Gary Shaw Productions - Chad Dawson

Dawson defeats Mendoza
by TKO in the 4th round
Sept 27th

Dawson captures title from Adamek (15rounds.com 2.3.07) Chad Dawson was masterful in defeating Tomasz Adamek to win the WBC light heavyweight title Saturday night at The Silver Spur Arena in Kissimmee, Florida. (full story)

Dawson’s title win is perfectly clear (Boston Herald 2.4.07) Undefeated Chad Dawson of New Haven. Conn., won the WBC light heavyweight title last night in Kissimmee, Fla., handing defending champion Tomasz Adamek of Poland his first professional defeat. (full story)

Dawson is new king of the ring (New Haven Register 2.4.07) "It was just an emotional moment," Chad Dawson said. "This has been my dream and to have New Haven recognized is important to me. I owe New Haven a lot and I thank people for standing by me and supporting me." (full story)

Dawson sets his sights on Woods (secondsout.com 2.3.07) "I want to prove myself the best in the world and you do that by fighting the other champions," the soft-spoken Dawson said. "Clinton Woods has the IBF title and has been around fighting the top guys in the division. I’d be proud to come to England and fight him. I’m the champion of the world." (full story)

Dawson Lifts WBC Lightweight Title from Adamek (maxboxing.com 2.3.07) The WBC light heavyweight championship bout between Chad Dawson and Tomasz Adamek started out with “Bad Chad” getting adjusted to the Polish title holder’s power while Adamek adjusted to Dawson’s speed. It would soon be clear that the Showtime-televised main event wasn’t the grizzled bull versus green matador match up that many had expected as both fighters circled each other in search of an Achilles Heel. (full story)

Dawson determined to improve on dad's footsteps (espn.com 2.1.07) "He wasn't a well-known fighter -- he was an opponent," recalled the younger Dawson, now 24. "He was the guy that they brought into someone else's hometown to lose. But I just remember being a kid watching him in the gym and saying I wanted to be a fighter. That's all I remember." (full story)

Chad Dawson's Chance Has Come (secondsout.com 2.1.07) It has been nearly one year since Jeff Lacy went down in flames against Joe Calzaghe. One year since one of America's most promising young hitters was shown up and shown the door by a fighter regarded by many to be inferior due to the fact that he didn't ply his trade within the contiguous states. This Saturday a similar scenario is shaping up as Chad Dawson is set to face Tomasz Adamek, though one get the feeling that Dawson's supporter won't be taking this match-up quite so lightly. (full story)

Interview: Chad Dawson - “There Will Be A New Champion Come Saturday Night!”
(2.1.07 pound4pound.com) (full story)

The city has changed, but the determination has not. Dawson steps in the ring with Adamek on Feb 3rd at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Florida with the determination to walk out of the ring wearing the WBC Light Heavyweight Belt. Catch the action on Showtime.

"A must-see Showtime card.... a dream match between Adamek, one of the most exciting champions in the sport, and Dawson, one of the sport's most talented rising stars... what a good match is all about. " - ESPN.com

In a battle of unbeatens in the main event, exciting and talented Tomasz Adamek (31-0, 20 KOs) of Jersey City, N.J., by way of Zywiec, Poland, will defend his WBC light heavyweight title against hard-hitting WBC No. 2 contender "Bad" Chad Dawson (23-0, 15 KOs) of New Haven, Conn., via Hartsville, S.C. (more info)


CHAD DAWSON & TIMOTHY BRADLEY FIGHTING FOR THE UNDERPRIVILEDGED Undefeated contenders, "BAD" CHAD DAWSON and TIMOTHY "DESERT STORM" BRADLEY rolled up their sleeves to help out the needy in their hometowns during this holiday season. Dawson (23-0, 15 KOs), the NABF light heavy champion, purchased hundreds of Thanksgiving turkeys with manager Mike Criscio and distributed to the needy in New Haven, CT. Bradley (16-0, 10 KOs), volunteered his Thanksgiving to help serve Thanksgiving dinner to a crowd of over 2,000 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The poorest farm families in the unincorporated Mecca, Thermal and Oasis areasenjoyed a traditional Thanksgiving meal as well as, tamales, beans and rice and soul food. "I am so proud of Chad and Timothy," said Gary Shaw, who promotes both fighters. "If they never won another fight, they have already proven themselves champions in my book. There is nothing more glorious than giving to those who need our help most."

