okay. I have not heard the magic man discussed lately. Why, I dont know. This guy is dangerous, and mark my words. He will completely outclass Glen Johnson in their next fight. I have said it once, and will say it again. He is the best fighter between 170 and HW and will completely demolish his opposition. His southpaw style, is nothing to brag about....yes. He had a mediocre performance against RJJ in their first outing....yes. I dont like him personally, but you can not take away from the fact that he is a ruthless machine, who is going to get his way. Regardless. Who do you think will win the rematch with Johnson, and why.

Because I actually foresee Tarver stopping Glen via T.K.O. Lets hear the "no way". That was what everyone was saying before the second RJJ fight.

I think Tarver will try harder this time and win by UD.

Tarver might get a UD againt Glenn but I don't see a tko stoppage.

In their first match I think they both came in saying they were ready but toward the middle of the fight from what I saw, I think they both might have taken each other a bit lightly.

Glenn was screaming to just his punches out there, while Tarver didn't look so hot either. I think he even looked a bit scared.

I think Tarver's win over RJJ gives him a litte bit more than the win Glenn got, RJJ had already been totally ktfo by Tarver and when Roy stepped in with Glenn he looked like he didn't want to be there and I think that was due to Tarver.

Tarver should have won that last match imo, I was walking out of the room because I thought they would give it to him, when they said it was Glenn I was a bit shocked.

In the end I don't think Glenn has the power to stop Tarver, I think he is going to come into this fight with better conditioning than he had last time, BUT, I think Tarver just took Glenn a bit too lightly last time. I think we should look out for him to be more focused and on the money, I like Glenn and I hope he pulls it off, but I am gonna say Tarver wins UD

Glen is going to get knocked out this time around. Tarver had him hurt the first time, and he's going to finish the job. Antonio Tarver fought him all wrong the first time. He tried to win the fight on the score cards, but in their next fight, he's going to knock him out.

Antonio Tarver is a **** head, why the hell can't he get a fight right the first time it always has to be the second time around.

He got the **** beat out of him by Eric Harding, fought him again and was getting his ass kicked and then hit him with a one punch bomb that not only ended the fight but basically ended HArding's career as a title contender.

He fights Roy and pisses the fight away by going on vacation for 5 rounds and he can't understand why he didn't get the decision.
Second time around he does absolutely nothing in the first and then gets the homerun in the second.

Damn against Glenn he again takes off way too many rounds and cannot back up all of the talk leading up to the fight...he was clearly the better fighter but he was also the lazyier fighter...

He will beat Johnson but who cares...Tarver is a lazy fighter and expect more of the same once he gets by GJ...He will lose his next fight post GJ on account of being a lazy dumbass.

For those who thought that judges didn't get the decision right against Johnson...the problem is that once you start taking rounds off judges can kill you. I noticed this again recently in the Mormeck - Braithwaite fight. Mormeck was killing him but then he took the last three rounds off and it came close to costing him the decision. One of the judges even had it as a draw, minus the points taken off from Braithwaite for the knockdown and the holding.

It might not seem right but it seems that as soon as you start taking it easy it's tough to win rounds again. De La Hoya suffered the same thing against Trinidad. Might not seem right, but at least it's a good lesson to not get lazy.

I have to agree with scap a lil. WTF is with him having to take 2 attempts to beat fighters!? He could have beat Glenn the first time but was to lazy. I think he will KO/TKO him this time around. At the very least a UD.

I think its more like him taking a while to figure someone out. The reason he took so many rounds off, it the first RJJ fight was because he was looking for the big shot. If you noticed, in the second fight he was extending the jab better and the shot the left hand. Glen Johnson will be no different I think. The fight will lull for a few rounds, then Tarver will figure him out and punish him. I think, if he does get past Johnson, he should challenge Mormeck for the cruiserweight title. He would outclass him with his superior boxing ability, and I dont think adding 20 lbs for the weigh in would be that much trouble....because he has a heavyweight's frame. Johnson and Mormeck have rock solid chins...yes. I dont think they would necessarily hold up against Tarver though.

