Former light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson has hired Emanuel Steward as his head trainer, replacing Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, according to a news release from his promoter Gary Shaw.

Dawson lost THE RING championship and two major titles when he was upset by Jean Pascal of Canada in August, his first loss. A rematch is in the works for early next year.

“It was very frustrating watching Chad, who I think has an enormous amount of talent, fighting the wrong type of fight against Pascal,” Steward said in the release. “At this stage of my career, I’m only going to work with fighters who can achieve greatness, and I see greatness in Chad Dawson. Chad Dawson will regain his light heavyweight title and perhaps add titles in the super middleweight and cruiserweight divisions. He is that talented.”

Said Shaw: “Chad needed a change in direction, and we think Manny Steward is the perfect tonic. ÔǪ Much of Chad’s past success is owed to his former trainer, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad. But as they say, styles make fights, not just inside the ring but inside the gym, and after reflecting on several issues following the Pascal fight, a change in trainer seemed to be the prudent decision. However, with that said, I have the utmost respect for Eddie as a man and as a professional.”