Trainers aplenty offer to replace Mayweather Sr. (Las Vegas Review Journal 1.28.07)
"...After giving a politically correct answer about his reasons on a conference call, Dawson said later in a private interview he thought he could get more one-on-one attention from Mayweather Sr..." (full story)

Boxing on Super Bowl weekend (usatoday.com 2.1.07) "... The "Super Saturday" card (Showtime, 9 p.m. ET/PT) features WBC light heavyweight champion Tomasz Adamek (31-0, 21 KOs) of Poland in a battle of unbeatens against slugging southpaw "Bad" Chad Dawson (23-0, 15 KOs) of New Haven, Conn..." (full story)

Tomasz Adamek and Chad Dawson Put Undefeated Records on the Line on Showtime Championship Boxing (ringsidereport 2.2.07) Saturday night, Showtime Championship Boxing presents two title bouts live from the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, FL on the eve of the Super Bowl. (full story)

Chad Dawson grows up fast (secondsout.com 7.18.06)
At age 22 Chad Dawson was a middleweight. At 23 he was a super middleweight. Six months later he was a light heavyweight. He then dominated tough veteran Eric Harding over twelve rounds. Having just arrived at the division, he suddenly became of its brightest prospects.

With a glut of new weight classes coming into the sport in recent times, a jump up the ladder from one division to the next does not have the same impact as it used to. The days when a fighter like Sugar Ray Robinson would go from hop from welterweight to middleweight and win a world title on his first try are for the most part over. Now it is possible to move up gradually, going from the "light" version of one class up to the regular one, then on to the "super" when the time is right. The bottom line is that the more divisions there are, the more title belts are up for grabs, and the more sanctioning fees the alphabet organizations can collect. One suspects that if an "even more super" category could be fit in to the mix, it would happen. (full story)

Friday, June 2, 2006
From Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California
NEW YORK (May 26, 2006) – Talk about a devastating 1-2 punch! One night before the most anticipated rubber match in recent history between World Boxing Council (WBC) Lightweight Champion Diego Corrales and former two-time WBC titleholder Jose Luis Castillo, Eric Harding will defend his North American Boxing Federation (NABF) light heavyweight belt against undefeated Chad Dawson in a battle of world-ranked southpaws on SHOWTIME.

It is one thing for a promising, up-and-coming boxer to “step up” and face a “name” opponent. It is an entirely different scenario, however, to engage a “name” that has defeated Antonio Tarver and performed well against three other former world champions, including Roy Jones, Jr.

Such is the intrigue as Dawson (21-0, 1 NC, 15 KOs) is set to challenge Harding (23-3-1, 7 KOs) in the 12-round “ShoBox: The New Generation” main event Friday, June 2, on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast). In the co-feature, undefeated Mario Santiago will face Lenny DeVictoria in a 10-round featherweight match for the vacant USNBC, a minor title of the WBC. Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, will promote the doubleheader from the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif.

“I am willing to fight for winner-takes-all,’’ Harding said. “Dawson has made a big mistake. This is like a man against a young kid. He better be ready. Every fight is a must-win for me.”

Harding, of West Hartford, Conn., via Philadelphia, outpointed Tarver in a WBC eliminator on June 23, 2000, from Biloxi, Miss. The other ex-world champs Harding fought were Montell Griffin and Glen Johnson. Harding, who is the WBC No. 10/International Boxing Federation (IBF) No. 9 contender, won the United States Boxing Association (USBA) and NABF 175-pound crowns in his last two starts, taking 12-round decisions over David Telesco and Daniel Judah, respectively.

“You can tell a lot about what management thinks of a young fighter by the quality of the opposition chosen,” said “ShoBox’’ expert analyst Steve Farhood. “The fact that Chad Dawson is fighting Eric Harding speaks volumes about their confidence in their fighter.

“Dawson is new to the light heavyweight division and a highly touted prospect. In Harding, he is facing a superb counter-puncher and fighter who gave a prime Roy Jones one of his best fights. Harding is coming off of two nice wins, so he clearly has plenty left.

“This is a supreme test for a young fighter and the exact type of match-up we love on “ShoBox.” We are going to learn tons about Dawson on June 2.”

Dawson, 23, of New Haven, Conn., by way of Hartsville, S.C., is quietly confident.

“I am looking forward to this,” the WBC No. 7/World Boxing Association (WBA) No. 15 contender said. “It is a great fight for ‘ShoBox.’ I am a still-improving, young fighter who is stepping up in competition.

“Harding is a great fighter. He has a good resume, but I definitely think I am the stronger fighter. I am in great shape. The world will know my name when I walk out of the ring with a victory.”

Dawson started boxing at age 11. As a Junior Olympian, he was a three-time State champion, a two-time regional titlist and a national runner up. In addition, he earned top honors at the 2000 Golden Gloves, captured the U.S. National title at the Under 19 Championships, won a bronze medal at the World Under 19-Championships and was named U.S.A. Boxing Athlete of the Month in November 2000.