For those who thought that judges didn't get the decision right against Johnson...the problem is that once you start taking rounds off judges can kill you. I noticed this again recently in the Mormeck - Braithwaite fight. Mormeck was killing him but then he took the last three rounds off and it came close to costing him the decision. One of the judges even had it as a draw, minus the points taken off from Braithwaite for the knockdown and the holding.

It might not seem right but it seems that as soon as you start taking it easy it's tough to win rounds again. De La Hoya suffered the same thing against Trinidad. Might not seem right, but at least it's a good lesson to not get lazy.

Good point and Tarver is a classic example of a guy who will let the refs get him because the guy can't fight a complete fight.

I think its more like him taking a while to figure someone out. The reason he took so many rounds off, it the first RJJ fight was because he was looking for the big shot. If you noticed, in the second fight he was extending the jab better and the shot the left hand. Glen Johnson will be no different I think. The fight will lull for a few rounds, then Tarver will figure him out and punish him. I think, if he does get past Johnson, he should challenge Mormeck for the cruiserweight title. He would outclass him with his superior boxing ability, and I dont think adding 20 lbs for the weigh in would be that much trouble....because he has a heavyweight's frame. Johnson and Mormeck have rock solid chins...yes. I dont think they would necessarily hold up against Tarver though.

Damn, Tarver - Mormeck could be a good one. Thing is Mormeck has like no defence so there's a chance it could end soon. Actually, sorry, he has two styles of defence: absorbing punches into his enourmous frame, and running away after he's up on points. He did look good with that jab in the later rounds, though, os if he worked from the outside more he might have a chance. Still, I say he goes after Tarver early because that's the kind of fighter he is...and then he gets pelted enough that he gets worn down in a hurry. Even Braithwaite was giving him trouble in the middle rounds when he was throwing rights to the body.

This is all dependent of Tarver actually working hard enough in the fight to win. As we've all said, that is a big if.

Damn, Tarver - Mormeck could be a good one. Thing is Mormeck has like no defence so there's a chance it could end soon. Actually, sorry, he has two styles of defence: absorbing punches into his enourmous frame, and running away after he's up on points. He did look good with that jab in the later rounds, though, os if he worked from the outside more he might have a chance. Still, I say he goes after Tarver early because that's the kind of fighter he is...and then he gets pelted enough that he gets worn down in a hurry. Even Braithwaite was giving him trouble in the middle rounds when he was throwing rights to the body.

This is all dependent of Tarver actually working hard enough in the fight to win. As we've all said, that is a big if.

Not only that, but Braithwaite fought a retarded fight against Mormeck. Why in the hell was he so intent on throwing to the body? that was beyond me. He should have focused on landing power shots upstairs. Tarver's handspeed supercedes both of the fighters, and I think hits just as hard, if not harder than braithwaite. I see it the same way, Mormeck would get bombed after a while....from being overly agressive. He wont be facing a bodypuncher who backs straight up while throwing. He will be facing a headhunter who will actually take the fight directly to him. Alot of people also forget, Tarver is a brawler also. And more skilled at that.

Glen is going to get knocked out this time around. Tarver had him hurt the first time, and he's going to finish the job. Antonio Tarver fought him all wrong the first time. He tried to win the fight on the score cards, but in their next fight, he's going to knock him out.



If he couldn't KO Johnson the 1st time,he aint KOing him this time.Johnsons pressure exposed the ***** in Tarver last time,and if Tarver goes for the KO early in the rematch and fails,Johnsons gonna tire him out with bodyshots and KO him late.


Dont forget the Av/sig bet JTR.I already have them made for ya,lol.

.Johnsons pressure exposed the ***** in Tarver last time.

