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Chad Dawson makes the first defense of his WBC Light Heavyweight Title against Jesus Ruiz on Showtime Boxing
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00:00Tonight, in a light heavyweight doublehead, we're highlighting the recent past, showcasing
00:26the present, and perhaps providing a glimpse into the near future.
00:35A few years ago, Antonio Tarver infused the division with excitement and a sense of humor
00:41when he eclipsed megastar Roy Jones Jr.
00:45All right, you guys are giving instructions from the restaurant.
00:47Do you have any questions?
00:48I've got a question.
00:49You got an excuse tonight, Roy?
00:51Let's go.
01:21The rekindled legend.
01:24The emerging champion.
01:27Who will shine the brightest as these two light heavyweight stars begin their collision course?
01:32Here and now on Showtime Championship Boxing.
01:36The rekindled legend.
02:52Well, it's been a year since former light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver has stepped in the ring.
02:57Unless, of course, you count the movie Rocky Balboa.
03:00Well, Tarver is back, and this is Showtime Championship Boxing Debut.
03:04In our main event, it's the long-awaited return of Antonio Tarver as Magic Man launches his comeback against Elver Merricki.
03:13And for openers undefeated, Chad Dawson makes the first offense of his light heavyweight crown on his home turf.
03:19The New Haven product meets Jesus Ruiz.
03:22Hello again, everybody.
03:27Steve Albert in Hartford, Connecticut.
03:29The storylines of light heavyweights Antonio Tarver and Chad Dawson are seemingly divergent,
03:34but the fighters' paths just might cross in the near future.
03:38The 38-year-old Tarver is a former champion who fights tonight for the first time in a year.
03:43His two wins over Roy Jones placed him in the pound-for-pound top ten, where he was ranked until his loss to Bernard Hopkins.
03:50Poised to steal the spotlight from Tarver is 24-year-old Chad Dawson.
03:54He's a fresh face with a high-energy style.
03:57He's also a newly crowned titleist who faces a unique type of pressure.
04:01Not only is he making his first defense of the title, he's doing so at home.
04:05If both are successful, a showdown would seem a natural.
04:10With that, let me bring on my ringside partner, Al Burson.
04:12Al, do you believe Antonio Tarver and Chad Dawson are destined to meet in the ring?
04:17Well, certainly an intriguing matchup.
04:18Dawson, certainly the future of this division at 24.
04:21Tarver, the recent past at age 38.
04:24The question is, who is the present?
04:26And it might take a match between the two to really decide that.
04:29Dawson, of course, very much on board with the idea of fighting Tarver.
04:33Tarver, not so much.
04:34He's concerned about the fact that there might be something more lucrative out there for him than Dawson.
04:40He might take a little bit of convincing.
04:41All right, it'll be interesting to see how it all plays out.
04:44Earlier tonight, our Jim Gray had a chance to visit with the former champion, Antonio Tarver, in his dressing room.
04:51Antonio, it has been a year since you fought.
04:54How much does the loss to Hopkins still bother you?
04:57It don't bother me.
04:58You know, I just can't wait to right the wrong, basically.
05:02You know, it don't bother me.
05:03I'm here now with Evan Maricki.
05:05And, you know, if I can't get by him, then it's a new point talking Hopkins.
05:09I've never heard an athlete say that a loss didn't bother them, no matter what point it is.
05:14Is that a defense mechanism that you've built up, or does it bother you and you just want to try and move on and try and get back to him?
05:19No, I just know that when the opportunity comes, you know, I'll right the wrong, basically.
05:25So I can't harp on that.
05:26It spilled milk.
05:27Everyone that saw that fight knows that it wasn't me.
05:30And I'm just here.
05:30I'm back now.
05:31The Magic Man is back.
05:32And I'm just ready to perform tonight.
05:34And I'll let the critics do their judging.
05:37How do we know the Magic Man is back?
05:39Because why haven't you fought in the year?
05:41You know, the fight got postponed.
05:43And basically, you know, I had to take some time off to really reevaluate my career, my life.
05:48And when you do that, you take time.
05:50It's not a rush.
05:51And, you know, time does us good.
05:53I needed the rest.
05:55I'm rejuvenated.
05:55And so, you know, my life and my boxing career, I think, has come full circles.
05:59And now we want to just finish what we started, basically.
06:04You said that you're an actor and a boxer.
06:06Can you be both, or are you distracted by this acting at this point?
06:10No, that's life.
06:10I'm not distracted by anything.
06:12It's a part of life.
06:13I'm just fortunate and blessed that God has given me, you know, great opportunities to just go out and do other things.
06:19So, you know, I think I'm fortunate.
06:20You know, I wouldn't change it for anything.
06:22And, Marickey, is there any concern that you have for Elver?
06:27Concern?
06:27I wouldn't say concern.
06:30I just hope he's in great shape, you know.
06:33I just hope he's in great shape.
06:34Got any lines that you're going to give to him before this fight commences in the ring?
06:38You've got to watch, see, show time, and you never know with the magic man, baby.
06:44Antonio, thank you.
06:44We'll talk to you after the fight.
06:45All right.
06:46All right.
06:48Yeah, Antonio, always full of surprises.
06:51You never know.
06:51In the real ring, there's no safe opponent.
06:53This is not a movie set.
06:54This is not make-believe for Antonio Tarver.
06:57It is back to reality.
06:59And there's a subtle underlying sense of danger here.
07:02Yeah, maybe danger on two fronts.
07:03First of all, we don't know how a 38-year-old man coming off a lethargic loss is going to react one year later.
07:10That's for sure.
07:11And the second thing is Elver Marickey is a pretty live underdog in this fight.
07:15There are a number of writers on the Internet who have actually picked him to win this fight.
07:19And, Steve, this is his Super Bowl.
