The fight was more competitive the second time around, but the result was the same. Chad Dawson was better than Antonio Tarver.
Dawson retained his IBF light heavyweight championship with a 12-round unanimous decision Saturday at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel to improve to 28-0.
Judges Duane Ford and Patricia Jarman had Dawson winning 117-111, and Alan Davis had Dawson ahead, 116-112. But they were in agreement on only five rounds, indicating the fight might have been closer than the scores showed.
"I don't know if it was Tarver or I had an off night," Dawson said. "It wasn't my best performance, but he took me into the deep end and he made me a better fighter."
It was the first time in four career rematches that Tarver (27-6) was unsuccessful. He fought better than in his first meeting against Dawson on Oct. 11 at the Palms, where he lost a 12-round unanimous decision. But it wasn't enough to avenge the loss.
Dawson landed the more effective punches throughout and made Tarver miss plenty, even though Tarver actually threw the greater number of punches (749 to 677).
"I fought my heart out," Tarver said. "My jab worked better than it had in years, and I had him hurt a few times."
Dawson, who ranged from a 6-1 to 9-1 betting favorite in Las Vegas books, tried to make it a short night with a fast start. But despite rocking Tarver with some solid right hooks and combinations to the head, he was unable to take out the 40-year-old veteran.
After the third round, Dawson's promoter, Gary Shaw, ambled to his fighter's corner and in an expletive-filled tirade told Dawson to finish off Tarver.
"The frustrating thing is (Dawson) is so talented," Shaw said. "When he has a guy hurt, he doesn't finish him.
"I want him to be TV friendly. This was his first time fighting on HBO, and hopefully they'll have Chad back."
Try as he could, Dawson couldn't end it. Tarver occasionally stunned him, but could not sustain his attack when he had Dawson in trouble.
"I tried to stay in the pocket and land the big shot, but I couldn't do it," Dawson said of his strategy.
Many in the crowd of 2,156 were hoping Tarver could even the score. But Dawson was a worthy winner, and now he can put Tarver behind him and try to secure a big payday. Dawson made $800,000 Saturday to Tarver's $1 million.
Shaw said Dawson probably will return to the ring in October or November. Their preference is to remain at 175 pounds, perhaps against Mikkel Kessler. But there is the possibility Dawson will drop to 168 and fight Kelly Pavlik or Jermain Taylor.
Then there's Bernard Hopkins, who would want big money, somewhere around $5 million, to fight Dawson.
"I'm ready to move on," Dawson said. "(Tarver) was a worthy opponent. But now, I'm ready for the big-money fights."
Tarver said he's not sure if he will continue in the ring.
"I don't feel like a loser," Tarver said. "We gave as good as we took, and if we bow out tonight, I can live with that. But I still feel there's magic in my hands."
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.
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