It was a light heavyweight showdown between two recent knockout conquerors of fading superstar Roy Jones Jr. and when it was over, almost everyone felt that Antonio Tarver had done enough to defeat a game Glen Johnson. Everyone, that is, except two of the judges and that enabled Johnson to come away with a controversial split decision 12-round victory Saturday night on HBO’s World Championship Boxing showcase from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Both fighters gave up their versions of the light heavyweight championship in order to face each other and they put on an entertaining show, trading punches for 12 rounds. The taller Tarver threw more punches, landed more punches and appeared to land the harder shots. Johnson stalked Tarver throughout and did some solid work to the body but it was Tarver who seemed to be landing the cleaner and more effective shots.

Tarver connected on 296 of 853 total punches (35 per cent), including 220 of 497 power shots (44 per cent) and 76 of 356 jabs (21 per cent). Johnson landed 217 of 796 total punches (27 per cent), including 140 of 371 power shots (38 per cent) and 77 of 425 jabs (18 per cent). Tarver appeared to have a clear advantage in at least six rounds and a slight edge in at least two others but when the judges’ cards were tabulated, only Marty Denkin of California saw Tarver winning by a 116-112 margin. Judges Melvina Lathan of New York and Chuck Giampa of Nevada had it 115-113 for Johnson. Tarver outlanded Johnson by margins of 37-14, 33-11, 31-17 & 33-16 in rounds two, six, eight and twelve, averaging 87 punches thrown per round. He didn’t sustain that work rate over twelve rounds however, as he threw just 26 punches in round one, 36 in the fifth and 38 in the tenth.

Johnson clearly won the opening round, when Tarver threw only 26 punches and landed only four while Johnson connected on 14 of 57. Tarver turned on the offense in rounds two and three, outlanding Johnson 37-14 in the second and 35-20 in the third. After each fighter landed 26 punches in the fourth, Johnson had a 21-12 advantage in the fifth. Johnson sustained a slight cut near his eye in an accidental clash of heads in the sixth and Tarver produced his best round, outlanding Johnson 33-11, with 28 of the connects being power shots.

The rugged Johnson rallied in the seventh to outland Tarver 27-21 but Tarver took control again in the eighth and ninth after a tongue-lashing from trainer Buddy McGirt. He outlanded Johnson 31-17 in the eighth and 22-14 in the ninth and appeared to be on his was to a victory. All three judges had Tarver leading through nine rounds. But Tarver suddenly decided to coast through the 10 th and it may have cost him as Johnson landed 11 of 58 punches while Tarver connected on 11 of only 38.

The 11 th was fought at a furious pace, with Tarver landing 26 of 100 punches, his highest output of the fight, including 23 power shots, and Johnson connecting on 26 of 85, 13 of them power shots.

Tarver let his hands go in the 12 th. He rocked Johnson twice and dominated the first 2 ½ minutes before Johnson staged a last-gasp rally. Tarver landed 33 of 83 total punches in the 12th, including 29 of 57 power shots, while Johnson connected on just 16 of 64 total punches, including 11 of 34 power shots. Despite the huge edge in connects, both Giampa and Lathan gave Johnson the 12 th round for his margin of victory.

All three judges gave Johnson the 10 th but Denkin gave Tarver the last two rounds while Giampa and Lathan had Johnson winning the last two. While all three judges had Tarver winning after nine rounds, Johnson emerged as the winner by taking the final three rounds on Giampa’s and Lathan’s scorecards.

“I thought I did enough to win the fight,” said Tarver, who fell to 22-3. “I landed the harder cleaner shots. I threw more punches and I hurt him a couple of times. I hurt my left hand early in the fight when I hit him on top of the head but I didn’t let it stop me. I kept throwing and I feel I did enough to win the fight. I’m definitely ready to do it again.”

“It went my way for a change,” said Johnson, who has often been the victim of curious officiating. “I was holding my breath when they announced the winner and thankfully it went my way this time. I trained hard and pushed the fight for 12 rounds and I think that’s what did it for me. He never hurt me. He caught me a couple of times when my feet weren’t set properly and knocked me off balance but I was never hurt.”

Johnson, who raised his record to 42-9, also said he would welcome a rematch.

