By Ishe Smith

In response to https://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=30158

Mostly I stick to mailbags, Shay Days, and short stories. I mean I have never really came to the defense of any fighters in the short time that I've been writing, but right now I feel the need to and will.

First off Chad Dawson was in camp for two months, where Criscio got this idea that Chad was in camp for four weeks is beyond me. Chad started camp in June, he was in camp a month before I even fought [Fernando] Guerrero. 

Upon opening my camp in Vegas, I sparred Zab [Judah] for awhile, Zab then started working with some southpaws because his opponent switched a lot. After that I started sparring a lot of right handers. I was a little worried, but as my coach Eddie Mustafa would say, it doesn’t matter as long as we are getting the work in, and I think it showed July 16th that it didn’t matter, but honestly I would say 75 percent of my sparring were right hander’s. 

Chad arrived around the first week of June, maybe early second week, but he was definitely in camp a full eight weeks.  Eddie spoke with Chad and told him I was having problems getting southpaw work and Chad said he would help out, I took that as a honor that he helped me and sparred me about 4-6 times. Whenever you can spar one of the best fighters in boxing to prepare you it’s always going to be a positive situation. 

My last day sparring him was July 12th. I told him thanks for all his help. I really needed that closing camp and I told Eddie if they needed any work I would help him out when my fight was over.  I fought that Friday, and on that Tuesday, July 20th I went back to the gym and started helping Chad. I was one of about 6 sparring partners he had, so I don’t know why the hell Crisio would say it was a waste of time. He had great sparring, and worked his ass off for the fight against [Jean] Pascal. He just had a off night, and we have all been there. 

Don’t come on the record and say stuff about things you don’t know about. As I said I was one of about 6 sparring partners he had, ranging from middleweight all the way up to heavyweight.  One thing about me is that I am confident in my defense and my chin. Aould I spar Michael Grant, hell no, but I am confident from about 175lbs down.  Chad and I had some great sessions. I am not the one who divulges what the sessions where like, but they were good. Was I the main guy? No, I wouldn’t say that. He had bigger guys in there for that. There were some days where I wasn’t even in the rotation, but trust me when we worked we went all out.  I watched this guy go 15 rounds one day, 4 minute rounds with 30 seconds rest. He never went for 3 minute rounds. He always worked 4 to 5 minute rounds with only 30 seconds rest. So to say he wasn’t ready is understatement to me because he was.

As a father of three myself...I will say this, it’s hard being away from your kids for two months here and there. I don’t mind his wife being there, supporting her husband. Was she at the gym all the time? No she wasn’t. I may have seen her three times out of the eight weeks.  Boxing is so demanding, and mentally exhausting, there is nothing wrong with having the one you love there to support you. Maybe Crisio should applaud Chad for being a good dad, instead of putting him down.  I know I will never leave my kids for two months ever again I did that for the Sechew Powell fight and I told myself that was it. I missed them so much that my camp turned from being fun to being depressing.

In closing Chad had a off night and will be back, I can guarantee that. I don’t know about all the personal issues surrounding Chad, and frankly it is none of my business, all I know is he was a class act in camp and a great guy to help out.  Mike, here is a special word to you...if it was such a waste of time, why don’t you put your other fighter in there with me [Alfredo Angulo] and I will show the world what kind of waste of time it was when I kick his ass. I don’t need to say any names because everyone knows who I am talking about. 

Or better yet why don’t you worry about him taking some math classes and understanding the difference between $75,000 and $750,000. Chad keep your head up man. As someone wise once told me, you will find out who your real friends are when the smoke clears and the dust settles. Pay attention man…..