“I was blessed with a good amateur background,” Dawson said. “I always had a pro style, so it was not hard for me to make the adjustment from amateur to pros.”

Since his debut at age 19 on Aug. 18, 2001, Dawson has campaigned at middleweight, super middle and light heavy. Like one of his boxing idols, Thomas Hearns, the 6-foot-3-inch Dawson always was tall for his weight class. So, it was only a matter of time before he settled in for good as a light heavy.

“I knew that I eventually would move up permanently to 175 pounds,” said Dawson, who won belts at 168 pounds (North American Boxing Organization) and at 160 (WBC junior youth). Dawson captured the WBC junior youth title in his 14th outing by scoring an eighth-round TKO over Dumont Welliver, who had defeated him in the 1998 U.S. Junior Olympics Championships.

In one of his best early victories, Dawson registered one knockdown en route to retaining his WBC belt with a seventh-round TKO over former world champion Carl Daniels on Dec. 10, 2004. “I knew I was taking a risk,” Dawson said. “Beating Daniels was a big boost to my confidence.’’

In his “ShoBox” debut and New Haven homecoming, Dawson won the vacant NABO title with an 11th-round TKO over Ian Gardner on Nov. 18, 2005. After a slow start against the reluctant and awkward Gardner, Dawson scored four knockdowns to win impressively. “I could have done more, but Gardner made the fight ugly,” Dawson said. “There were times I could have taken him out, but I did not pull the trigger.”

Nineteen out of Dawson’s first 20 starts originated on the Eastern seaboard, but this will be his third in a row away from “home.” After opening 2006 with a bout in El Paso, Texas, Dawson stopped James Hearn on March 4 in Manchester, England.

“You cannot beat the exposure you get on SHOWTIME, but showcasing your talents in front of different people and places is important, too.”

Promoted by Gary Shaw, Dawson will make his sixth start with trainer, Dan Birmingham.

“I have learned a ton working with Dan,” Dawson said. “I have Darryl Hudson as my strength and training coach. I am with the best. As for Gary (Shaw), everything he has told me has happened.”

Dawson has risen from prospect to genuine contender in five years. The soft-spoken, undefeated fighter knows his shot at a world title will come if he continues to triumph.

“My ultimate dream is to become a world champion and have a different lifestyle,” Dawson said. “But I do not want to just be the best champion. I want to be one of the best champions ever. I am not talking just fighting wise, but by being a good guy. It is not about going in and knocking people’s heads off and holding a title.”

Dawson has been down once as a pro. In his 11th fight, he was dropped by Willie Lee in the first round on March 21, 2003. He got up to flatten Lee in the third.

Santiago (14-0, 9 KOs), of Ponce, Puerto Rico, will attempt to knock out his fourth consecutive opponent in his second “ShoBox” appearance. In his debut on Oct. 21, 2005, Santiago picked apart Cornelius Lock en route to a fifth-round KO from Santa Ynez.

During a stellar amateur career, Santiago captured the Puerto Rican national championship twice, was a member of the Puerto Rican National team and compiled a 45-7 record. The southpaw made his pro debut at age 22 and recorded an opening-round knockout over Antonio Martinez on April 27, 2001, in Hatillo, Puerto Rico. In his last outing, Santiago registered an eighth-round TKO over Terry Lantz on March 4, 2006, in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

“I am very excited to be fighting on SHOWTIME again,” Santiago said. “It was like a dream the first time when my father got to watch me fight on national television. This is even better.’’

DeVictoria (8-3, 2 KOs), of Philadelphia, has won five out of his last six starts since losing his fourth and fifth outings on decisions. He is coming off a fourth-round TKO over Yamin Mohammad on Feb. 16, 2006, in Uncasville, Conn. The loss came in his outing before last when he dropped a majority six-round decision to unbeaten Melvin Cumba (9-0 going in) on Dec. 16, 2005, in Philadelphia. DeVictoria lost a good, close fight by the scores of 76-76 78-74 and 79-73.

The telecast represents the 77th in the popular, critically-acclaimed “ShoBox” series, which debuted on SHOWTIME in July 2001. “ShoBox” features up-and-coming prospects determined to make a mark and eventually fight for a chance at a world title. A number of fighters who have appeared on the series have gone on to become world champions, including Kermit Cintron, Juan Diaz, Leonard Dorin, Joan Guzman and Scott Harrison.

Nick Charles will call the action from ringside, with Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producer of the telecast is Gordon Hall, with Richard Gaughan producing.