“Sure, let’s do it again,” said Johnson. “Antonio Tarver is a great fighter. I think it was a terrific fight and one which the public would enjoy seeing again.”

For the record, most ringside observers felt Tarver had won. Jones, who was handling ringside color for HBO, felt Tarver was the winner as did broadcasters Jim Lampley and Larry Merchant and HBO judge Harold Lederman.

Robbery plain and simple. Threw more, Landed more, and could not have won the fight in a more clear fashion......aside from knocking him out, which he will do next time. I am tired of judges giving the fights to busier people in the championship rounds. That is whack.

He was holding his breath right before the judges announced the scores. Exposed? Nope. And even in this case....Johnson was not really busier....throwing punches. More like clinching and grabbing.

It was a light heavyweight showdown between two recent knockout conquerors of fading superstar Roy Jones Jr. and when it was over, almost everyone felt that Antonio Tarver had done enough to defeat a game Glen Johnson. Everyone, that is, except two of the judges and that enabled Johnson to come away with a controversial split decision 12-round victory Saturday night on HBO’s World Championship Boxing showcase from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Both fighters gave up their versions of the light heavyweight championship in order to face each other and they put on an entertaining show, trading punches for 12 rounds. The taller Tarver threw more punches, landed more punches and appeared to land the harder shots. Johnson stalked Tarver throughout and did some solid work to the body but it was Tarver who seemed to be landing the cleaner and more effective shots.

Tarver connected on 296 of 853 total punches (35 per cent), including 220 of 497 power shots (44 per cent) and 76 of 356 jabs (21 per cent). Johnson landed 217 of 796 total punches (27 per cent), including 140 of 371 power shots (38 per cent) and 77 of 425 jabs (18 per cent). Tarver appeared to have a clear advantage in at least six rounds and a slight edge in at least two others but when the judges’ cards were tabulated, only Marty Denkin of California saw Tarver winning by a 116-112 margin. Judges Melvina Lathan of New York and Chuck Giampa of Nevada had it 115-113 for Johnson. Tarver outlanded Johnson by margins of 37-14, 33-11, 31-17 & 33-16 in rounds two, six, eight and twelve, averaging 87 punches thrown per round. He didn’t sustain that work rate over twelve rounds however, as he threw just 26 punches in round one, 36 in the fifth and 38 in the tenth.

Johnson clearly won the opening round, when Tarver threw only 26 punches and landed only four while Johnson connected on 14 of 57. Tarver turned on the offense in rounds two and three, outlanding Johnson 37-14 in the second and 35-20 in the third. After each fighter landed 26 punches in the fourth, Johnson had a 21-12 advantage in the fifth. Johnson sustained a slight cut near his eye in an accidental clash of heads in the sixth and Tarver produced his best round, outlanding Johnson 33-11, with 28 of the connects being power shots.

The rugged Johnson rallied in the seventh to outland Tarver 27-21 but Tarver took control again in the eighth and ninth after a tongue-lashing from trainer Buddy McGirt. He outlanded Johnson 31-17 in the eighth and 22-14 in the ninth and appeared to be on his was to a victory. All three judges had Tarver leading through nine rounds. But Tarver suddenly decided to coast through the 10 th and it may have cost him as Johnson landed 11 of 58 punches while Tarver connected on 11 of only 38.

The 11 th was fought at a furious pace, with Tarver landing 26 of 100 punches, his highest output of the fight, including 23 power shots, and Johnson connecting on 26 of 85, 13 of them power shots.

Tarver let his hands go in the 12 th. He rocked Johnson twice and dominated the first 2 ½ minutes before Johnson staged a last-gasp rally. Tarver landed 33 of 83 total punches in the 12th, including 29 of 57 power shots, while Johnson connected on just 16 of 64 total punches, including 11 of 34 power shots. Despite the huge edge in connects, both Giampa and Lathan gave Johnson the 12 th round for his margin of victory.

