"I'm going to prove Tarver's not a better fighter than me, that he's over with," Dawson said this week at the Palms, where the two will square off Saturday at the hotel's Pearl Concert Theater. "I just want to shut that big mouth up."

Dawson (26-0, 17 knockouts, one no contest) voluntarily gave up his WBC title for a shot at Tarver, one he claims he deserved three years ago.

"The guy's been ducking me," Dawson said. "Everybody knows it. He finally stopped making excuses, and it's time we settle this."

The fight is part of a televised doubleheader on Showtime. The first part will feature Las Vegas' Samuel Peter, who defends his WBC heavyweight title against Vitali Klitschko in Berlin.

Dawson said his training camp at Johnny Tocco's Gym on West Charleston Boulevard went well. Working with trainer Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Dawson claims he's sharper, more focused and in the best shape of his life, physically and mentally.

"Eddie's taught me how to be a professional," said Dawson, who has been accused by some critics of losing his focus in his fights and leaving himself open to getting hit. "I'm seeing things better. I'm stronger. I'm better defensively. I'm slipping punches better."

How confident is Dawson's camp? His manager, Mike Criscio, put $50,000 in cash on the lectern during Wednesday's news conference and told Tarver to match it. When someone from Tarver's camp said, "Make it a hundred (thousand)," Criscio pulled another $50,000 out of a duffel bag.

No one from Tarver's side matched the $100,000 side-bet offer.

Dawson, a minus-240 favorite at the Palms' race and sports book, said his game plan is to try to win each of the 12 rounds.

"I never go into a fight looking for a knockout," he said. "I'm going in looking to win every round."

Dawson said that while his dislike for Tarver is genuine, he's not going to let his emotions get the best of him.

"I'll be under control," he said. "But he's given me extra motivation. Yes, it's very personal. I don't like the dude. I won't like him a year from now. I won't like him two years from now. I'll never like him. But I'm just going in there Saturday and taking care of my business. We'll see how much he talks after I punch him in the mouth."

At 26, Dawson is considerably younger than his opponent. Yet Tarver (26-4 19 KOs) has only three more professional fights than Dawson, and Dawson is quick to point out that Tarver's experience factor is vastly overrated.

"The reality is he doesn't have that much more experience," Dawson said. "He talks all this stuff all the time. I call him 'Anphoneyo' Tarver."

Dawson said he's eager to become a world champion again, and as he glanced at the IBF and IBO titles in front of Tarver, he envisioned himself walking out of the ring with the two.

"Those will be mine Saturday," he said, pointing to the large, jewel-encrusted belts. "Tarver will be nothing more than a bad memory when I get through with him."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@ reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.