Las Vegas, NV -- (Sports Network) - Chad Dawson was quick and sharp in earning a unanimous decision over Antonio Tarver to stay undefeated and take Tarver's IBF light heavyweight belt.

Judges scored the fight 118-109, 117-110, 117-110 to crown Dawson the new champ.

The 26-year-old Dawson (27-0) had relinquished the WBC belt, which he defended three times, to meet Tarver (27-5), who was making his first defense. The 39- year-old Tarver won the belt in an April fight with Clinton Woods, which he won by decision.

The southpaw Dawson used superior hand speed and numerous combinations to keep Tarver on defense through the early rounds. Tarver's slower jabs and punches landed less frequently, and all scorecards favored Dawson through the first four, six and eight rounds.

The pattern didn't break as the bout reached its later stages, and Dawson kept his form despite having only four fights go more than 10 rounds to Tarver's 10.

Dawson got more aggressive as the fight went on, and with about 2:15 remaining in the 12th round landed a glancing blow to the right side of Tarver's head, knocking him backwards. Tarver wasn't knocked completed to the mat, but his gloves touched and Dawson was credited with the knockdown en route to the win.