Dawson didn't "quit" so much as get completely outworked, outclassed, and outboxed by a much better fighter. In my eyes, Ward is the second best pound-for-pound fighter behind Mayweather. Everyone always bitched that Ward couldn't put on a "show" like Mayweather, Pacquiao, etc., therefore never giving him a chance to be a real draw in the boxing world.
Well -- the guy has the ability to end a fight. His left hook was absolutely deadly for 10 rounds. As soon as he cut Dawson in the second, the fight was over. At least Dawson can go back to light heavyweight, because he's clearly not in the same class as Ward. I'm sure he'll have no problem fighting Jean Pascal again. Honestly, I'd love to watch him fight Tavoris Cloud in his next bout.