07:21He is as fired up and as prepared for this fight as he's been for any as a pro.
07:24All right, Al, and then there's Chad Dawson who returns to his home state, a conquering hero.
07:30Earlier this evening, the only current American light heavyweight champ spoke with Jim Gray.
07:36Chad, you're fighting here at home.
07:38Is there an added pressure for you because all these folks have come to see you?
07:42No added pressure.
07:43This is my third time fighting in Connecticut.
07:46Just a different town, you know.
07:47I'm just excited and I won't go out and put it on the show for everybody.
07:50How about the weight of being your first title defense?
07:52Oh, I mean, this is the thing I dream about, you know, the things I dream about.
07:56I dream about my first title defense.
07:58I dream about having 20 title defenses.
08:00So, I mean, I'm looking forward to that.
08:01I'm looking forward to the first title defense tonight.
08:03And, like I said, I just want to put it on the show.
08:06Has it crossed your mind or any concern that you may be looking past Ruiz?
08:10No, I'm not looking past Ruiz.
08:11You know, I'm in shape.
08:12I definitely know he's up for the task.
08:14You know, like I said before, anybody get a call for title shot, you know they're coming.
08:17They're coming and they're going to bring an A game.
08:19And I definitely bought my A game.
08:20So, just looking forward to a good show.
08:22A good fight.
08:23Now, should you win your fight, will you go out and watch Antonio Tarver?
08:27Oh, definitely.
08:27I'll definitely go out and watch Antonio Tarver.
08:30You know, Elvin Enrique's a tough fighter and Tarver's a tough fighter.
08:33So, it should be a good fight.
08:34It's a good fight.
08:35Now, we're here in your hometown.
08:37Have you seen this credential here tonight?
08:38Yeah, I've seen that credential.
08:39You've seen that credential.
08:40Yeah.
08:41Does it bother you that there's just that little itty-bitty picture of you right here and the big picture of Tarver?
08:46It doesn't bother me, no.
08:48Everybody knows who I am.
08:49It's my town, my city.
08:50So, I mean, it doesn't bother me at all.
08:52Are you being humble?
08:53Or does it bother you?
08:54No, it doesn't bother me.
08:55Actually, I mean, I know fans are here to support me.
08:57You know, it just so happens Tarver's happy to be on the show.
09:00You know what I mean?
09:00So, it'll get to see me and Tarver.
09:02All right.
09:03Chad, we'll talk to you after the fight.
09:04Best of luck.
09:07Jim instigating a humble Chad Dawson, though.
09:10Can he reinvigorate a division that has not been the same since Roy Jones was dethroned by Antonio Tarver,
09:17who in turn was humbled by Bernard Hopkins?
09:20With that in mind, tonight's text message question is,
09:25who do you think would win a matchup between Antonio Tarver and Chad Dawson?
09:30We invite you to text message your predictions to us right here at Showtime.
09:34To vote for Tarver, text T-A-R to S-H-O-T-V.
09:38That's 74688.
09:40Or to vote for Dawson, text D-A-W to S-H-O-T-V.
09:44That's 74688.
09:46Standard text messaging rates apply.
09:48Coming up from Hartford, Connecticut, it's our co-feature, undefeated local favorite, Chad Dawson,
09:55ready to make his first defense of the WBC light heavyweight title as it goes against Jesus Ruiz.
10:02For more, here's Al.
10:03Well, Steve, you know, the burden of proof in this fight is...
10:06Well, Steve, you know, the burden of proof in this fight is certainly on Jesus Ruiz.
10:12Back in 2004, he went to Australia to take on Paul Briggs in a title eliminator in the IBF.
10:18He was ranked in the top 10, and he fought very well, but he lost a controversial decision.
10:23However, since then, he's only fought one time, and that fight only went a minute and 20 seconds.
10:29And then you add to that the fact that Chad Dawson is the very first lefty he's ever faced as a pro.
10:35So when you look at that, it certainly looks like an uphill struggle for him.
10:38But his best punch might be the right punch for this match.
10:49And that Ruiz punch is a powerful right hand.
10:52Dawson was knocked down by such a right against Adamick.
10:56Ruiz fights poorly when he's backed against the ropes.
10:59Stay in the center of the ring is his mantra.
11:01Did I mention the right hand?
11:03And it's so important, I'll repeat myself.
11:05Ruiz has 17 KOs in his 19 wins, virtually all because of his right.
11:10He can deliver it in a variety of ways.
11:12In this case, it comes as an uppercut.
11:15To win tonight, the right hand must be there, and he'll follow with a good left hook.
11:19Dawson is a great body puncher, and it's especially good against a man who has fought only once in 32 months.
11:33Ruiz is not as effective going backwards.
11:36Dawson can pressure him.
11:37Now, known as a right hook artist, in his last fight, Dawson made it a crusade to show the world he has a good left hand.
11:44I say, do it again.
11:45The fabled Dawson right hook actually sets up the left.
11:49Tomas Adamick's left hand goes down, and the hook will come in.
11:58But all that action sets up the left hand.
12:03And Dawson more than proved in the Adamick fight he can throw this punch.
12:07The challenger, the very affable Jesus Ruiz, who grew up in abject poverty in Mexico, raised in an orphanage, living now in Long Beach, California.
12:29A gritty pro with some pop.
12:32However, only 23 fights in 13 years, including a three-year layoff due to burnout.
12:38Only two fights the last three years.
12:40His last was seven months ago.
12:43Somehow he's rated number 15 by the WBC.
12:46A few good guys on his resume, but nine of his opponents, including two of his last three, had losing records.
12:51And get this, you've heard of managerial problems.
12:55He's had 24 different managers.
