hometown fighter is.

Hopkins and Dawson were in fights that pulled in massive crowds and media from around Canada.  It also led to them getting more money and exposure.  Most importantly, it lead to them being relevant.

Even if Hopkins or Dawson wins their fight on Saturday, what's next for them?  The light heavyweight division is devoid of names, and most American fans aren't interested in the division.

It's possible and likely that their next fight will end up on HBO, but now that Greenburg has left the helm of HBO boxing, that might end quickly.  If they don't show that they can be in big fights with large crowds and media coverage, that well might dry up.

If the victor of the match took his talents across the pond, though he might be able to secure another payday and keep his name in the press.

Both fighters might be reluctant to do so.  Hopkins has been screwed over in the past by a bad decision against Segundo Mercado when he fought him in Ecuador, and is reluctant to take fights outside of the U.S.

On the other side is Dawson.  With the taste of his first defeat still fresh, even if he wins on Saturday night, he most likely won't want to make another foreign defense.

Still, fighting on HBO PPV in the middle of California, in the biggest fight of the light heavyweight division isn't going to get them any fans.  The fight probably won't win them any more either.

But if the winner fights Cleverly in England, they can borrow his.