Andre Ward vs. Chad Dawson: 5 Potential Superfights for Winner of Upcoming Bout

The upcoming Andre Ward vs. Chad Dawson fight could be a game-changer for both of their careers and lead to some big-money bouts for the winner. 

If Dawson wins, he will be the lineal champion in both the light heavyweight and super middleweight divisions.  

If Ward wins, he could shoot up to No. 3 on the pound-for-pound list and could become the new darling of HBO. 

With this being the biggest fight of both fighters’ careers, I am sure they will bring their best to the ring on September 15. Here is a list of five superfights the winner should look to make.

Andre Dirrell (20-1 14 KO’s) would be a great potential moneymaking fight for either Ward or Dawson. Dirrell is a flashy southpaw fighter and former Olympic teammate of Ward’s. 

Dirrell’s only loss came by a questionable split decision at the hands of Carl Froch in his native Nottingham. 

The Dirrell vs. Ward fight is something that was supposed to happen a couple years back, but Dirrell was unable to make the fight due to an injury suffered in his win over Arthur Abraham.

The matchup with Ward would be a lot like fighting Dawson in some ways, as both are tall and left-handed. The fact that the two of them are former teammates could be a great marketing tool for HBO, even if the fight doesn’t live up to the hype. 

Dawson vs. Dirrell also would be very interesting. It would be a matchup of two tall, slick southpaws both known for the boxing skills but not necessarily for their power. This fight does have the potential to be very ugly, as both fighters have been very defensive minded in the past, doing just enough to win the rounds. 

Dirrell has recently signed with the much-talked-about TMT (The Money Team) promotional outfit that rap star 50 Cent and Floyd Mayweather Jr. are behind. I am sure they will want to make their fights big events, and a matchup with either Ward or Dawson would be just that.

Jean Pascal (26-2-1 16 KOs) is another fighter that could be huge for either Ward or Dawson.

In Pascal, you have a former super middleweight and light heavyweight champion.  Pascal’s only two losses were to Bernard Hopkins and Carl Froch, and both were by decision.

Also, Pascal is the only man to defeat Dawson as a pro. 

The matchup of Dawson and Pascal would be a natural one. It would give Dawson a chance to avenge his only loss and Pascal a chance at another championship. Their first fight was in Canada and did big numbers there—I wouldn’t rule out a rematch in Montreal.

For Andre Ward, a Pascal fight could be huge, also. Pascal has a great resume and would be a nice notch on Ward’s belt. I think a Ward vs. Pascal matchup also would be best in Montreal or in Ward’s native Oakland. 

Pascal has been inactive for more than a year now, but he should be ready to go by the time either Ward or Dawson would want to fight next.

Kelly Pavlik (40-2 34 KOs) is not the same fighter he was a few years back, but a matchup between him and either Ward or Dawson could still be big.

Pavlik is on a four-fight win streak, albeit against limited opposition, but the Youngstown native could still be a moneymaker. 

Andre Ward vs. Pavlik could turn out to be a terrible matchup for Pavlik, but great at the box office. Ward would make it an ugly fight, in my opinion, by tying up the longer Pavlik and not allowing him to get shots off from the outside.

I think if this fight is in Atlantic City, it could do big numbers, as all of Youngstown would come out for this one. 

Dawson also could make a big payday against the coming-back former middleweight champion Pavlik. The matchup would be the classic puncher, Pavlik, versus the boxer, Dawson. Although at super middleweight, it doesn’t seem Pavlik packs the same wallop in his punches.

Carl Froch (29-2 21 KOs) is the hot name right now in the super middleweight division.

In his last outing, he decimated the previously undefeated Lucian Bute in five rounds in front of a sellout crowd in Nottingham.

With Froch recently having signed a showcase fight against Yusaf Mack, he should be available next year for the winner of Ward vs. Dawson. 

Ward already holds a win over Froch that came by a dominant 12-round decision, but with Froch’s recent win over Bute, he seems rejuvenated. I don’t think the result of a Froch vs. Ward matchup would be any different the second time around, but I still think it has the potential to do big numbers at the box office. 

It seems that during the last four years, Carl Froch has fought everyone in the super middleweight division. So, if Dawson is victorious over Ward, this fight only makes sense.

I don’t know how I see this fight turning out, to tell you the truth, but I would be intrigued to see it happen, and I don’t think I am the only one.

If Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (46-0-1 32 KOs) is victorious in his September 15 fight with Sergio Martinez, we will have a new pay-per-view star in boxing.

Actually, if Chavez loses but puts on a good performance, we will have a new PPV star on our hands. 

Chavez is seemingly huge for a middleweight, and an expected eight-pound move-up should be coming soon. A fight against either Ward or Dawson would be a great payday for all involved and would be a natural fit for Cinco de Mayo in Las Vegas next year. 

I honestly can’t say at this point where Chavez is at in his career, as he seems to get better with every fight. Three fights ago, I would have told you he had no chance against Ward or Dawson, but depending on how he looks next month, all that could change. 

I think a fight against the son of a legend would be the biggest matchup that either could get, and it could cement their superstardom in the sport.