12:57Al, clearly a huge step up for Ruiz, although he did drop Paul Briggs, something Dawson's last opponent, Tomas Adamick, couldn't do in the two wars he had with the rugged Aussie.
13:08Yeah, and he's hanging his hat on the fact that he's been a light heavy his whole career.
13:12Dawson's come up from 160.
13:13Daniel Ruiz, who specializes in that right hand, noted the Briggs fight.
13:17He thinks he can land that punch, and he thinks he can put Dawson down with it.
13:21Al, as you know, Ruiz is a renaissance man.
13:24He plays the guitar, and he works off a canvas of a different kind.
13:28He's also an artist who specializes in painting bullfights.
13:32At the press conference, Ruiz gave Dawson one of those paintings and said,
13:35Hey, Chad, I'll trade you this painting for the championship belt.
13:39I don't think Chad bought into that.
13:43I don't think Chad's a great game, but he's still playing.
13:5115-0 with 10 knockouts here in his backyard.
13:54He went from bad Chad to awesome Dawson overnight.
13:57He'll hear it from the hometown fans.
13:59Undefeated champion, New Haven's soft-spoken Chad Dawson, with a triumphant return to his home state.
14:06We've watched him grow literally here on Showtime, and he's followed other Showbox alums,
14:11Ricky Hatton, Jeff Lacy, who also became champs a middleweight just two years ago.
14:16He won the belt in his first title attempt, and it was a breakout victory, Al, over the aforementioned Tomas Adamek.
14:23It has been a meteoric rise for this skilled southpaw.
14:26Yeah, and you know, the danger in it is, he was so spectacular in that performance that the danger is for people to deify him early in his pro career.
14:35It's important for him to get these early wins and defenses, build a resume, and put himself in a position where he knows he's earned those kind of accolades.
14:43And, of course, he just cannot afford any semblance of a slip-up.
14:48He can't underestimate his opponent or look ahead to a possible showdown with Tarver.
14:54Well, with Chad, it truly is a family affair.
14:56His girlfriend, Crystal, on hand, along with his two sons, Prince, four years old, and Chance, seven months.
15:07The mother, Wanda, is to the left.
15:13His father, Rick, of course, in his corner, a former lightweight fighter who was a lefty, which is why Chad became a lefty.
15:23They're all here to support Chad and root him on here at home.
15:32All right, we're set for the numbers as we go to the tail of the tape here in Hartford.
15:36And as you will see, the numbers favor Chad Dawson.
15:40He's nine years younger than Ruiz, while the height is even.
15:44Dawson with the two-and-a-half-inch reach advantage at yesterday's weigh-in.
15:48Dawson, 174 Ruiz, 174 and three quarters.
15:53And the key unified rules for this world title affair, there's no standing eight count, no three knockdown rule.
15:59A fighter cannot be saved by the bell in any round.
16:02If an accidental headbutt causes a fight to end within four rounds, it's a no decision.
16:07After four, they go to the scorecards.
16:09If a punch causes a cut and the injured fighter can't continue, he loses by TKO.
16:13So here at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, we're getting ready for Chad Dawson versus Jesus Ruiz for the WBC Light Heavyweight Championship.
16:26Let's get the formal introductions from our ring announcer, Jimmy Lennon, Jr.
16:30Ladies and gentlemen, a very good evening to you and welcome to the Connecticut Convention Center here in Hartford, Connecticut.
16:42As we have a big night of action in store for you.
16:46And it's all brought to you by Joe DaGuardia's Star Boxing in association with Gary Shaw Productions, AT Entertainment, CES, Mohegan Sun and Showtime.
16:58This bow coming away is sanctioned by the World Boxing Council.
17:01President Jose Suleiman, Supervisor Luis Miguel Escalona, along with the Connecticut Department of Public Safety.
17:09Introducing to you our three judges scoring this bout from ringside.
17:14From Monterrey, Mexico, Jose Guerra.
17:18From West Hartford, Connecticut, George Smith.
17:21And from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Jack Woodburn.
17:25And now introducing to you our referee in charge of this bout, Johnny Cullis.
17:33All right, fans, here we go.
17:3612 rounds of boxing for the WBC Light Heavyweight Championship of the World.
17:47Introducing to you first on my right, the challenger fighting out of the blue corner,
17:52wearing red trunks with gold trim, fighting out of Long Beach, California, by way of Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico.
18:01He weighed in at 174 and three quarter pounds, with a hard hitting record of 19 wins and four losses.
18:09He has 17 big wins coming by way of knockout.
18:12Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the WBC number 15 ranked light heavyweight.
18:18Introducing Jesus, Chewy Ruiz.
18:28And his opponent across the ring on my left, the defending world champion, fighting out of the red corner,
18:35wearing red trunks with white and blue trim, and fighting out of New Haven, Connecticut.
18:42He weighed in at already 174 pounds, his record 23 wins, no losses, one no contest with 15 wins coming by way of knockout.
18:53Tonight, making the first defense of his title, here is the WBC Light Heavyweight Champion of the World,
19:01introducing the undefeated, Bad Chad Dawson.
19:15Once again, our third man of the ring, Johnny Callas, now to give instructions, 12 rounds of World Championship Boxing.
19:22Chewy, Chad, I gave you instructions in the dressing room.
19:37Protect yourself at all times, but above all, obey my commands at all times.
19:42First command is right this moment, I want you to touch gloves and enact a sportsmanship.
19:46The bell rings, come out fighting.
19:48Good luck to the both of you.
19:49What goes through the mind of the mother of a prize fighter?
19:56This is Wanda, the mom of hometown product Chad Dawson.
20:03And this crowd ready to rally behind Chad, along with Wanda, the rangy champion, cool, tactical, exceptional hand speed,
20:11lots of pop.
20:13Chad Dawson, a skilled lefty, but a natural righty.