All three judges gave Johnson the 10 th but Denkin gave Tarver the last two rounds while Giampa and Lathan had Johnson winning the last two. While all three judges had Tarver winning after nine rounds, Johnson emerged as the winner by taking the final three rounds on Giampa’s and Lathan’s scorecards.

“I thought I did enough to win the fight,” said Tarver, who fell to 22-3. “I landed the harder cleaner shots. I threw more punches and I hurt him a couple of times. I hurt my left hand early in the fight when I hit him on top of the head but I didn’t let it stop me. I kept throwing and I feel I did enough to win the fight. I’m definitely ready to do it again.”

“It went my way for a change,” said Johnson, who has often been the victim of curious officiating. “I was holding my breath when they announced the winner and thankfully it went my way this time. I trained hard and pushed the fight for 12 rounds and I think that’s what did it for me. He never hurt me. He caught me a couple of times when my feet weren’t set properly and knocked me off balance but I was never hurt.”

Johnson, who raised his record to 42-9, also said he would welcome a rematch.

“Sure, let’s do it again,” said Johnson. “Antonio Tarver is a great fighter. I think it was a terrific fight and one which the public would enjoy seeing again.”

For the record, most ringside observers felt Tarver had won. Jones, who was handling ringside color for HBO, felt Tarver was the winner as did broadcasters Jim Lampley and Larry Merchant and HBO judge Harold Lederman.

Robbery plain and simple. Threw more, Landed more, and could not have won the fight in a more clear fashion......aside from knocking him out, which he will do next time. I am tired of judges giving the fights to busier people in the championship rounds. That is whack.

He was holding his breath right before the judges announced the scores. Exposed? Nope. And even in this case....Johnson was not really busier....throwing punches. More like clinching and grabbing.



Do judges have the exact rd-by-rd punchstats?.hmmmmm....

Well,if Tarver would have won the championship rounds,he would have won and we wouldn't be arguing whether or not the decision was controversial or not.So,blame the falling,fatiued and staggering Tarver for the so called "Controversial decision".You cant take away the heart and determination Johnson showed though,he was moving foward from bell to bell.Only three months after his emotional high victory over Jones,he stood his own against the next best lt.heavyweight in the World in Tarver.

Download this clip.Basicly all the reasons you need on why Tarver lost the fight.

For the record, most ringside observers felt Tarver had won. Jones, who was handling ringside color for HBO, felt Tarver was the winner as did broadcasters Jim Lampley and Larry Merchant and HBO judge Harold Lederman.


The HBO commentary was so bias that night.Everytime Johnson had a good round,Jones would say "Tarvers just resting",or if Johnson landed a good shot he would say "Tarvers playing possum".I dont know how many times Lamps discredited Johnson workrate by mentioning his lack of punching power.

I was glad Johnson got the decision,because I think the HBO crew knew they were way off that night.

Do judges have the exact rd-by-rd punchstats?.hmmmmm....

Well,if Tarver would have won the championship rounds,he would have won and we wouldn't be arguing whether or not the decision was controversial or not.So,blame the falling,fatiued and staggering Tarver for the so called "Controversial decision".You cant take away the heart and determination Johnson showed though,he was moving foward from bell to bell.Only three months after his emotional high victory over Jones,he stood his own against the next best lt.heavyweight in the World in Tarver.

Download this clip.Basicly all the reasons you need on why Tarver lost the fight.

Okay I see though. But come on, LOL. That clip was biased, and if Tarver was the one who won the fight, they would have showed all the times he staggered Johnson. Nobody is taking away the heart and determination Glen showed, but If a fight is scored by rounds...I dont see why Glen won the fight. Yes, I do realize he was the champion and Tarver had to win decisevly in order to take the titles from him....and I think he did that. The 116-112 scores by the two judges were just plain wrong. You have good points, and I suppose we would have to wait for the rematch to see the real outcome.

That fight was controversial as hell, and it will take a knockout for Tarver to win the next fight, and I think he realizes that. I am really looking foward to the rematch, because I think it will be a war. Tarver being the hungrier of the two...should come out on top.

