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In career-worst shape, "Bad" Chad Dawson was still far too much for the overmatched George Blades tonight on Showtime Extreme, knocking out the journeyman club fighter in the first round, easily overpowering his comeback opponent.
Dawson (32-3, 18 KO) ended a two-fight losing streak and a one-year absence with the win tonight. At yesterday's weigh-in, he looked exceptionally soft, coming in heavy at 182.8 pounds, and weighed in today at 202 pounds, effectively making him a heavyweight against Blades, a 5'9", 39-year-old hand-picked opponent who was overmatched the minute the fight was signed, and proved so in the ring.
One can't take much away from this win, however, as the nearly 32-year-old southpaw had every advantage in this fight, and even out of shape, he figured to face no resistance and did not.
"I'd like to step the competition up," he added, saying that he'd be looking to get active and target a world title shot again in 2015. He also said he'll be back at 175 pounds for his next fight.
Our live coverage continues here, with a swing fight likely up next on SHO Extreme following two early endings thus far, and then the main three bouts begin at 10:00 pm EDT on Showtime.