20:17So, a very effective right hand, although the left is vastly improved.
20:22Ruiz, good size as you can see.
20:26He's aggressive.
20:27He's a battler, very tough kid.
20:28He can bang, but can he handle the lightning speed of the young champion?
20:32These early rounds, so important for Ruiz.
20:36Remember, he has fought one minute and 20 seconds in the last three years.
20:40So, he's got to get himself into this fight without getting blasted with something.
20:44And right now, Dawson, very accurate with his punching.
20:47And interesting, Ruiz, you alluded to it, a pro since 94, facing his first southpaw here.
20:52What a time for your maiden voyage.
20:55Yeah.
20:56Especially Dawson, who's such a skilled southpaw.
21:00And Dawson realizes Ruiz can punch.
21:03He's studied tape.
21:03Chewie, keep him in front.
21:04Keep him in front.
21:06He says he's not overlooking Ruiz, but it's a fight.
21:08Of course, he should win.
21:09And as mentioned, Ruiz did drop Paul Briggs, a quick right hand, in the second round.
21:17You know, originally, Paul Briggs was on the list of opponents they were trying to get.
21:22They could not land him for this fight, and that was where Ruiz came into the picture.
21:27Briggs, of course, had those two wars with Tomas Adamek as well.
21:30He's an action fighter.
21:32Three consecutive jabs by Chad Dawson.
21:37And that was a very effective weapon in the championship victory over Tomas Adamek.
21:42And it not only set up the power, but it was just pesky and bothersome.
21:48Dawson, an excellent body puncher.
21:51But that long right jab, so improved.
21:57Slashing left off top by Ruiz.
22:01One of the great weapons against the left, of course.
22:04Actually, there's the left hand, Dawson, which he made.
22:07He made a point of improving against Tomas Adamek.
22:10The left took a good weapon against the lefty.
22:12Ruiz, not known as the leftic artist.
22:14That's why he's going to try and land the right, which is his big punch.
22:17Keep the punches in front of the face, not in the back of the head.
22:20The instructions from Johnny Callis out of West Hartford, Connecticut.
22:25Just for the record, Dawson with four first-round knockouts.
22:29Nine of his 15 KOs within three.
22:31Ruiz, getting inside, had a string of first-round KOs, but mostly early in the career.
22:39And he comes off a first-round stoppage, but the opponent was 8-16-6 as Dawson goes on the attack.
22:45When round one, Jesus Ruiz has looked like a fighter who's only had one fight in three years.
22:57You can tell he's lunging a little bit.
22:59There's a lot of ring rust there.
23:00Time.
23:05Nice job, way to listen.
23:14What's that?
23:17You good, man?
23:19Water, water, water, water.
23:20You been talking about before?
23:23We've been out of this show.
23:24One, two minutes, brother.
23:26You been talking about before about D with that right hand?
23:29Well, Chad Dawson had himself an excellent first round.
23:34And early in the round, there were these combinations where he put his punches together.
23:39Now, not everything landed, but you see he punctuates it with that right hook.
23:43And that, of course, is his trademark.
23:45And from above, the left hand is so much better for Chad Dawson.
23:49He didn't use it very much early in his career, but has started to use it more now.
23:54And he credits that man, Floyd Mayweather Jr., now in his second fight with him for giving him that left.
23:59You get a problem when you say it, brother, you give it to the rope, man.
24:02Go, you get to here.
24:03Hit the body, okay?
24:05All right.
24:06Now that belt, and the first actually came eight seconds prematurely.
24:11Did you use your advocacy for that, or how did you know that?
24:16I did, because a little voice in my head told me from the production front.
24:21Ah, irresponsible.
24:24Round two, scheduled for 12 for the WBC Light Heavyweight Championship.
24:28Louie's just trying to shake the sweat free from his brow.
24:37Boy, there's got to be nothing more annoying or confusing for an orthodox fighter like Louie's
24:42to be fighting a lefty who often doesn't fight like a southpaw.
24:46He expects the lefty to normally throw the right jab.
24:50Thought about his straight left, but not typically the case with Dawson.
24:54They reminded Louie's in his corner to keep his left foot outside of the right foot of Chad Dawson.
25:10It's an important weapon.
25:11You see an important strategic point.
25:14When you do that, you can punch better against the left-hander.
25:19Yeah, very difficult to get your punches off if it's inside the lead foot.
25:23Exactly right.
25:24And also move to your left to stay away from the southpaw's power,
25:28although there's a beautiful right-left combination by Dawson,
25:31although Dawson has power in both hands.
25:33And that's another thing that, and he's a great body puncher, as you can see as well.
25:37He just went upstairs.
25:38Another thing he learned from Mayweather Sr.
25:41is to improve his combination punching,
25:44and he has been dazzling in that area.
25:47Good right over the top there by Dawson.
25:50Dawson just continues to bang away at Ruiz,
25:53and some of these are punishing shots.
25:56Ruiz keeps coming up short right there.
26:00Against Chad Dawson, you have to break his rhythm.
26:03Because when he gets into his rhythm and throwing these kinds of combinations,
26:05it's just very difficult to deal with.
26:08And against Adamek, Adamek couldn't really do that.
26:10He couldn't pressure him enough to make him break off his rhythm.
26:13Beautiful combinations by Chad Dawson,
26:23setting up the power punch with the right jab.
26:26Again, it's Ruiz coming up short on the uppercut.
26:30He doesn't want to get too close for obvious reasons,
26:33and he's just out of range.
26:35Now he fakes a shot, and he probably wishes he didn't
26:39because Dawson answered back.
26:46Ruiz's game, I'll tell you that.
26:52But an obvious difference in skill level.
26:54Well, the problem is the one thing he's pinning his hopes on,
26:57landing that right hand.
26:58He hasn't been in good position to throw the punch.
