IBF light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson (R) lands a punch on former champion Antonio Tarver, both of the U.S., during a light heavyweight title rematch in Las Vegas May 9, 2009 REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

IBF light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson (L) lands a jab on former champion Antonio Tarver, both of the U.S., exchange punches during a light heavyweight title rematch in Las Vegas May 9, 2009 REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

Antonio Tarver reacts after losing to IBF light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson following a rematch fight in Las Vegas May 9, 2009. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

IBF light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson (L) punches on former champion Antonio Tarver, both of the U.S., during a light heavyweight title rematch in Las Vegas May 9, 2009 REUTERS/ R. Marsh Starks (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

Former heavyweight Mike Tyson champion waits to watch the light heavyweight title fight between Chad Dawson and Antonio Tarver in Las Vegas May 9, 2009 REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

Chad Dawson of the U.S. (R) lands a right to Antonio Tarver of the U.S. during the IBF light heavyweight title fight at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 9, 2009. Dawson won the fight by unanimous decision. REUTERS/R. Marsh Starks (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

IBF light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson (R) and former champion Antonio Tarver, both of the U.S., exchange punches during a light heavyweight title rematch in Las Vegas May 9, 2009. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

Chad Dawson of the U.S. (R) throws a right to Antonio Tarver of the U.S. during the IBF light heavyweight title fight at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 9, 2009. Dawson won the fight by unanimous decision. REUTERS/R. Marsh Starks (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

Antonio Tarver of the U.S. (L) ducks a punch by Chad Dawson of the U.S. during the IBF light heavyweight title fight at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 9, 2009. Dawson won the fight by unanimous decision. REUTERS/R. Marsh Starks (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

IBF light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson (L) punches former champion Antonio Tarver, both of the U.S., during a light heavyweight title rematch in Las Vegas May 9, 2009. REUTERS/R. Marsh Starks (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

Chad Dawson of the U.S. (R) lands a punch to Antonio Tarver of the U.S. during the IBF light heavyweight title fight at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 9, 2009. Dawson won the fight by unanimous decision. REUTERS/R. Marsh Starks (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

IBF light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson celebrates his victory over former champion Antonio Tarver, both of the U.S., following a light heavyweight title rematch in Las Vegas May 9, 2009. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

Chad Dawson of the U.S. celebrates his win over Antonio Tarver of the U.S. to retain the IBF light heavyweight title at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 9, 2009. REUTERS/R. Marsh Starks (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

IBF light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson (R) punches former champion Antonio Tarver, both of the U.S., during a light heavyweight title rematch in Las Vegas May 9, 2009. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

IBF light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson (L) punches former champion Antonio Tarver, both of the U.S., during a light heavyweight title rematch in Las Vegas May 9, 2009. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

Antonio Tarver (R) connects on IBF light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson, both of the U.S., during a light heavyweight title rematch in Las Vegas May 9, 2009. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

IBF light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson (L) and former champion Antonio Tarver, both of the U.S., fight during a light heavyweight title rematch in Las Vegas May 9, 2009. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

Chad Dawson (L) of the U.S. and Antonio Tarver of the U.S. pose in a face-off following a weigh-in at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada May 8, 2009 ahead of their IBF light heavyweight title fight on May 9. REUTERS/R. Marsh Starks (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

Chad Dawson (L) of the U.S. and Antonio Tarver of the U.S. pose following a weigh-in at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada May 8, 2009 ahead of their IBF light heavyweight title fight on May 9. REUTERS/R. Marsh Starks (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

Antonio Tarver of the U.S. weighs in at 172 pounds (78 kg) at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada May 8, 2009 ahead of his May 9 fight against Chad Dawson of the U.S. for the IBF light heavyweight title. REUTERS/R. Marsh Starks (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

Chad Dawson of the U.S. weighs in at 175 pounds (79.4 kg) at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada May 8, 2009 ahead of his May 9 fight against Antonio Tarver of the U.S. for the IBF light heavyweight title. REUTERS/R. Marsh Starks (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

IBF light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson of the U.S. is seen during a news conference at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada May 7, 2009. Dawson will attempt to retain the title that he took from Antonio Tarver, also of the U.S., when the boxers meet for a rematch at the Hard Rock on May 9. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

