Steve Marcus

Chad Dawson throws a punch on Antonio Tarver during their IBF/IBO light heavyweight championship fight Saturday night at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Dawson retained the title by defeating Tarver by unanimous decision.

By Andy Samuelson

Published Friday, June 12, 2009 | 12:30 p.m.

Updated Friday, June 12, 2009 | 12:52 p.m.

International Boxing Organization light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson must like rematches.

Fresh off his second straight victory over Antonio Tarver, Dawson (28-0, 17 KOs) is set to square off again against former light heavyweight champ Glen Johnson, who he defeated in a disputed unanimous decision victory in April of 2008.

While the contract has been inked, the fall date for the fight and location will be announced shortly, according to a press release.

Two weeks ago the 26-year-old Dawson, from New Haven, Conn., vacated his International Boxing Federation title rather than fight mandatory challenger Tavoris Cloud.

"On behalf of Chad, we thank the IBF for the opportunity to fight for its title and to defend it. It’s an honor Chad will always cherish. Now it’s on to bigger and better,” said Dawson’s promoter Gary Shaw.

“Chad looks forward to defending his International Boxing Organization title against the cream of the crop and unencumbered.”

Enter the 40-year-old Johnson (49-12-2, 33 KOs), who won Boxing Writers Association “Fighter of the Year” honors in 2004 when he defeated Clinton Woods for the IBF light heavyweight title, knocked out Roy Jones Jr. and won a 12-round decision over Tarver.

Since his close contest to Dawson, Johnson, a Miami resident, TKO’d Aaron Norwood and scored a unanimous decision victory over Daniel Judah in his home state.

“We think it's a terrific fight for Chad,” Kerry Davis, HBO's senior vice president of programming, told The Miami Herald in May.

“The first fight was a great battle and I think the second fight will be equally tough.”