********* understands that a deal is done for the two conquerors of Roy Jones Jr. – Antonio Tarver and Glencoffe Johnson – to fight on December 18th at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Joe DeGuardia, of Star Boxing based in New York, is the promoter. ********* was unable to contact DeGuardia. The Tarver-Johnson fight would be televised live on HBO as a stand-alone main-event with the replay of the December 11th Vitali Klitschko vs Danny Williams pay-per-view opening the telecast.
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The Tarver vs. Johnson battle would be a true showdown between the two best light heavyweights in the world. Tarver made boxing history when he upended Jones who had been who had been generally regarded as the sport's pound-for-pound king. Tarver (21-1, 17 KOs) scored a spectacular one-punch knockout of Jones to seize the WBC/WBA light heavyweight titles on May 15th of this year. It was sweet revenge for Tarver who had lost a disputed decision to Jones in November 2003. IBF light heavyweight champion Johnson (41-19-2, 28 KOs) earned his spot as 175-pound ruler with a dominating performance and ninth round KO over Jones in September.
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Unfortunately for Jones the pairing of Tarver and Johnson represents the end of his era as a light heavyweight king. The consecutive brutal knockouts at the hands of Tarver and Johnson have forced the one-time pound-for-pound candidate to rethink his boxing career. Jones, who was part of the HBO commentary crew for the October 2nd Trinidad vs. Mayorga fight, has stated that he may retire from boxing and that he wishes to concentrate on the promotional end of boxing for the immediate future.
Tuesday, October 26 2004

Wow, so much for Paul Briggs.

********* understands that a deal is done for the two conquerors of Roy Jones Jr. – Antonio Tarver and Glencoffe Johnson – to fight on December 18th at the Staples Center in Los Angeles...
Excellent news. I heard earlier, that there are hearings about their fight, but I did not know date.

Big mistake for Tarver.He's rusty as nails after only fighting 2Rds this year and he's facing a tough ring warrior in Glen Johnson right off the bat.I think Tarvers in for a long night.

Big mistake for Tarver.He's rusty as nails after only fighting 2Rds this year and he's facing a tough ring warrior in Glen Johnson right off the bat.I think Tarvers in for a long night.

I agree, I'd normally pick Tarver to win but 35 year old world champions, partys and inactivity dont mix well.

I'm going 50/50 on this fight, it will be a hard battle.

i still think tarver will win no matter what

Ok, I like the sound of this matchup, although it boggles my mind. Did they originally have a date planned here that Tarver was suppose to face Roy if he won vs Johnson? I only say this because it's either HBO being *******s to Manny's managers saying there are no more dates available this year for Manny to fight or Manny's managers are talking a lot of red tape. Hmmmm...

Haha, I was just thinking. If Roy Jones Jr. commentates during this fight. I'm sure we'll hear, "Johnson better watch out for Tarvers left hand, it's a real buzzer, and Tarver better watch out for Johnson's right hand, it's unbelievable what a man that isn't known for having power can do with it. Just ask me, I was knocked TF out by both. Nobody can tell you the truth better than me :D "

If Tarver was going into this fight without the long layoff he's had,i'd be pretty sure he'll win, but that ring rust may give Johnson a lot more chances to hit Tarver for at least the first half of the fight. If Johnson can give Tarver enough punishment, round by round he has a good chance of wearing Tarver down

It all comes down to what style will Johnson bring to the fight. If he does chose to swarm. I wonder how it will work against a counter-puncher like Tarver.. I say he should start the early rounds by making Tarver come to him..

I personally give Johnson a great chance to win this one, after working the RJJ vs Johnson fight, and having heard upclose the sound of his punches landing, he has plenty of power. If he puts Tarver in a corner and manages to keep him there - he may just KO Tarver.

Here it is hard to give the forecast. But I think, that Antonio will win.

i want johson to knock tarver out and then i want someone to knock out johnson. i hate them both for beating roy jones

Should Johnson win. You know they're going to make an immediate rematch. Tarver is known for knocking *****es out in rematches..

Tarver has yet to fight a top notch pressure fighter like Johnson.Sure Tarvers beaten the likes of Griffin,Harding and Jones but all of those fighters are pure boxers that are not considered pressure offensive fighters.Heck,Harding knocked Tarver down and hes not even a big puncher with only 7KO's in 21wins. Johnsons a heavier hitter and is gonna pound Tarver all night long.Johnson showed in the RJ fight,that he can maintain a steady punch-rate the entire fight,so Tarver better be in the best shape of his life.

Johnsons gonna dominate Tarver to the point where theres no rematch and the only thing being in consideration will be Tarvers health.

i think AT wil box and win a UD.....

Tarvers KO over Jones could be considered a lucky punch. He lost the first fight (I know, it was controversial, but he wasn´t "cheated"...), lost the first round in the second fight, was going to lose the second round and then landed that big left :eek: ! - Johnson dominated Jones, which was quite impressive. I hope he wins that fight, cause in an open fight like this you can only go with the fighter you like more... .