Unbeaten Dawson considers options

Chad Dawson is a man who appears to have options.

The two-time world light heavyweight champion is thinking he might have a future as a heavyweight. He also is considering a move down to super middleweight.

For the moment, Dawson will remain at 175 pounds, where he is scheduled to face Glen Johnson on Saturday in a rematch of their 2008 fight that Dawson won by unanimous decision.

"It's a possibility," Dawson (28-0, 17 knockouts) said of either option. "Going up to heavyweight intrigues me. But fighting in that (Showtime Super Six) tournament is also interesting. I've fought at 168 before, so it wouldn't be a problem."

Right now, Dawson's focus is on Johnson, who is 49-12-2 with 33 KOs. Dawson wrapped up his Las Vegas training camp Friday and flew back to Connecticut for the final preparations for the fight in Hartford's XL Center, which will be telecast by HBO.

"It was a good camp, no distractions," Dawson said. "That's why I love to train in Vegas. If I'm home (in New Haven, Conn.), I have a lot of people pulling at me. I would love to train at home and be near my family and friends. But I'm better off training in Vegas. I can focus there. That's why I've spent the last four years in Vegas to get ready for my fights. It's the best place for me to train."

Why would Dawson leave the light heavyweight division? He can't get a big-money fight in that weight class.

"He's in a rut," said Gary Shaw, who promotes Dawson. "He's fighting Glen Johnson for the second time. He's fought (Antonio) Tarver twice. What's he going to do, wait around for (Bernard) Hopkins to fight him? Chad has to look at all his options, which he will once this fight is over."

There has been speculation that Dawson might replace Jermain Taylor in Showtime's Super Six super middleweight tournament. However, Showtime spokesman Chris DeBlasio said Friday that Taylor still is in the event and there are no plans to approach Dawson.

"We have not talked to Chad Dawson," DeBlasio said. "There's no spot for him."

• REUNITED -- Once, they were the closest of friends. Then they became mortal enemies. Now, Mike Tyson and Don King are back together -- at least for one night.

The former world heavyweight champion worked as an analyst for King's fight card Saturday at Treasure Island. Tyson handled the color commentary for the undercard, which was available online through King's company.

"Oh, what a glorious day. My prodigal son has returned," King said. "It may be Halloween, but this is no trick. Mike is more than one of the greatest heavyweight champions in boxing history. He is a boxing historian, and nobody can break down a fight like Iron Mike."

Tyson seemed ready to put any lingering issues behind him.

"I have gratitude in my life now," Tyson said. "I have taken a lot in my life, and now I need to give. I never thought I'd live to be 43 years old. But now that I have, I need to give back.

"All things pass. I just felt like it was time to mend fences with Don."

When asked if he would consider a comeback, Tyson said, "It's not what I'm thinking about. I would need to work really hard and take a lot of vitamins because I'm fat."

• ZAB'S NEW OPPONENT -- First it was Ramon Montano. Then it was Adailton De Jesus. Now, Zab Judah will fight Ubaldo Hernandez on Friday in a 10-round welterweight main event at the Palms after De Jesus pulled out last week because he couldn't enter the country because of legal issues in his native Brazil.

Hernandez (22-19-2, 10 KOs) last fought on Oct. 19, 2007. He has lost three of his past five fights but has been in the ring with big-name fighters, including Miguel Cotto, Juan Diaz and Juan Antonio Lopez.

• COTTO ARRIVES -- Miguel Cotto flies into Las Vegas today to begin his final preparations for his Nov. 14 welterweight fight with Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Garden.

Fans are invited to welcome Cotto when his American Airlines flight touches down at McCarran International Airport at 3:55 p.m. He will train at the Top Rank Gym starting Monday. Cotto's training sessions are closed to the public.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.