For information on “ShoBox: The New Generation” and SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecasts, including complete fighter bios, records, related stories and more, please go the SHOWTIME website at http://www.sho.com/boxing.

More Chad Dawson Articles

Moving Into the Big Leagues (Mike Swann-Boxing Digest-May/June Issue)
Now, no longer merely a prospect at 20-0, with 14 KO’s and a #8 WBC ranking, Dawson is a 6’3” , 23 year old super middleweight who is on the cusp of breaking into the bright lights of boxing’s big time. (full story)

DAWSON Dominates IN HOMECOMING
(fightbeat.com 11.19.05)
The crowd for “Bad” Chad Dawson’s New Haven homecoming may not have been ideal, but the result was. Dawson scored four knockdowns en route to an 11th-round stoppage of Ian Gardner. It was the SHOBOX main event, aired from the Greater Athletic Center in New Haven, CT. (full story)

Dawson Stops Gardner; Logan Upsets Santos (15rounds.com 11.19.05)
Last night at the Athletic Center in New Haven, Connecticut, two local fighters finally squared of in a highly anticipated bout. Chad Dawson, a popular New Haven prospect, was fighting in his backyard and Ian Gardner of Brocton Massachusetts was not far from home either. They were finally set to square off in a battle of two technicians. (full story)

Dawson Captures NABO Belt!!! (fightnews.com 11.19.05)
"Bad" Chad Dawson looked impressive in front of his hometown crowd in New Haven, CT, by dominating fellow New England rival Ian "The Cobra" Gardner en route to an 11th round TKO. Dawson knocked the slick, elusive Gardner down four times, three in the 11th, prompting referee Michael Ortega to stop the bout at 1:12 of the round of the Showtime televised main event of Shobox "The New Generation". (full story)

“Bad” Chad Dawson cuts down The Cobra (thesweetscience.com 11.19.05)
Ian Gardner was clearly frustrated by his inability to mount an attack, necessitating pep talks throughout the bout between rounds by famed cornerman Goody Petronelli. (full story)

Dawson defeats Gardner (New Haven Register 11.19.05)
On paper, it appeared that Ian Gardner could pose a challenge to Chad Dawson and his unbeaten record Friday night before an estimated 2,000 at the New Haven Athletic Center.
(full story)

Dawson Wins By TKO (Hartford Courant 11.19.05)
Chad Dawson took another step toward becoming a hot commodity Friday night.
Dawson collected the North American Boxing Organization super middleweight title with an 11th-round TKO over Ian Gardner at the New Haven Athletic Center. (full story)

Dawson and Gardner Square Off Tonight in New England Showdown(maxboxing.com 11.18.05)
Eighteen months after it was supposed to happen, it's finally going to happen. Chad Dawson and Ian Gardner, two of New England's best young fighters, will face each other on Friday in a 12-round super middleweight fight at the New Haven Athletic Center in Dawson's hometown of New Haven, Conn. in the main event of a "ShoBox, The New Generation" card. (full story)

I’ll be the first to stop him,” says Dawson about Gardner (fightbeat.com 11.17.05)
Nothing beats home cooking during the holiday season. “Bad” Chad Dawson, unbeaten super middleweight prospect, should be stuffed by year’s end.“When an opportunity is in front of me, I have to grab it,” insists Dawson (19-0, 13KO), who’s training for the first of two bouts in Connecticut, within the next three weeks. (full story)

Dawson Decides To Go Nationwide (Hartford Courant 11.18.05)
Chad Dawson has reinvented himself. Dawson, the talented super middleweight from New Haven, has a new manager, a new promoter and a new trainer. (full story)

Talking Boxing with "BAD" CHAD DAWSON
"I box smart and when I see the chance to take him out, I take him out"
by Jason Peck
2/28 - Jermain Taylor's televised stoppage of Daniel Edouard on the Bernard Hopkins undercard made it clear that the boxing media expects him to dominate the division. But when Hopkins relinquishes all four of his world title belts, the division's open to all comers.

Into the picture comes "Bad" Chad Dawson, a 17-0 southpaw with a string of vicotires to his name and a style similar to Thomas Hearns. Hopkins may be the champion, but Taylor is the heir apparent, and Dawson's looking for a future fight with the young upstart to prove who's the real king of the division. "He's a good fighter, but I think I'm a better one. I don't take nothing away from him," Dawson said about Taylor. "But I'm not the guy who's just going to get paid. I'm the best." Currently, Dawson is training for two fights, a March 11th match against an unnamed opponent and an April 1st match against the rugged Jose Spearman. Dawson took some time out of his schedule to talk with us. (full story)