On Saturday, Oct. 11, SHOWTIME will present a blockbuster double header from two locations as IBF/IBO light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver takes on undefeated "Bad" Chad Dawson in one of the most highly anticipated fights of the year. On the same night, Sam Peter will defend his WBC heavyweight championship against Vitali Klitschko in his first fight since retiring in 2004.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN...

Don't be mistaken. This fight is NOT for light heavyweight supremacy. That distinction belongs to Joe Calzaghe's clash with Roy Jones Jr. In fact, this fight may not even determine who will challenge the winner of Calzaghe–Jones as that honor may go to the winner of next week's showdown between Kelly Pavlik and Bernard Hopkins. However, this matchup does tell us where each guy stands right now and when considering the importance of the fight, that's a lot.

If Chad Dawson continues his undefeated run, this fight will signal that first big name that he needs to take his career to the next level. Dawson went life and death in defeating Glen Johnson, who's a tough, active, difficult opponent, but not a marquee name. If Dawson handles Tarver, he will have that big name which, when added to an undefeated record, makes for the foundation of a real solid resume and nice title run that will also include wins over Glen Johnson and Tomasz Adamek.

Antonio Tarver is the best light heavyweight in the world, an all-time great, the man who ruined the myth of Roy Jones Jr...just ask him...he'll tell you that and then some. While he may be blowing things a bit out of proportion, Tarver has done well for himself. The only time he was outclassed in there was when he fought the best version of Bernard Hopkins we have seen since 2001. Tarver tells us Dawson is hype, has a glass chin and has never seen anything like him. Well, Magic Man gets to prove it on Saturday. With a win, Tarver may also get a chance to prove to everyone that Hopkins got a lucky win over a weak version of himself, that Calzaghe is afraid of him and that Roy will get stretched one more time if they ever fight again. It all starts with a win over Dawson though.

WHEN THE BELL RINGS...

Each fighter is going to look to impose their own style imprint on this fight in order to get things going their way from the outset. This won't be a case of each guy imposing their will. Instead, this will be each guy looking to fight the way they want this to go...and in neither case does that mean a shootout.

Both fighters have talked tough and promised a knockout, but don't buy it. This is a technical fight from start to finish.  In Dawson's case, he's going to use his legs and lightning fast combos to bank rounds and avoid being countered.  In Tarver's case, he's going to look to disrupt Dawson with his jab and make him over extend himself coming in so he can land his big left hand whenever he sees the opening.

As time has passed, the one thing I have noticed about Tarver is that his legs look progressively worse. He has always been very heavy on his front leg when looking to mount his offense and he leans way back when avoiding punches, but he always seems to look stuck in place when trying to move between defense and offense. The Clinton Woods fight was no exception as Woods came forward with a big target on his head all night long, making it easy on the Magic Man.

Chad Dawson has continued to improve, even in his razor close decision win over Glen Johnson, a fight that many felt he lost. That was a learning experience for Bad Chad and I think he will be a better fighter because of it. Johnson's unbelievable chin, constant pressure and high work-rate troubled Dawson. Tarver does not possess the same traits, style or stamina. Dawson will be able to work when he wants and avoid contact when he wants.

Early on, Tarver will find it difficult to pull the trigger against Dawson, who will use loads of angles, constant movement and a solid defense to keep Tarver off balance and stuck in place. Tarver is smart though and he isn't going to allow that to happen without taking mental notes, which is why Dawson needs to be careful because if there's one danger here, it's Tarver's ability to time him.

After the first 4 or 5 rounds, Dawson's athleticism and commitment to boxing will tell the story. Tarver will need to get something going and it will not be easy. Stamina issues aren't going to show up here for Dawson like they did against Johnson. As I said, different fighter and a different fight. By the 9th round, it will become increasingly clear to Tarver that he is not going to be able to win this fight by counterpunching and allowing Dawson to lead all night. While there is still the chance of timing him, Tarver will realize that he hasn't as of yet so he'll be forced to step on the gas. The problem is that it's just not his game when his opponent is willingly laying on the ropes.

THE CALL...

Chad Dawson is the one that will determine the outcome of this fight. If he stays disciplined, let's his legs and combos do the work and doesn't get careless and allow Tarver to land that big shot, he wins. Tarver, who will need to get to the younger man to win, just won't be able to keep up with Dawson at this point in his career.

After dominating the first half of the fight, Dawson will start thinking it's easy in there. That's when I expect Tarver to wake him up with something big. A knockdown would not surprise me in the least, but Dawson will regroup and be okay.  Using his speed, a return to careful and technical boxing will lead him to a decision victory. Expect something like a 116–112 or 115–112 decision here for Dawson.

BONUS BREAKDOWN: THE HEAVYWEIGHTS...

Admit it...you're excited to see what Vitali Klitschko and Samuel Peter bring to your TV on tape delay Saturday night.  Let this be your final reminder to stay off the messageboards and websites until the broadcast of this one concludes.

Samuel Peter has stopped improving. We saw gradual progress up through the Jeremy Williams fight, but after that, it just stopped when he fell in love with his highlight reel knockout. In the second James Toney fight, Peter gave us a brief glimpse of an improved version of himself for one night, but it was short-lived and had as much to do with Toney being so much smaller as it did with Peter fighting a good fight.

Vitali was always the less fluid and less skilled of the brothers Klitschko, but he was also more effective. He knows how to use his size in there better than Wladimir. He has a real good chin and he isn't afraid to club you out of there if he sees the chance. In other words, he possesses a nasty strike that little brother seems to be lacking. 

Early on, the rust will be apparent as Klitschko simply looks to get his legs under him. At the same time, don't expect Peter to allow it to happen. Vitali will back up and hold on while Peter storms forward and swings wildly. The key for Klitschko is to make it out of the first few rounds and get comfortable. 

This fight is so hard to make a pick on because we really have no clue what to expect out of Vitali, but I do know that if we see even a small semblance of what he gave us against Danny Williams nearly 4 years ago, this would be a lock.  So what does that all mean? I don't know.

Give me Vitali Klitschko by 8th round stoppage as he clubs Samuel Peter with something huge when The Nigerian Nightmare waltzes in carelessly. Once Peter is hurt, Klitschko will bang him out of there and the family dream of the two brothers as champions will be realized. I can't lie, I am kind of excited about this one. call it a thirst for the unknown.