27:00He's been lunging with it.
27:01And Chad Dawson's not that easy to hit with that.
27:04But it took Adamek, what, 10 rounds to do it.
27:07When he finally dropped Dawson,
27:11which could have been chalked up to youthful cockiness.
27:16A hard body shot there at the end of the second round by Dawson.
27:25Okay, close it.
27:27Don't let him come forward, okay?
27:28Come in behind a couple of punches, and then stay there.
27:34Okay, don't punch from the outside because you're reaching for it.
27:38The footwork of these fighters, all important.
27:39You see Ruiz has his foot kind of parallel or a little bit on the inside
27:43of the lead foot of Dawson.
27:45He will try to move it outside.
27:47There he goes.
27:48And you see, that right hand had a chance to land at least
27:51because he got himself in the right position,
27:52but he lunged with the punch, and he just wasn't accurate with it.
27:55Now, Chad Dawson throwing lots of combinations,
27:58even though a lot of those were blocked.
28:00When you throw five punches, guess what?
28:02The last one, the straight left, will get there.
28:05Two.
28:06And stay there, and then let him have it.
28:08Okay.
28:09Okay?
28:09Just three or four.
28:10No more.
28:11All right, let's go.
28:12But don't reach.
28:13Trainer Mondo Guzman in the Ruiz corner has known Jesus 10 years.
28:18He's a deputy sheriff in the L.A. transit system out west in California.
28:23Saw him on the train platform one day.
28:25Hadn't seen him in years.
28:26They embraced, reunited, and he is in the corner of Jesus Ruiz.
28:32Worked with Famosa Hernandez in the past.
28:35He's got some experience.
28:36By the way, Al was talking about the tangled feet in round two.
28:41Their feet overlapped were touched at least 11 times.
28:47Nice right hook by Dawson.
28:49Wild swing and a miss by Ruiz, looking for the home run punch there.
28:54Ruiz getting more aggressive,
28:55and that might not be the best thing for him right now
28:57because Dawson is counterpunching well like that.
29:02Ruiz does have heavy hands but continues to miss.
29:05He grazed Dawson there.
29:09I don't think Ruiz has landed a right hand yet.
29:12But Dawson is landing with both hands.
29:16And a stiff left there by Chad Dawson.
29:27Don't grab the head.
29:28That's it.
29:35Good combination there by Chad Dawson.
29:41Straight right attempt by Ruiz.
29:44That's a good right hand by Ruiz.
29:46Starting to get that punch in just a little bit,
29:48and the person's going to have to if he expects to win this fight.
29:51And again, it was the straight right that dropped Paul Briggs
29:54in a WBC eliminator about three years ago.
30:01Although Briggs came back and won that comfortably on points.
30:07Now he's making Dawson miss a bit.
30:09You know, Dawson just a little out of position on some of those punches.
30:14Being a little overly aggressive and getting out of position,
30:17maybe taking Ruiz for granted a little bit here.
30:19Floyd Mayweather and Dawson worked on counter-punching a lot,
30:28knowing Ruiz would come after him, and he has done a good job of that.
30:32Dawson has been down three times in his 23 fights.
30:42Good moves there by Dawson.
30:43The bodywork of Dawson, very impressive early in this fight,
30:48and that is appropriate for him.
30:50And you want to do that against somebody
30:51who has not fought for a long time.
30:56The elusive Chad Dawson making a quick defensive win
31:00and then hammers to the body of Ruiz.
31:02You know, one thing I like about Jesus Ruiz,
31:05he knows the right hand's his ticket to winning this fight,
31:07and he's not shy about throwing it.
31:09At least he's trying.
31:10I can't stand fighters that have one big weapon and don't use it.
31:13Final seconds, round three.
31:18Chad Dawson in control.
31:22Oh, after the bell.
31:25Inadvertent shot by Ruiz in the midst of Dawson's rapid rise.
31:29He has been dropped in each of his last two fights, Al.
31:33Eric Harding was able to do it
31:35with a right hand from the southpaw's stance.
31:38Something came to a jab that put Chad Dawson down.
31:41And a right hand of a different kind
31:44from the conventional fighter Tomas Adamek.
31:46And this was a freight train right hand
31:47that landed perfectly.
31:49And Chad Dawson not only got up from this late in the fight,
31:52but also did well.
31:54Now, Jesus Ruiz hasn't landed many rights,
31:56but he did get this one in early in the fight.
32:00A nice one.
32:01He wants more of those.
32:04So that's the small chink in Chad Dawson's armor.
32:09And we'll see if Ruiz can continue to exploit it.
32:11You want to hit the body.
32:13You see what I'm saying?
32:15You ain't got to work on the head, but if you hit the body,
32:18stay at the body, okay?
32:19The only other time Dawson's been dropped,
32:27his 11th fight versus a man named Willie Lee,
32:31the only time he told us he's really been in trouble.
32:35But he came back to score a third-round knockout.
32:40Dawson undefeated, 23-0, 15 knockouts,
32:43fighting pro almost six years,
32:46born in Hartsville, South Carolina,
32:48but settled in New Haven, Connecticut.
32:52Father, a former fighter,
32:56quit the boxing world to support his family,
33:00took several jobs, security at public schools.
33:07This is a double right hook by Chad Dawson and the uppercut.
33:10The one thing about him is he has such a complete
33:14and diverse arsenal of offensive weapons.
33:24There's blood coming from the nose of Jesus Ruiz.
33:28Another right hand gets in for Ruiz.
33:31Occasionally he's able to slip that punch in.
33:33And a good left to the body by Dawson.
33:35Now Ruiz showing the signs of punishment.
33:49Right hand there by Ruiz.
33:51Dawson did not flinch.
33:53Dawson, intrepid, keeps coming forward with the left.
