Dawson-Johnson II negotations begin

Rick Reeno of BoxingScene.com has learned that preliminary negotiations have begun regarding a rematch between Chad Dawson and Glen Johnson.

Should the fight come about, it would take place in the fall and be televised by HBO. Dawson and Johnson fought 12 hard rounds in April 2008, which resulted in a debated unanimous decision win for Dawson.

26-year old Dawson (28-0, 17 KO) is coming off of a second straight win over faded Antonio Tarver, which inspired few and drew a second straight dismal house in Las Vegas. 40-year old Johnson (49-12-2, 33 KO) has beaten Aaron Norwood and Daniel Judah in stay-busy fights since losing to Dawson, and has repeatedly called out anyone within earshot, including Dawson and the now-retired Joe Calzaghe.

Fight fans have been itching to see Dawson and Johnson settle what most of us believe to be unsettled business. I personally scored the fight a draw and could certainly see anyone's case for either man winning the fight, but frankly I've heard few vocal supporters say they think Dawson really won it.

Most distressingly, it was the aging "Road Warrior" who took it to the young titlist and wore him out over the distance, getting him in some deep waters late in the fight. It'd be nice to see if Dawson has really improved since then, or if he's just been matched easily against a well-past it version of Tarver. If Dawson is to become a star, cleaning out 175 would be a start, and past Calzaghe or Bernard Hopkins, Johnson's the man for him to fight.