Johnson set for rematch

MIAMI, Florida (CMC):

Jamaica's world-rated light heavyweight boxer, Glen 'The Road Warrior' Johnson, is poised to secure his long-awaited rematch with the undefeated American, Chad Dawson.

On Tuesday, Dawson gave up his International Boxing Federation (IBF) belt after that governing body mandated that his next title defence should be against fellow American, Tavoris Cloud, the No.1 contender. But that bout against Cloud lacks the financial windfall of a Dawson-Johnson fight and the southpaw decided to relinquish the IBF crown to face Johnson instead, on an unspecified date.

"We're very excited, we're looking towards that fight," Johnson said.

"Hopefully, they'll give us a time, a place and a date," added Johnson, the Miami-based 40-year-old Jamaican.

Johnson has been clamouring for a second bout with the 26-year-old Dawson since they fought in April 2008 when Dawson won a disputed decision and retained his World Boxing Council (WBC) light-heavyweight title. Many ringside observers and TV viewers believed the judges' decision was unfair and that Johnson deserved the victory. Dawson won 116-112 on all the judges' cards.

Early indications are that HBO is interested in televising the rematch.