33:58Hitter-packed shots,
33:59but a good overhand right counter by Dawson.
34:01That nailed Ruiz up top and that made Ruiz stumble.
34:05Watch your head, baby.
34:06Watch your head.
34:07You know, it's not the Chad Dawson.
34:09He is not,
34:11I don't think at the place he's going to be
34:13as a defensive fighter.
34:14And that's one of the things Floyd Mayweather
34:15is very good at teaching.
34:18But he is so good offensively
34:21that he can get past any defensive errors he makes.
34:24And what makes him so effective,
34:26of course being a left-hander in this sport
34:27is such an advantage.
34:29But he's got such power in his right as well.
34:31Yep.
34:32That's it.
34:32Yeah, not every lefty, you're right, Steve.
34:34A lot of left-handers don't really have
34:36as powerful a right hook as he does
34:38to both the body and the head.
34:39As mentioned, a natural right-hander,
34:41but he took up a southpaw stance
34:43to emulate his father.
34:45Nice right hand there.
34:46There's that shotgun jab,
34:48three in a row, unanswered.
34:50Dawson again coming forward.
34:57Powerful shot to the body by Jad Dawson Ruiz.
35:02The body shot really hurt Ruiz.
35:05And how smart is Dawson?
35:06He goes right back to the body.
35:07Ruiz is in pain.
35:10But he's game.
35:11He has a lot of resolve.
35:13He comes forward.
35:14But you can see he is hurt.
35:15Boy, that was a rip buster,
35:19that shot by Dawson.
35:25And a right-hand clips Ruiz on the nose.
35:28Another one off the top of his head.
35:30A courageous Jesus Ruiz is getting punished.
35:42Let me breathe in, okay?
35:44You look good.
35:45You look good.
35:46You look good.
35:48He has no place of tongue.
35:50Let me breathe.
35:53Let me breathe, please.
35:54Okay, get him out of here.
35:55Give me some air.
35:55Give me some air.
35:56Give me some air now, man.
35:58A difficult round for Jesus Ruiz,
36:00and that's an understatement.
36:02It started out with the left hand of Dawson
36:05and then crushing body blows by Chad Dawson.
36:10He's kind of wincing at these shots.
36:15And Dawson is such a superb body puncher.
36:17And how smart is he to go back to that
36:19when he sees that there's a problem for Ruiz?
36:22A lot of fighters don't do that, believe it or not.
36:24Only one of Ruiz's four losses are by TKO.
36:35He's 19-4 with 17 knockouts.
36:37He has been very inactive,
36:41and he is getting stung over and over,
36:44particularly to the rib section,
36:46the body by Chad Dawson.
36:49And I'll use the quintessential word,
36:53crushing blows here by Chad Dawson in that last round.
36:57He gets great leverage on his body punches.
37:01His is Ruiz.
37:02You are right.
37:02He's courageous, and he's active.
37:04He keeps throwing punches in there.
37:06The problem is he's just walking into
37:08so many punches by Chad Dawson.
37:10It was a good jab by Ruiz.
37:11That punch has been hard for him to land.
37:15But, you know, if he can keep landing that jab,
37:17it might help him set up a right hand occasionally.
37:19These hard shots don't stop Ruiz from working,
37:22from coming forward.
37:24Let go of him.
37:26That's it.
37:26Our panel of press row scorers,
37:29Rich Scoop Mancuso from the Bronx News,
37:31John Silver from the Journal of Inquirer,
37:33Manchester, Connecticut,
37:34and Mark Snow from BoxingConfidential.com
37:37have it all the same.
37:39I agree.
37:39I have every round for Chad Dawson.
37:41Hard to give around to Ruiz.
37:45Well, he just winds up and telegraphs
37:47that right hand, does Ruiz.
37:50And that was just too easy for Dawson.
37:53You know, Ruiz has been able to land his jab
37:55a lot more in this round,
37:56but he's not following with the right as much as he might.
37:59He's throwing more lead rights.
38:00The lead rights are the ones
38:01that are certainly going to miss against Dawson.
38:04Ruiz continues to miss.
38:09Combination upstairs and to the body.
38:12Chad Dawson willing to take any chances now.
38:15I don't think he feels like Ruiz can hurt him,
38:17and he's taking a lot of risks
38:20as he comes in,
38:22but they're ones that are not a problem for him.
38:24Ruiz's corner,
38:25exploring him to come on Chewy punch.
38:28Chewy, a common nickname in Mexico.
38:31What a left hand up to the head by Dawson.
38:36Common nickname for fighters named Jesus in Mexico.
38:40This is just a dazzling display
38:43by Chad Dawson showing his hand speed
38:45with both the left and the right.
38:50Just canvassing the challenger.
38:53Low blow there by Dawson.
38:55Johnny Callas cautions him.
38:58No time for Ruiz to collect himself,
39:01though.
39:01You'd think they would have given him
39:03a little time,
39:04but he didn't get it.
39:05What a flicking right hand there by Chad Dawson.
39:24This continues to have his way here with Ruiz.
39:27A completely one-sided performance here.
39:37All Chad Dawson and, of course,
39:39his family enjoying the action.
39:41The mom, Wanda,
39:42the girlfriend, Crystal,
39:43on the right of your screen
39:44with the applause.
39:47No reason for them to get the stress thus far.
39:53It's all good.
39:55The mouthpiece is here.
39:59We'll take the mouthpiece for it.
40:02We will have fun.
40:03How you feel, baby?
40:05Huh?
40:05We're good.
40:06We're good.
40:06We're good.
40:07Chad Dawson having yet another great round,
40:10as he has throughout this whole fight,
40:12throwing body shots.
40:14It's one that went a little low.
40:15It didn't stray that low,
40:16but it was enough for the referee
40:18to at least warn him about it.
