Chad Dawson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chad Dawson
Dawson (right) vs. Harding, 2006
Statistics
Nickname(s)	Bad
Rated at	Middleweight Super middleweight Light heavyweight
Height	6 ft 1 in
Reach	76+1/2 in
Born	(1982-07-13) July 13, 1982 (age 43) Hartsville, South Carolina, U.S.
Stance	Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights	43
Wins	36
Wins by KO	19
Losses	5
No contests	2

Chad Dawson (born July 13, 1982) is an American former professional boxer. He competed from 2001 to 2019. Chad was known as "Bad" Dawson. He won many world championships in the light heavyweight boxing division. Between 2006 and 2013, he was one of the best boxers in his weight class.

In 2007, Chad Dawson became famous worldwide. He beat Tomasz Adamek to win the World Boxing Council (WBC) light heavyweight title. Later, he won the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and International Boxing Organization (IBO) titles by defeating Antonio Tarver in 2008. He beat Tarver again in a rematch in 2009.

Chad Dawson faced his first loss in 2010 against Jean Pascal. But he bounced back! In 2012, he won the WBC title again. He also won Ring magazine and lineal titles by beating Bernard Hopkins. That same year, The Ring magazine ranked Dawson as the tenth best boxer in the world.

Later in 2012, Dawson tried to fight in a lower weight class, super middleweight. This was a tough move for him. He lost to Andre Ward, showing he was better at a higher weight. In 2013, he returned to light heavyweight to defend his titles. However, he was knocked out by Adonis Stevenson in the first round.

Early Life and Start in Boxing

Chad Dawson was born on July 13, 1982. His dad, Rick Dawson, was also a boxer. Chad has four brothers and two sisters. In 1988, his family moved to New Haven, Connecticut. Chad went to James Hillhouse High School from 1996 to 2000.

Chad Dawson's Boxing Journey

Starting as a Middleweight

Chad Dawson started his professional boxing career as a southpaw (meaning he leads with his right hand and foot). He began in the middleweight division. Later, he moved up to super middleweight. There, he beat strong opponents like Ian Gardner and Carl Daniels. His win over Aundalen Sloan in 2004 was later changed to a no contest. This happened because of an issue after the fight. This event motivated Dawson to become even better.

Becoming a Light Heavyweight Star

On June 2, 2006, Chad Dawson fought Eric Harding. Dawson won this fight by a decision from all the judges. He won the regional NABF light heavyweight title. Even though he was knocked down briefly in the first round, Dawson controlled the rest of the fight.

Winning the WBC Title

When he was 24, on February 3, 2007, Dawson won his first major world title. He beat the undefeated champion Tomasz Adamek for the WBC light heavyweight title. All the judges agreed that Dawson won the fight.

In June 2007, Dawson defended his WBC title for the first time. He won against Jesus Ruiz by a technical knockout in the sixth round. This fight was shown on Showtime TV. On September 29, 2007, Dawson defended his title again. He defeated Epifanio Mendoza by TKO in the fourth round. In April 2008, Dawson kept his WBC belt after a close fight with Glen Johnson. The judges scored the fight for Dawson. After this, Dawson decided to give up his WBC title in mid-2008.

Winning the IBF Title

On October 11, 2008, Chad Dawson fought Antonio Tarver in Las Vegas. Tarver held the IBF light heavyweight title. Dawson was in control for most of the fight. He landed more punches and wore Tarver down. In the last round, Dawson knocked Tarver down. Dawson won the fight by a unanimous decision from all the judges. He earned $800,000 for this fight.

After this win, Dawson challenged Joe Calzaghe, another great boxer. Calzaghe decided to retire a few weeks later. Dawson praised Calzaghe for ending his career at the top.

Seven months later, Dawson and Tarver had a rematch on May 9, 2009. The second fight was much like the first. Dawson was in control and won by another unanimous decision. The judges all scored the fight for Dawson. On May 27, 2009, Dawson gave up his IBF light heavyweight title. He wanted to fight Glen Johnson again. On November 7, 2009, Dawson beat Glen Johnson once more. This time, his win was clearer to the judges.

First Big Loss Against Pascal

Chad Dawson's next big fight was against Jean Pascal on August 14, 2010. This fight was for the WBC title and The Ring light heavyweight title. Pascal won the fight after an accidental head butt stopped the match in the 11th round. The judges had Pascal ahead at that point.

Dawson returned to boxing on May 21, 2011. He fought Adrian Diaconu and won by a unanimous decision. This was his first fight with his new trainer, Emanuel Steward.

Fights Against Bernard Hopkins

Dawson first fought Bernard Hopkins on October 15, 2011. Dawson seemed to win the WBC and The Ring titles. However, the fight was later changed to a "No Contest." This meant it was as if the fight never happened. The boxing commission decided there was an incorrect call by the referee.

So, Dawson and Hopkins fought again on April 28, 2012. This fight was slower, but Dawson controlled most of it. He landed stronger and more effective punches than Hopkins. His trainer, Iceman John Scully, helped him stay focused during the fight. Dawson won this rematch by a majority decision. Two judges scored it for Dawson, and one judge called it a draw. After this win, Dawson said he wanted to fight Andre Ward or Jean Pascal again.

Challenging Andre Ward

On September 8, 2012, Dawson decided to move down a weight class. This is rare in boxing. He wanted to challenge Andre Ward, who was a top boxer in the super middleweight division.

The fight started carefully, with both boxers testing each other. In the third round, Ward knocked Dawson down. Dawson got up but seemed a bit dazed. In the fourth round, Ward knocked him down again. Dawson showed great toughness to keep fighting. In the tenth round, Dawson looked tired. Ward landed several punches, and Dawson took a knee. The referee stopped the fight. Ward kept his titles. This fight showed that moving down in weight was very hard for Dawson.

Loss to Adonis Stevenson

On June 8, 2013, after his loss to Ward, Dawson went back to light heavyweight. He defended his WBC and The Ring titles against Adonis Stevenson. The fight was in Montreal. Many people wondered if the tough fight with Ward had affected Dawson. Early in the fight, Stevenson landed a powerful left hook. Dawson fell to the canvas. He got up before the count of eight, but the referee saw that Dawson's legs were unsteady. The referee stopped the fight in the first round. This was the first time Dawson had been knocked out in the first round.

Returning to the Ring

After taking a break in 2013, Dawson fought George Blades on June 14, 2014. This fight was in the cruiserweight division. Dawson won by knocking Blades out in the first round. He said he wanted to fight for a world title again at light heavyweight.

However, Dawson's career faced another challenge on October 4, 2014. He lost a close fight to Tommy Karpency. Dawson said he injured his left hand during the fight.

Personal Life

Chad Dawson is married and has three sons. He still lives and trains in New Haven, Connecticut. His current trainer is "Iceman" John Scully. He has also been trained by Dan Birmingham, Floyd Mayweather Sr., and Eddie Mustafa Muhammad.

Professional Boxing Record

See also

In Spanish: Chad Dawson para niños

• List of light heavyweight boxing champions
• List of WBC world champions
• List of IBO world champions
• List of The Ring world champions