Damn, Tarver - Mormeck could be a good one. Thing is Mormeck has like no defence so there's a chance it could end soon. Actually, sorry, he has two styles of defence: absorbing punches into his enourmous frame, and running away after he's up on points. He did look good with that jab in the later rounds, though, os if he worked from the outside more he might have a chance. Still, I say he goes after Tarver early because that's the kind of fighter he is...and then he gets pelted enough that he gets worn down in a hurry. Even Braithwaite was giving him trouble in the middle rounds when he was throwing rights to the body.

This is all dependent of Tarver actually working hard enough in the fight to win. As we've all said, that is a big if.baithwaite is better the tarver

baithwaite is better the tarver

What makes you say that? If he was better he should have beat Mormeck. Mormeck had some pop in his shots and he can take a punch well, but Braithwaite beat himself by fighting dumb dumb dumb. Who has Braithwaite beat that would make him better than Tarver?

baithwaite is better the tarver

Im not a huge Tarver guy but Wayne is a piece of ****...I was very dissappointed with his performance against JMM, he looked like he had absolutely no clue what to do in the ring that night.

Even when big truck is on top of his game he looks like an amateur.

What makes you say that? If he was better he should have beat Mormeck. Mormeck had some pop in his shots and he can take a punch well, but Braithwaite beat himself by fighting dumb dumb dumb. Who has Braithwaite beat that would make him better than Tarver?
big truck punches with both hands much harder then tarver and has a better jab ...he did fight a dumb ass fight he underestimated mormeck. but mormeck would walk through tarver

big truck punches with both hands much harder then tarver and has a better jab ...he did fight a dumb ass fight he underestimated mormeck. but mormeck would walk through tarver

I disagree, but I am interested to see how Braithwaite bounces back from this loss. Do you think he will smarten up in the ring? He better if he wants to get his career back on track.

If I were to say a one sentence summary of the entire fight that I remeber this would be it:

Glen was attacking the entire time and Tarver spent most of the time covering up.

Thats why he won.

If I were to say a one sentence summary of the entire fight that I remeber this would be it:

Glen was attacking the entire time and Tarver spent most of the time covering up.

Thats why he won.

I totally agree. It's like he's afraid to take a punch.

that signature is disgusting.

I can't believe it has nothing to do with Star Wars.

from scap

"Damn against Glenn he again takes off way too many rounds and cannot back up all of the talk leading up to the fight...he was clearly the better fighter but he was also the lazyier fighter...

He will beat Johnson but who cares...Tarver is a lazy fighter and expect more of the same once he gets by GJ...He will lose his next fight post GJ on account of being a lazy dumbass."

This I agree with wholeheartedly. I had Tarver winning the Johnson fight in rounds 8-4, but he took a few rounds off for no apparent reason--he didn't look tired--and just didn't "close the show," much how he failed to do against Roy in their first fight. It's maddening, the guy could be P4P top 5 it seems if he just stayed motivated and fought with fire like a Tszyu or Castillo or Morales or, the epitome of an overachiever, GLENCOFFE JOHNSON...hell, even a fraction of that kind of fire would carry him to greatness. Alas...

I want Tarver to win this fight pretty, and then get a heavyweight title fight with Toney, but I think Toney has blown that by coming in to tomorrow's fight too heavy...argh!

Tarver vs. Toney, imagine THAT presser, forget Mayo vs. Vargas...

okay. I have not heard the magic man discussed lately. Why, I dont know. This guy is dangerous, and mark my words. He will completely outclass Glen Johnson in their next fight. I have said it once, and will say it again. He is the best fighter between 170 and HW and will completely demolish his opposition. His southpaw style, is nothing to brag about....yes. He had a mediocre performance against RJJ in their first outing....yes. I dont like him personally, but you can not take away from the fact that he is a ruthless machine, who is going to get his way. Regardless. Who do you think will win the rematch with Johnson, and why.

