Dawson V Ward

The world's best super-middleweight meets the world's number one light-heavyweight this weekend.

The clash between Andre Ward and Chad Dawson has the makings on paper of being a real blockbuster with Dawson coming down a weight to challenge the unbeaten Oakland sensation.

"I think Ward is a great fighter," Dawson said. "I studied him for years. I've been watching him. I knew one day we would be fighting."

"I've kept tabs on Chad for a very long time," said Ward. "We had the same managerial team years ago when Dawson used to be managed by James Prince and I'd ask, 'How's Chad?' not necessarily trying to scout him out but because I'm a student of the game.

"I've followed Chad for many years. I know a lot about Chad. I got a lot of respect for Chad. We didn't pick Chad because we saw weaknesses.

"We picked Chad because he's the best in his division and I'm the best in my division, and when's the last time two fighters in separate divisions met because they were the best?"

Ward unified the WBA and WBC super-middleweight titles with a wide decision over Britain's Carl Froch last December and was ringside to see Dawson defeat veteran great Bernard Hopkins in April.

And it was after that fight that Dawson made his desire for a clash with Californian known.

07/09/2012 22:12:51