Trainer Jimmy Williams (C) listens to speakers with former light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver (L) and trainer Buddy McGirt (R) during a news conference at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada May 7, 2009. Tarver will try to regain the IBF title when he meets IBF champion Chad Dawson, also of the U.S., for a rematch at the Hard Rock on May 9. Both fighters are of the U.S. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

Former light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver, of the U.S., attends a news conference at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada May 7, 2009. Tarver will try to regain the IBF title when he meets IBF champion Chad Dawson, also of the U.S., for a rematch at the Hard Rock on May 9. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

IBF light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson (L) and former champion Antonio Tarver, both of the U.S., pose face-to-face during a news conference at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada May 7, 2009. Dawson will attempt to retain the title that he took from Tarver when the boxers meet for a rematch at the Hard Rock on May 9. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

IBF light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson (L) and former champion Antonio Tarver, both of the U.S., pose during a news conference at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada May 7, 2009. Dawson will attempt to retain the title that he took from Tarver when the boxers meet for a rematch at the Hard Rock on May 9. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

Former light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver (R) of the U.S. works out with strength and conditioning coach Eric Hall in Las Vegas, Nevada May 6, 2009. Tarver will attempt to regain the IBF title he lost to Chad Dawson, also of the U.S., when the boxers meet for a rematch at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on May 9. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

Trainer Jimmy Williams wraps the hands of former light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver of the U.S. during a workout in Las Vegas, Nevada May 6, 2009. Tarver will attempt to regain the IBF title he lost to Chad Dawson, also of the U.S., when the boxers meet for a rematch at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on May 9. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

Former light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver of the U.S. is shown during a workout in Las Vegas, Nevada, May 6, 2009. Tarver will attempt to regain the IBF title he lost to Chad Dawson, also of the U.S., when the boxers meet for a rematch at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on May 9. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

Former light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver of the U.S. talks to reporters before a workout in Las Vegas, Nevada May 6, 2009. Tarver will attempt to regain the IBF title he lost to Chad Dawson, also of the U.S., when the boxers meet for a rematch at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on May 9. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

Former light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver (L) of the U.S. works on his timing with assistant trainer Joe Ponce in Las Vegas, Nevada, May 6, 2009. Tarver will attempt to regain the IBF title he lost to Chad Dawson, also of the U.S., when the boxers meet for a rematch at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on May 9. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

Former light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver of the U.S. has his hands wrapped by trainer Jimmy Williams during a workout in Las Vegas, Nevada May 6, 2009. Tarver will attempt to regain the IBF title he lost to Chad Dawson, also of the U.S., when the boxers meet for a rematch at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on May 9. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

Former light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver of the U.S. hits a speed bag during a workout in Las Vegas, Nevada, May 6, 2009. Tarver will attempt to regain the IBF title he lost to Chad Dawson, also of the U.S., when the boxers meet for a rematch at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on May 9. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

Former light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver of the U.S. hits a heavy bag during a workout in Las Vegas, Nevada May 6, 2009. Tarver will attempt to regain the IBF title he lost to Chad Dawson, also of the U.S., when the boxers meet for a rematch at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on May 9. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

Former light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver of the U.S. shadow boxes in front of a mirror during a workout in Las Vegas, Nevada May 6, 2009. Tarver will attempt to regain the IBF title he lost to Chad Dawson, also of the U.S., when the boxers meet for a rematch at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on May 9. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING) 

IBF light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson of the U.S. listens to a question during a news conference at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, March 17, 2009. Dawson will try to retain the title he took from Antonio Tarver, also of the U.S., when they meet for a rematch at the Hard Rock on Saturday, May 9, 2009. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/ Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING HEADSHOT) 

Former IBF light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver (R) of the U.S. poses with trainer Jimmy Williams during a news conference at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Tuesday, March 17, 2009. Tarver will try to regain his title when he fights IBF light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson, also of the U.S., in a rematch at the Hard Rock on Saturday, May 9, 2009. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/ Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING HEADSHOT) 

Antonio Tarver (L) and IBF light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson, both of the U.S., pose during a news conference at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, March 17, 2009. Tarver will try to regain his title when he fights Dawson in a rematch at the Hard Rock on Saturday, May 9, 2009. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/ Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING HEADSHOT) 

