Even though he won’t be appearing in the main event tonight, former WBC world champion “Bad” Chad Dawson (29-1, 17 KO’s) is eagerly awaiting his chance to remind the world he is the best fighter on the card.
Dawson will meet fellow former champ Adrian Diaconu (27-2, 15 KO’s) in the 12-round main supporting bout of the “Dynasty II: Pascal vs. Hopkins” event at the Bell Center in Montreal that will be televised live on HBO’s World Championship Boxing® in the United States and on pay-per-view in Canada at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.
To face Diaconu, Dawson is returning to the scene of his first and only professional loss, last August, losing his title against main event participant Jean Pascal via 11-round technical decision – a fight in which he looked tentative for many of the early rounds before finding his range too late. Dawson had Pascal reeling when an unintentional headbutt forced a premature ending and a trip to the scorecards.
For this fight, Dawson has been trained by the legendary Emanuel Steward at the Kronk Gym in Detroit.
You’ve already made weight for your fight. How do you feel?
I feel great. I’m very well rested and well conditioned. Ready to get back in and show everybody I’m still the best light heavyweight in the world and showcase my talent.
Is it hard for you to probably be the best fighter on the card, but not be in the main event?
It’s kind of humbling, but I just take it how it comes. It’s a privilege to be on the card in front of a big crowd and a big television audience.
What do you know about your opponent, Adrian Diaconu?
We were scheduled to fight a few years ago and it didn’t happen. Now we’ll do it. He’s a strong guy and a big puncher, but nothing I have to worry about. I’m in great shape and everything is great. I can’t wait to get out there and execute.
Who do you hope wins between Pascal and Hopkins? Who would you rather face?
It doesn’t matter. I would love to get Bernard in the ring. I’ve been chasing him so long. But taking my revenge on Pascal would be great too.
How do you feel when you watch the tape of your loss to Pascal?
It’s painful for me to watch. It wasn’t me in there that night. I can’t believe I fought that way. I can’t believe it took me so long to come after him. It will be totally different next time.
So you think Pascal just got lucky?
He definitely got lucky. He wasn’t going to make it out of that round. After the headbutt, the referee stopped it without even giving my corner a chance to stop the cut. He got a lucky victory.
Any qualms about fighting in Diaconu’s backyard?
I’ve been in this situation before. My last fight was in front of a hostile crowd. It doesn’t bother me at all. It’s only me and him in the ring. They can boo and yell all they want.
“Dynasty II: Pascal vs. Hopkins” is presented by Groupe Yvon Michel and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Casino de Montreal, Videotron and Coors Light. It will be distributed live on pay-per-view in Canada on Canal Indigo, Bell TV, Shaw TV, Viewer’s Choice and Sasktel in French and English beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET. Dawson vs. Diaconu is presented in association with Gary Shaw Productions and InterBox.
Tickets, priced at C$500, C$350, C$250, C$175, C$110, C$75, C$50 and C$35, are on sale now and may be purchased at the Bell Centre box office or by calling(514) 790-2525 or (877) 668-8269. Tickets are available online atwww.evenko.ca.
