"To be honest, to stop and think about where we rank versus our competition is not a productive use of time," he said. "There are much better questions to ask, such as will Adrien Broner pass his welterweight test against Paulie Malignaggi, or is Lucas Matthysse the most feared man in sports, or can anyone slow Marcos Maidana down? Our ratings are way up. The excitement from the fans is at a fever pitch, and we are building toward a September event that might be the most significant fight in a decade."

Meanwhile, Saturday night's biggest victim faces another huge reclamation project.

A clear winner over Hopkins the last time he'd tasted success 15 months ago, Dawson arrived in Canada trying to purge his soul of the stench of a TKO loss to Ward last summer in Oakland.

Instead, the 76-second blowout creates an even more difficult challenge for "Bad" Chad as he tries to regain the mojo that once propelled him to the fringes of legitimate pound-for-pound lists.

It wouldn't be an easy road under the best of circumstances.

And his former trainer isn't sure a return is likely at all.

"Surprised it was so quick, but not surprised (Stevenson) bombed him," said ex-light heavyweight contender John Scully, who worked with Dawson for a pair of Hopkins fights and the Ward loss before the two parted ways. "The power and Chad's mental state were a bad mix.

"Coming off that bad loss, getting a new trainer and having to defend your title against a murderous puncher in his hometown is not a recipe to instill supreme confidence. Feels like he is done. I guess it will depend on his promoter and what type of strings they can pull at HBO."

* * * * * * * * * *

This week's title-fight schedule:

SATURDAY

IBO super flyweight title - Johannesburg, South Africa

Gideon Buthelezi (champion) vs. Edrin Dapudong (No. 16 contender)

Buthelezi (13-3, 4 KO): First title defense; Held IBO belts at 105 and 108 pounds

Dapudong (28-5, 16 KO): Third title fight (0-2); Lost to Buthelezi (SD 12) in November

Fitzbitz says: "The incumbent won close when the two met seven months ago, and little figures to change in a rematch on the champ's home turf." Buthelezi by decision

IBO strawweight title - Johannesburg, South Africa

Hekkie Budler (champion) vs. Nkosinathi Joyi (No. 3 contender)

Budler (22-1, 6 KO): Third title defense; Held IBO belt at 108 pounds (2010-11, one defense)

Joyi (23-1, 16 KO): Eighth title fight (5-1, 1 NC); Held IBF and IBO belts at 105 pounds

Fitzbitz says: "Joyi was considered the top man at 105 until a surprise KO loss last year, but it seems about time for him to regain previous status." Joyi in 9

WBO featherweight title - Dallas, Texas

Mikey Garcia (champion) vs. Juan Manuel Lopez (No. 4 contender)

Garcia (31-0, 26 KO): First title defense; Sixth fight in Texas (5-0)

Lopez (33-2, 30 KO): Twelfth title fight (9-2); Held WBO belts at 122 and 126 pounds

Fitzbitz says: "Garcia is positioned as the star Lopez was a couple years ago, giving the Puerto Rican plenty of motivation to reclaim past status. It says here he'll do it in a thriller." Lopez in 10

NOTE: Fights previewed are only those involving a sanctioning body's full- fledged title-holder -- no interim, diamond, silver, etc. Fights for WBA "world championships" are only included if no "super champion" exists in the weight class.

Last week's picks: 2-1

2013 picks record: 32-20 (61.5 percent)

Overall picks record: 495-172 (74.2 percent)

Lyle Fitzsimmons is a veteran sports columnist who's written professionally since 1988 and covered boxing since 1995. His work is published in print and posted online for clients in North America and Europe. Reach him at fitzbitz@msn.com or follow him on Twitter: @fitzbitz.