Daniel Dawson – “I now know that I can mix it with the very best”

 
COMING off an impressive showing recently against former world champion and one of the boxing world’s elite, Austin Trout, Daniel Dawson sat down with Aus-Boxing’s own Dan Smart to discuss what was a rollercoaster of a fight, the injuries he sustained, knocking down Trout twice in the duration, and the exciting opportunities that lay ahead after taking it too one of the best in the world.

 
There is no greater test for any prizefighter than when he is either being beaten on the scorecards, or fighting injured. Daniel Dawson experienced both.

 
After starting like a house on fire and dropping Austin Trout twice in the third round of the fight, disaster struck. Enduring a badly torn calf muscle, a burst eardrum, a knockdown, and trailing on the scorecards, Dawson fought his way to the final bell winning the respect of the boxing world, not only here, but around the world as well.

 
Dawson explains, “I actually slightly strained the calf about six weeks out from the fight and stopped running for a couple of weeks.”

 
“During the fight our feet got tangled up in an exchange, I think it was the fourth or the fifth (round) and then I went to push off my back leg to throw a punch and just heard it (calf) pop.”

 
“Shortly after that, I think in the next round, I got hit with a right hook and just heard a ringing in my ear which affected my balance. Going into the latter part of the fight my head was starting to clear a bit but it still had an affect on me and I just felt I lost that balance and momentum.”

 
Dawson now truly sees himself as a serious contender in the talent stacked light middleweight division and who could blame him. Having gone the distance with Trout, it has given him that all important confidence needed to fight at that level. He says he now knows he can mix it with the very best at light middleweight and feels on his day, he can take it to names like Erislandy Lara, Saul Alvarez and the Miguel Cotto.

 
As a result of Dawson’s gritty performance, he has caught the attention of not only the boxing world, but leading boxing advisor, Al Haymon. Dawson tells Aus-Boxing that doors that have opened up for him overseas, despite losing to Trout by decision.

 
“There have been a few things mentioned, no names as yet, but fighting on big cards over there in December this year and March of next year, after speaking to Al Haymon and a few other guys. We’ve got some huge opportunities now and it’s going to be really excited being able to deliver some of the news coming up next.”

 
Firstly, Dawson has to attend to the calf he badly tore during the fight and says that rehabilitation is now under way in Perth.

 
“I am undergoing treatment as we speak and the medics have given me around 4-6 weeks until it’s fully healed. So no boxing, no running and no skipping but outside of that I can still do cardio and strength work using the rower, the stationary bike, and do some stationary shadow boxing with weights, all this will start as of Monday so I can get ready for December.”

 
Daniel Dawson is beaming with confidence and so he should be. Although beaten, he certainly wasn’t disgraced and as a result has now earned some great opportunities overseas.

 
We eagerly await what is next for him in what is a new and exciting chapter in his career.

 
 
Photo: Supplied
Words: Dan Smart