Compiled by Michael Amakor
LAS VEGAS ODDS CONTINUE TO CLIMB IN FAVOR OF A WARD VICTORY OVER DAWSON ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 FROM ORACLE ARENA IN OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA (Sept 6, 2012) – The odds, which have been posted at all 10 of the MGM Resorts International Race & Sports Books in Las Vegas for the last month, show an increase in momentum for smaller, undefeated WBA, WBC and RING super middleweight world champion Andre “SOG” Ward (-380) over the bigger man WBC and RING light heavyweight titleholder “Bad” Chad Dawson(+300) in “WARD VS DAWSON: WORLD CHAMPIONS: MADE IN AMERICA” on Saturday, September 8, at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif.
Ward’s betting support has seen a late week surge to a four to one favorite over Dawson, pushing the earlier postings of Ward (-340) three-and-a-half to one over Dawson (+280) to a now impressive four to one favorite. The fight opened at a three to one favorite for Ward.
“Andre has done a tremendous job throughout his career of demonstrating his skills against the more experienced champions, as well as bigger champions,” said Dan Goossen, President of Goossen Tutor Promotions. “The odds are a sign that people are now recognizing the exceptional fighter that he is. There is no doubt in my mind, Andre is going to prove the odds are right on September 8 and take a further step to greatness.”
“Once again Chad seems to be the underdog in another big fight situation but that doesn’t deter him from believing in his ability to go in the ring and take care of business,” said Gary Shaw, President of GSP. “Chad doesn’t care that Andre is the favorite, the fight is in his (Ward’s) hometown or about his opponent’s recent wave of popularity. He is ready to fight and take Andre’s titles away from him on September 8. If I were a betting man, I would certainly take the better bet and that is Chad Dawson.”
PREDICTIONS
As in September, I once again ran out of gas in the 10th & 11th championship rounds of October & November with this column, but I recovered to complete them and will unleash a few more flurries to close out the 12th and final round.
In the first week of October, Hassan N’Dam won a UD over Curtis Stevens in an eliminator for the right to challenge Jermaine Taylor who defeated aging Sam Soliman to regain the IBF Middleweight title. How Taylor even earned this title shot is another story altogether, but it is all irrelevant as he is now the champion. However he will not have too much time to savor his victory as he has assault and battery charges pending against him and an upcoming court fight that may turn out to be the toughest fight of his life, just when things started to look up for him in boxing, we wish him luck.