Former IBF light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver of the U.S. laughs during a news conference at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, March 17, 2009. Tarver will try to regain his title when he fights IBF light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson, also of the U.S., in a rematch at the Hard Rock on May 9, 2009. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING HEADSHOT) 

Chad Dawson (R) connects on IBF light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver during their IBF boxing title fight at the Palms Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada October 11, 2008. Both boxers are from the U.S. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES) 

Undefeated Chad Dawson celebrates his victory over IBF light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver after an IBF title fight at the Palms Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada October 11, 2008. Both boxers are from the U.S. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES) 

Referee Jay Nady motions Chad Dawson of the U.S. to a neutral corner as Antonio Tarver (L) of the U.S. stumbles during the IBF light heavyweight championship fight at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada October 11, 2008. REUTERS/R. Marsh Starks (UNITED STATES) 

Chad Dawson of the U.S. (R) lands a punch on Antonio Tarver of the U.S. during the IBF light heavyweight championship fight at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada October 11, 2008. REUTERS/R. Marsh Starks (UNITED STATES) 

Antonio Tarver of the U.S. (L) lands a punch on Chad Dawson of the U.S. during the IBF light heavyweight championship fight at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada October 11, 2008. REUTERS/R. Marsh Starks (UNITED STATES) 

Undefeated Chad Dawson poses after defeating IBF light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver after an IBF title fight at the Palms Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada October 11, 2008. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES) 

Chad Dawson (R) punches IBF light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver during their IBF title fight at the Palms Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada October 11, 2008. REUTERS/Marsh R. Starks (UNITED STATES) 

Chad Dawson (R) punches IBF light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver during their IBF title fight at the Palms Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada October 11, 2008. REUTERS/Marsh R. Starks (UNITED STATES) 

Chad Dawson (R) punches at IBF light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver during their IBF title fight at the Palms Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada October 11, 2008. REUTERS/Marsh R. Starks (UNITED STATES) 

Chad Dawson of the U.S. celebrates his unanimous decision victory over Antonio Tarver of the U.S. for the IBF light heavyweight championship at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada October 11, 2008. REUTERS/R. Marsh Starks (UNITED STATES) 

IBF light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver (R) is checked out in his corner during his IBF title fight against Chad Dawson at the Palms Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada October 11, 2008. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES) 

IBF light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver (L) connects on Chad Dawson during their IBF title fight at the Palms Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada October 11, 2008. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES) 

Chad Dawson (R) punches at IBF light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver during their IBF title fight at the Palms Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada October 11, 2008. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES) 

Chad Dawson (R) connects on IBF light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver during their IBF title fight at the Palms Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada October 11, 2008. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES) 

Chad Dawson (L) connects on IBF light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver during their IBF title fight at the Palms Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada October 11, 2008. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES) 

Antonio Tarver (L) of the U.S., promoter Gary Shaw and Chad Dawson (R) of the U.S. pose following a weigh-in at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 10, 2008 ahead of their IBF light heavyweight championship boxing fight on Saturday. REUTERS/R. Marsh Starks (UNITED STATES) 

Antonio Tarver (L) of the U.S., promotor Gary Shaw and Chad Dawson (R) of the U.S. pose following a weigh-in at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 10, 2008 ahead of their IBF light heavyweight championship boxing fight on Saturday. REUTERS/R. Marsh Starks (UNITED STATES) 

Antonio Tarver (L) of the U.S. and Chad Dawson (C) of the U.S. face off with promoter Gary Shaw (2nd L) during a weigh-in at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 10, 2008 ahead of their IBF light heavyweight championship fight on Saturday. REUTERS/R. Marsh Starks (UNITED STATES) 

IBF light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver (L) of the U.S. poses on the scale as undefeated former WBC light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson of the U.S. looks on during an official weigh-in at the Palms Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 10, 2008. Tarver will defend his title against Dawson at the Palms Resort on October 11. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES) 

Antonio Tarver of the U.S. displays his championship belts during a weigh-in at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 10, 2008 ahead of his IBF light heavyweight championship fight against Chad Dawson on Saturday. REUTERS/R. Marsh Starks (UNITED STATES) 

Chad Dawson of the U.S. weighs in at 174 pounds at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 10, 2008 ahead of his IBF light heavyweight championship fight against Antonio Tarver on Saturday. REUTERS/R. Marsh Starks (UNITED STATES)