Glen Johnson successfully has sidestepped the fighter aging overnight traps. Two months shy of his 41st birthday, Johnson continues to defy age, remaining among the top light-heavyweight boxers the past six years.

Johnson will encounter yet another age-daring challenge Saturday night in Hartford, Conn. The Miami resident will fight Chad Dawson in a rematch of their first bout 20 months ago in Tampa, when Dawson won a disputed unanimous decision.

``This fight means a lot to me, it lets me know where I am,'' Johnson said. ``For one, I am 40 years old. If I can go out and dominate, that will let me know where I stand.''

Johnson believed he was the dominant fighter in his first bout against Dawson. Dawson retained his International Boxing Federation title and eventually won two successful title defenses over Orlando's Antonio Tarver.

But the fallout from the first Dawson-Johnson fight lingered. Officials at HBO, which will televise Saturday's fight, pressed Dawson's representatives into accepting a rematch against Johnson. Moreover, Johnson was recognized as the ``best fighter'' in an online survey of viewers who watched his bout against Dawson.

However, Nicolas Hidalgo, Peter Trematera and Jack Woodburn, the three judges who scored the bout, opted for Dawson's boxing skills. All three favored Dawson 116-112.

Judging could become central to the fight's outcome again tonight. Dawson (27-0, 18 KOs) is a Connecticut native and should be the prohibitive crowd favorite.

During his rise to the top of the light-heavyweight rankings, Johnson (49-12-1, 33 KOs) often has fought in opponents' hometowns, including three trips to England for title bouts against former champion Clinton Woods.

-- SANTOS A. PEREZ

RUNNING

• Miami Man: The Miami Man Triathlon, which has sold out with 2,000 participants will be Sunday at Larry & Penny Thompson Park, 12451 SW 184th St., and Miami Metrozoo. There is also an expo from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the park.

Distances are international (1000-meter swim, 22-mile bike, 6.6-mile run) and half iron (1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run). There is also a duathlon (1-mile run, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run). Visit multirace.com and miamimantriathlon.com.

-- JIM VARSALLONE

BASKETBALL

• Miami Dade College women 74, Jacksonville Community College 64: Dominique Collier led the Sharks to their first road win of the season with 25 points and 13 rebounds. Christal Wilkes had 19 points and 16 rebounds. Ashleigh Kelly had six points and 14 rebounds.

• FIU women 67, Nova 50: Senior Marquita Adley posted a double-double to lead FIU. Adley poured in 12 points and grabbed 13 rebounds -- seven offensive, and Fanni Hutlassa produced a game-high 13 points. Monika Bosilj contributed 12 points.

Nova jumped out to a 12-4 lead in the first five minutes before FIU guard Cherisse Buddy came off the bench to inject some life into the offense with eight quick points, including the go-ahead layup in transition.

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