15.06.08 – by James Slater: They were supposed to fight last September, but Adrian Diacanu injured a hand and had to pull out of his fight with WBC light-heavyweight champion Chad Dawson. Now, according to ESPN, the two will finally get it on in 90 days time.
Diacanu is Dawson’s mandatory challenger and as such the WBC champion has been ordered to face the Romanian interim champion within 90 days (from Friday). Not only that, but it has been reported by ESPN that the bout will take place in Diaconu’s home country of Romania. “Bad” Chad has a tough one ahead of him it seems..
30-year-old Diacanu, a former Olympian who represented his country at the 2000 games, is unbeaten as a pro at 25-0(15). He won the WBC interim light-heavyweight title with his last win – a unanimous decision over the previously unbeaten Chris Henry. Now the man known as “The Shark” gets the chance to fight for the real title against the also unbeaten Dawson.
Many fans felt 25-year-old Dawson was fortunate in getting the verdict in his last fight. After engaging with “Road Warrior” Glen Johnson for twelve action-packed rounds, the defending champion looked the loser in many eyes. Johnson certainly felt he’d been robbed once again.
As such, a lot of people will be tipping the dangerous punching Diacanu to beat, and maybe stop Dawson, when they meet in the summer. But Dawson is a good fighter, one who should not be overly criticised for struggling with Johnson. After all, Johnson gives everybody he fights a hard night. Dawson is a southpaw, too. And looking on Box-Rec, this writer was only able to find two southpaws on the Romanian’s pro record – these being against fighters Diacanu met way back in 2002, only a year or so into his pro career. Will “Bad Chad’s” stance give “The Shark” problems?
Dawson is a talented fighter. Some have questioned his chin, but he stood up to everything Johnson could unload on him back in April. Dawson also has fast hands and a good work-rate. Without a doubt, the 25-year-old will be the best opponent Diacanu has ever faced so far. I think the fight’s a tough one to call. Diacanu is hungry, but Dawson will be too – having something to prove to all those who laid into him after his close call with Johnson.
I go for Dawson to keep his WBC crown with a close and hard-fought points win. One in which Dawson will very possibly have a few scares along the way.