Because I actually foresee Tarver stopping Glen via T.K.O. Lets hear the "no way". That was what everyone was saying before the second RJJ fight.
Antonio Tarver is a decent fighter- but he is hardly a "ruthless machine." He can (and has) been beat. He runs out of gas in every single fight that goes the distance, he has an overrated left hand, and he can get buzzed without a whole lot of difficulty. It's not that he is a bad fighter, but he's certainly nothing special. Glen Johnson can certainly beat him again. Of course Tarver could certainly beat Johnson. It's a real decent fight and if I had to bet, I say Tarver UD because Johnson seems to have forgot to train.

Excellent comment and you're right- Harding kicked the living hell out of Tarver for 1.5 fights and got caught (which Tarver should be given credit for).

It was a light heavyweight showdown between two recent knockout conquerors of fading superstar Roy Jones Jr. and when it was over, almost everyone felt that Antonio Tarver had done enough to defeat a game Glen Johnson. Everyone, that is, except two of the judges and that enabled Johnson to come away with a controversial split decision 12-round victory Saturday night on HBO’s World Championship Boxing showcase from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Both fighters gave up their versions of the light heavyweight championship in order to face each other and they put on an entertaining show, trading punches for 12 rounds. The taller Tarver threw more punches, landed more punches and appeared to land the harder shots. Johnson stalked Tarver throughout and did some solid work to the body but it was Tarver who seemed to be landing the cleaner and more effective shots.

Tarver connected on 296 of 853 total punches (35 per cent), including 220 of 497 power shots (44 per cent) and 76 of 356 jabs (21 per cent). Johnson landed 217 of 796 total punches (27 per cent), including 140 of 371 power shots (38 per cent) and 77 of 425 jabs (18 per cent). Tarver appeared to have a clear advantage in at least six rounds and a slight edge in at least two others but when the judges’ cards were tabulated, only Marty Denkin of California saw Tarver winning by a 116-112 margin. Judges Melvina Lathan of New York and Chuck Giampa of Nevada had it 115-113 for Johnson. Tarver outlanded Johnson by margins of 37-14, 33-11, 31-17 & 33-16 in rounds two, six, eight and twelve, averaging 87 punches thrown per round. He didn’t sustain that work rate over twelve rounds however, as he threw just 26 punches in round one, 36 in the fifth and 38 in the tenth.

Johnson clearly won the opening round, when Tarver threw only 26 punches and landed only four while Johnson connected on 14 of 57. Tarver turned on the offense in rounds two and three, outlanding Johnson 37-14 in the second and 35-20 in the third. After each fighter landed 26 punches in the fourth, Johnson had a 21-12 advantage in the fifth. Johnson sustained a slight cut near his eye in an accidental clash of heads in the sixth and Tarver produced his best round, outlanding Johnson 33-11, with 28 of the connects being power shots.

The rugged Johnson rallied in the seventh to outland Tarver 27-21 but Tarver took control again in the eighth and ninth after a tongue-lashing from trainer Buddy McGirt. He outlanded Johnson 31-17 in the eighth and 22-14 in the ninth and appeared to be on his was to a victory. All three judges had Tarver leading through nine rounds. But Tarver suddenly decided to coast through the 10 th and it may have cost him as Johnson landed 11 of 58 punches while Tarver connected on 11 of only 38.

The 11 th was fought at a furious pace, with Tarver landing 26 of 100 punches, his highest output of the fight, including 23 power shots, and Johnson connecting on 26 of 85, 13 of them power shots.

Tarver let his hands go in the 12 th. He rocked Johnson twice and dominated the first 2 ½ minutes before Johnson staged a last-gasp rally. Tarver landed 33 of 83 total punches in the 12th, including 29 of 57 power shots, while Johnson connected on just 16 of 64 total punches, including 11 of 34 power shots. Despite the huge edge in connects, both Giampa and Lathan gave Johnson the 12 th round for his margin of victory.

All three judges gave Johnson the 10 th but Denkin gave Tarver the last two rounds while Giampa and Lathan had Johnson winning the last two. While all three judges had Tarver winning after nine rounds, Johnson emerged as the winner by taking the final three rounds on Giampa’s and Lathan’s scorecards.

