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 at www.evenko.ca.
WEIGHTS FROM BALTIMORE, MD
Saturday, May 21st
UNITED BOXERS EVENT
Maryland Sportsplex
1031 Benfield Blvd.
Millersville, MD
Doors 6:30pm, First Bell 8pm
Maxell Taylor 166 vs Purcell Miller 167
Jessie Nicklow 160.5 vs James Freeman 159.5
Emanuel Taylor 142.5 vs Marcus Brashears 138.5
Nick Kisner 201 vs De Leon Tinsley 201
Dorsett Barnwell 235 vs Riley Brooks 270
Damont Giddins 152.5 vs Robert Price 156
Exhibition Bout
Dale Roberson El vs Omar Simms will be weighed later.
UNITED BOXERS SET ACTION PACKED CARD FOR TONIGHT IN MARYLAND
BALTIMORE, MD (May 21, 2011) “Saturday Night Will Be All Right For Fighting” Tonight, Saturday, May 21th, as UNITED BOXERS presents a sensational evening of professional boxing at the Maryland Sportsplex in Millersville.
Headlining the UNITED BOXERS EVENT is a super middleweight showdown between Baltimore’s Maxell “The General” Taylor and Washington D.C.’s Purcell “Hard Rock” Miller.
The 26 year old Taylor, sporting a record of 15-3-1 (6KO’s), heads back into the ring following his challenge to world ranked contender Donovan George in Chicago on April 1st. Taylor earned the respect of George and the Windy City fight fans as he battled the hard punching Chicago native evenly for the first seven rounds prior to being stopped in the eighth.
Boasting knockout power in both hands, Miller, 23-5-1 (18KO’s), is making his return to action following a two year absence. His last start on May 2, 2009, resulted in an eight round unanimous decision over Thomas Wilt in Fairfax, Virginia.
Featured in the six round co-main event, popular Baltimore middleweight Jessie “The Beast” Nicklow makes a quick return to action against tough Texas veteran James “Boogie” Freeman.
Nicklow improved to 21-2-1 (8KO’s), with a devastating first round knockout of Steve Walker at the debut UNITED BOXERS EVENT on April 15th. Freeman enters the battle with a record of 7-3-0 (6KO’s).
Younger brother of Maxell, Emanuel “The Tranzformer” Taylor, will face off against Marcus Brashears of Amarillo, Texas in a six round welterweight tilt.
Just 20 years old, Taylor, 11-0-0 (9KO:s), has become a must-see attraction on the East Coast with his thrilling knockouts while the battle tested Brashears holds a record of 8-14-1 (2KO’s).
Popular cruiserweight prospect Slick “Nick” Kisner will see action at the UNITED BOXERS EVENT taking on veteran DeLeon Tinsley of Orlando, Florida.
Fighting on April 15th at the Maryland Sportsplex in front of his hometown fans, Kisner, 8-0-1 (5KO’s), won a four round unanimous decision over veteran Leo Bercier. Tinsley holds an even record of 9-9-1 (5KO’s).
The undercard also features a four round heavyweight battle between Baltimore’s Riley Brooks, 1-1-1 and Dorsett Barnell, 2-0-0 (2KO’s) of Norfolk, Virginia.
Rounding out the event, in a battle of local middleweight pro debuters, Damint Giddins will challenge Robert Farrad Price in a four rounder.
Tickets priced at $50 and $35 will be available at the door on the night of the event. Doors will open at 6:30pm with the first bell at 8pm.
The Maryland Sportsplex is located at 1031 Benfield Boulevard in Millersville, Maryland. For directions please visit their website at www.mdsportsplex.com.