40:21You hear, man?
40:21It's down here.
40:23It keeps working.
40:24Back him up in one of them corners
40:25and go up there.
40:26Airbow, man.
40:28You didn't do the shot around here.
40:30It came up the middle.
40:33Let's go.
40:33Take it back, guys.
40:34You got your mouthpiece in?
40:36All right.
40:38Let's go.
40:38Now they were working on that left glove
40:40of Chad Dawson for some reason.
40:43Watch your kidney.
40:43Watch your kidney.
40:44Okay?
40:44Both you guys.
40:45Keep the punches in front.
40:46Evidently, it was a little too tight.
40:48They just tried to loosen it up
40:49so he could flex his fingers a little more.
40:51Hard to do that once it's early on.
40:54Legally.
40:55Good point, yeah.
40:57Round six scheduled for 12
40:58with a WBC light heavyweight championship.
41:01175 pounders.
41:03The modern-day version of the middleweight division.
41:05These heavyweights are so big.
41:07Yeah, it's true.
41:0830, 240, 250.
41:10175 doesn't sound so big anymore.
41:12Well, you are correct about that.
41:14And even the cruiserweight division now up to 200.
41:18You know, Jesus Ruiz, before he came here,
41:21his young four-year-old son was on his lap and said,
41:24Papa, you come back as champion?
41:25He said, of course, son.
41:27So far, unfortunately, six rounds in,
41:29it doesn't look like that for Jesus Ruiz.
41:31And he takes yet another combination from Chad Dawson.
41:37Oh, a backhander.
41:39Donnie Callis telling Chad Dawson,
41:42don't do that again.
41:44A backhand move by Chad Dawson.
41:46That's an illegal punch.
41:48It's astonishing how many right-hands Ruiz has missed
41:51and by how much he's missed that.
41:53And again, some of that you have to attribute to Ring Rust.
41:56He's only fought one time in three years,
41:58and that was only a minute and 20 seconds.
42:00Ruiz fought consistently from 94 to 97,
42:09went 15 and 0 in that span,
42:10but then got burnt out by the sport,
42:13didn't fight for about three years,
42:14got married, started a family.
42:17Came back in 2000, three straight losses,
42:20but he fought pretty good off position.
42:22Julio Gonzalez, Montel Griffin, Rodney Toney,
42:24all good fighters and officially had a great fight with Griggs,
42:28but now this is a long time from that.
42:32Dawson continuing to work
42:34and throwing excellent combinations.
42:37He just has every punch.
42:38Ruiz is rocked.
42:42Dawson jumping all over.
42:44Oh, a heavy left hand to the head.
42:48Counter steps in and stops the fight.
42:50A good stoppage by Johnny Callis, in my opinion.
42:53He was getting battled and pummeled,
42:57and there was just no reason to continue.
43:00And Johnny Callis, as Chad Dawson celebrates
43:03his first title defense in front of his home fans,
43:07Johnny Callis took that extra moment
43:10to make sure it was the right decision,
43:12but didn't take too many moments.
43:13It was a superb job by him.
43:16The doctor write in on Jesus Ruiz
43:18to make sure he is all right.
43:20That's our champion fight.
43:21Get the gloves off him.
43:23Get the gloves off him.
43:25Get the gloves off him.
43:31Mom is elated.
43:34The whole family able to celebrate.
43:36Take a big, deep breath.
43:38And a convincing victory for Chad Dawson in his first title defense.
43:55It's our job to make sure, okay?
44:00You want to stand up for me?
44:04Jesus Ruiz had absorbed a lot of punishment in this fight,
44:07but this was the point at which Chad Dawson really started to land some heavy shots.
44:14You see Ruiz wince in the corner,
44:16and the variety of punches, very impressive by Dawson.
44:19Uppercuts, straight lefts, hooks, everything you can throw,
44:24and very accurate with his punches.
44:26Even though he's throwing a lot of punches,
44:28he's still very focused and landing a tremendous percentage of them,
44:33and Johnny Callis steps in to stop the action.
44:37Really look at that.
44:38There's a double, triple right hook,
44:40a jab and an uppercut,
44:43a straight left hand,
44:44a couple of more hooks.
44:46The reason to call out these punches is
44:48it's just a great show of diversity in terms of his arsenal,
44:55and that is going to be a load full for anybody to deal with.
44:57Yeah, no knockdowns, but what an accumulation of punches
45:01by awesome Chad Dawson,
45:03who keeps the dream alive as world champion.
45:07Now, granted, Jesus Ruiz is not a top-light heavyweight.
45:11You just have to say that.
45:13But nevertheless, the technique of Chad Dawson merits praise.
45:18Well, in any event, he completes the first half of the boxing equation.
45:25Will Antonio Tarver cooperate in the second half?
45:28Let's get the official word from our ring announcer,
45:30Jimmy Lennon Jr.
45:31Come on!
45:32Ladies and gentlemen,
45:35we have the time of two minutes in round number six.
45:39A referee in charge, Johnny Callis, stops the contest.
45:42He is the winner by way of technical knockout.
45:45Still undefeated,
45:46and still the WBC light heavyweight champion of the world,
45:52Bad Chad Dawson!
45:56Jesus Ruiz,
46:10no match for Chad Dawson,
46:12as expected in his backyard.
46:14Dawson successful in his first defense.
46:17Well, with the Dawson fight in the books,
46:18tonight's text message question is,
46:21who do you think would win a matchup
46:22between Antonio Tarver and Chad Dawson?
46:25We invite you to text message your predictions
46:27to us here at Showtime.
46:29To vote for Tarver, text T-A-R.
46:31Another senior.
46:32Chad, how would you assess your performance tonight?
46:34It looked like you were in total domination to me.
