By Brett Okamoto

Published Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009 | 3:41 p.m.

Updated Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009 | 6:44 p.m.

The World Boxing Council sanctioned the Nov. 7 bout between undefeated light heavyweight Chad Dawson (28-0, 17 KO) and former world champion Glen Johnson (49-12-2, 33 KO) for its interim light heavyweight title Thursday. The fight is the second meeting between the two, the first resulting in a unanimous decision win for Dawson in April 2008.

Dawson has been kept busy since that meeting by two 12-round bouts with former world champion Antonio Tarver. Dawson had originally vacated the WBC belt he won in 2007 to take a match with Tarver for the IBF light heavyweight belt. Ironically, he has now vacated the IBF belt for the opportunity to regain the WBC title.

Johnson became the world light heavyweight champion with a win over Clinton Woods in 2004. Some of his career moments include a knockout win over Roy Jones Jr., a 12-round decision win over Tarver and being named "Fighter of the Year" by the Boxing Writers Association of America in 2004.

Dawson, who is also the current IBO light heavyweight champion, has a history of being dodged by possible opponents and welcomes the opportunity to unify the WBC and IBO titles.

"Chad is thrilled that the WBC has sanctioned this fight as it gets him one step closer to regaining the first world title he ever won and even closer to unifying the titles which has always been the goal of both fighters," said Dawson's promoter Gary Shaw. "We are grateful to the WBC for seeing the value and the importance of the Dawson-Johnson rematch to the fans and to the division."

Dawson-Johnson II will be fought in Hartford, Conn. and broadcast live on Nov. 7 on HBO World Championship Boxing.