The Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada was once again the scene of the explosive punching power of the new WBC light heavyweight champion, Adonis “Superman” Stevenson as he brutally took the title from the linear holder “Bad” Chad Dawson in one round.
Chad Dawson, 31-3, came into the fight off a loss to, super middleweight king, Andre Ward but was back in his natural weight division and was expected, by most, to make another successful defence of his belt.
The stare down during the referee, Michael Griffin’s, instructions was full of bad intentions, from both fighters. After the opening bell both southpaws tried to establish their right-hand jab, with Adonis the first to land a significant blow. One minute passed with both trying to get into position to land a big shot and establish dominance with the jab and then a haymaker, of a left hook, found the target of Dawson’s chin and the American went down hard. Chad beat the count but his legs looked stiff and the referee rightly called a halt to the bout.
Stevenson has long campaigned at super middleweight and everyone was aware of his immense punching power, but last night he showed that he has taken that power up to the higher weight class. He has the type of power that could take anyone out.
Chad Dawson hasn’t become a bad fighter overnight but he needs to regroup and take on a confidence booster type fight and then I’m sure, he can get right back in the mix.
Stevenson has plenty of options and is likely to face the winner of, the December, Jean Pascal vs Lucien Bute clash. That non-title fight takes place in the same venue, as both fighters are based in Canada. Before then is, likely, to be a mandatory defence against Englands Tony “Bomber” Bellew, 20-1-1 , who earned the right by defeating Isaac Chilemba, in May, over twelve rounds. A Stevenson vs Bellew fight would be guaranteed fireworks.
For now, ‘Superman’ can relax in the knowledge that his punching power works, against the very best, and any fans that were unaware of him are now going to be tuning in, to see the next exciting episode.