46:36Yeah, I mean,
46:37you know, I knew he wasn't going to be able to get by the jab
46:39after the first round,
46:40once I got it popping too fast, you know.
46:43Basically, after the second round,
46:44I tried to win the fight with just my jab.
46:47I didn't use my left hand too much
46:48because it went a little bit numb.
46:50So, I just tried to say everything about my jab.
46:52And if you catch it with one good shot,
46:54Floyd told me to go to the body
46:55after the third round,
46:56I'll go to the body.
46:57I hurt him with a couple of body shots.
46:59And after that,
46:59just left hand took over.
47:01I caught one good left hand.
47:02Got through and hurt him.
47:04So, I'm going to try to finish it quickly if I can.
47:06Well, he's taught you that left hand, Mr. Mayweather.
47:08But it appeared as though
47:08there was something wrong
47:09with your left hand there in the fifth round.
47:11What was the problem?
47:11It went numb.
47:13Nothing.
47:14The glove was too tight.
47:15I think we tied the glove too tight.
47:17We were rushing in backstage
47:18trying to get ready.
47:19Tied it too tight.
47:20But, hey,
47:21couldn't go by the jab.
47:22You know, my jab,
47:22I think I have the best jab
47:23in the business right now.
47:25Thank you for letting me
47:25well see you.
47:26And, you know,
47:28I mean,
47:28everything comes off my jab.
47:29And once the jab gets to work,
47:30I mean,
47:31it's pretty much over.
47:32Chad,
47:32as we take a look here
47:33at the end of the fight,
47:34let's glance up here
47:35at the monitor
47:35and tell us what's going on here.
47:37Did you know that the end
47:38was in sight?
47:39Yeah.
47:40Once I took a body shot
47:41right there,
47:43hit to the head.
47:44And he was hurt right there.
47:45He could see it in his face.
47:46I saw it in his face.
47:47So I just went to finish him.
47:50Chad,
47:50to beat Ruiz,
47:51is there any significance
47:52to it,
47:53in it for you at all?
47:54I mean,
47:55I think I'm the first guy
47:56to stop him.
47:57I mean,
47:57so,
47:57I mean,
47:58that's good enough.
47:59So, I mean,
48:00he's definitely a tough guy
48:01and he's real strong.
48:02Even if he was missing the punches,
48:03I could feel the wind going
48:04by my face.
48:04It was hard,
48:04real hard.
48:05So I just had to stay away
48:06from the right hand.
48:06I know he got a good guy
48:07and I felt it a couple times
48:08when he caught me in the glove.
48:10So I just had to stay away
48:10from that
48:11and keep him up down
48:12with my jab.
48:12I know you'll rush back out
48:14here to watch Tarver.
48:14What are your thoughts
48:15on facing Tarver
48:16should he win this fight
48:17here tonight?
48:18I don't really have any thoughts.
48:19No, I'll fight anybody.
48:20I mean,
48:21Tarver thinks he's the best.
48:22Come on,
48:22you have some thoughts.
48:23No, I really don't.
48:23I mean,
48:24if Tarver gets by this fight
48:24and we come to an agreement,
48:26I'll promote to sit down
48:27and talk about it.
48:27If we come to an agreement,
48:28I don't have to fight Tarver,
48:29you know?
48:29I mean,
48:30Tarver's on his way out
48:31and I'm on my way up.
48:33You may not have some thoughts,
48:34but Mr. Senior,
48:35Floyd Mayweather Senior
48:36has some thoughts.
48:36What are your thoughts
48:37on a Tarver fight?
48:38I think the Tarver fight
48:40is right on time.
48:42I think right now,
48:44Chad is learning right now.
48:46He's learning like
48:47he's never learned before.
48:49As you can see,
48:50he never was a finisher.
48:52We've been trying
48:53to get him the finisher.
48:53I've only been winning
48:54for two fights,
48:55but this fight right here,
48:57hey,
48:57he's getting to show
48:59signs of being a finisher.
49:01Now,
49:01he's beginning to be
49:02a complete fighter.
49:04So,
49:04as you can see
49:05at Big Jay,
49:06I don't think,
49:06I don't think that
49:09nobody would have
49:09played this meal
49:10to say it.
49:11I think you're right.
49:11Floyd,
49:12thank you, Chad.
49:12Congratulations.
49:14Back to you, Steve.
49:15All right, Jim.
49:16Thanks very much.
49:16Two minutes,
49:17round six,
49:17TKO for Chad Dawson
49:19as we are set
49:21to take a look
49:22at the scoring
49:23for Dawson versus Ruiz.
49:25First of all,
49:25check out the official
49:26judges' scorecards
49:27and, of course,
49:28no surprise.
49:28In fact,
49:29a couple of the judges
49:31had a couple of rounds
49:33as you look at the scores
49:34at the time of the stoppage.
49:36A couple of rounds,
49:3610-8.
49:37Without a knockdown.
49:38Interesting way
49:38he did dominate
49:39those rounds,
49:40Dawson.
49:40I don't know
49:40whether we made him
49:4110-8,
49:42but clearly
49:42there's no argument
49:43that he won every round.
49:45Now let's see how
49:46Scoop Mancuso,
49:47John Silver,
49:48and Mark Snow
49:48saw it.
49:49Pretty much similar
49:50to the way
49:51the official judges
49:52saw it.
49:53That's exactly
49:54the way it was
49:54on my scorecard.
49:55All for Chad Dawson.
49:57So a dominant performance
49:59by awesome Chad Dawson
50:01who retains
50:02the WBC light heavyweight crown
50:04and remains unbeaten.
50:06Before we continue
50:07our coverage
50:08from Hartford,
50:09here's what's coming up
50:09in the near future
50:10on Showtime.
50:11Jack down,
50:14do it.
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