Dawson used his superior speed and mobility to defeat Johnson (49-13, 33 KOs), who had moments, but was never able to force the fight into his preferred, high-intensity, pace.
Dawson (27-0, 17 KOs) opened the bout circling Johnson and popping his jab in the aging lion's face. By doing so, the younger Dawson (27) slowed the fight's rhythm and controlled Johnson, who made his name by steamrolling opponents with shear aggression.
In their first fight, back in April of 2008, Johnson overcame Dawson's early advantage in speed by pressuring the younger fighter until a couple hard right hands nearly turned the fight in Johnson's favor. It wasn't to be this go-round.
Neither fighter was able to seriously hurt the other. Athough the sharper punches belonged to Dawson, even he couldn't manage too many clean connects. For a pressure fighter, Johnson can be hard to hit flush, his constant upper body and head movement (think Bobble Head) prevented Dawson from punishing the 40-year-old veteran, and the right hand that caused Dawson so much trouble in their first fight stayed in its holster for most of the night, no doubt for fear of return fire from the Dawson straight left.
Dawson and Johnson's First Fight Ends In Controversy
Their previous encounter left may fans wondering who the better fighter really was. Dawson had won the first half of the fight on pure athleticism, while Johnson made a late run with consistant pressure and a right hand the wobbled Dawson. Minor controversy surrounded Dawson's decision victory and made a rematch almost inevitable. Boxing fans had doubts about young Mr. Dawson.
On this night, there were no doubts. Having fought Johnson and Antonio Tarver, (twice) Tomasz Adamek, and Eric Harding, Dawson's physical gifts are now burnished by his experience. He has become a complete fighter and likely the dominant light-heavy for the next several years.
Alfredo Angulo Knocks Out Harry Joe Yorgey In Round Three
Alfredo Angulo,17-1 (14) destroyed a brave Harry Joe Yorgey with a TKO at 1:03 of round three. Yorgey entered the ring a 22-0 local prospect hoping to prove he could beat the likes of Angulo. Yorgey is now 22-1.
Yorgey began the fight with lateral movement, working off of his jab. Angulo was Angulo, bouncing forward, slipping punches if he could, and when he couldn't, it didn't seem to matter, he was more concerned with throwing his own, anyway.
A flurry in round two shook Yorgey, who seemed unable, or unwilling, to hold Angulo in order to buy time and clear his head. Yorgey wobbled back to his corner after round two so his corner could rinse him off and send him back out to get mauled by Angulo. A flurry in the corner, punctuated by a left hook to Yorgey's exposed chin, like Albert Pujols playing tee ball, ended the fight.
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