“I thought I did enough to win the fight,” said Tarver, who fell to 22-3. “I landed the harder cleaner shots. I threw more punches and I hurt him a couple of times. I hurt my left hand early in the fight when I hit him on top of the head but I didn’t let it stop me. I kept throwing and I feel I did enough to win the fight. I’m definitely ready to do it again.”

“It went my way for a change,” said Johnson, who has often been the victim of curious officiating. “I was holding my breath when they announced the winner and thankfully it went my way this time. I trained hard and pushed the fight for 12 rounds and I think that’s what did it for me. He never hurt me. He caught me a couple of times when my feet weren’t set properly and knocked me off balance but I was never hurt.”

Johnson, who raised his record to 42-9, also said he would welcome a rematch.

“Sure, let’s do it again,” said Johnson. “Antonio Tarver is a great fighter. I think it was a terrific fight and one which the public would enjoy seeing again.”

For the record, most ringside observers felt Tarver had won. Jones, who was handling ringside color for HBO, felt Tarver was the winner as did broadcasters Jim Lampley and Larry Merchant and HBO judge Harold Lederman.

Robbery plain and simple. Threw more, Landed more, and could not have won the fight in a more clear fashion......aside from knocking him out, which he will do next time. I am tired of judges giving the fights to busier people in the championship rounds. That is whack.

He was holding his breath right before the judges announced the scores. Exposed? Nope. And even in this case....Johnson was not really busier....throwing punches. More like clinching and grabbing.
Who is "almost everyone"? There were a significant amount of people who thought each man won and if there was any tilt, more seemed to go with Johnson. You certainly didn't hear anything about a controversy. Don't exaggerate.

You certainly didn't hear anything about a controversy. Don't exaggerate.

Actually, that was one of the more controversial decisions in recent memory. Nice try.

Tarver has got some mad skills and VERY good power

all he needs to do is put it together

Tarver is lazy and an average, yet skilled fighter. He's also not really that smart either. However, the lightheavy weight division is pretty weak right now, so he might reign it if he beats Johnson. However, if he does beat Johnson, I wanna see him go to heavyweight and fight Toney.

Tarver has got some mad skills and VERY good power

all he needs to do is put it together
tarver got left hand power

Actually, that was one of the more controversial decisions in recent memory. Nice try.
Seriously, you think that Johnson-Tarver was one of the more controversial decisions of recent memory? Was is Augustus/Burton? Ruiz-Golota? De La Hoya-Sturm? De La Hoya-Mosley II?

Can you honestly say that it was controversial as those fights of "recent memory"?

Uh...no.

Look Tarver could have won that fight- but he didn't.

I don't remember anyone calling for an investigation over that fight. Johnson got his props.

Just my thoughts.

Tarver has strenght but nothing else. Even in the rematch with Harding.... Eric was giving him the busines but yet again Tarver got lucky and hit him. The dude hits hard but thats it. He refuses to move up in weight ---- he is a talker. He should go see McCormick or Big Truck then and only them will I give him props

Seriously, you think that Johnson-Tarver was one of the more controversial decisions of recent memory? Was is Augustus/Burton?



Okay. For one, Augustus/Burton is 1 person. How is he going to fight himself? And are you talking about Floyd? Because no, that fight was not controversial. That was an incredible performance by Him and Floyd.......slight edge goes to Floyd.

Okay. For one, Augustus/Burton is 1 person. How is he going to fight himself? And are you talking about Floyd? Because no, that fight was not controversial. That was an incredible performance by Him and Floyd.......slight edge goes to Floyd.
Uh no....I was referring to COURTNEY Burton...and the travesty that was that decision. I need you to focus and take one thing at a time. Thanks for playing.

Tarver could knock out Johnson...he just needs to put power on his punches which he has but he rather tries boxing to a decision

1) Beating a faded Roy Jones does not make you great. Good? Maybe, but that's even disputable.

2) The first fight was not controversial. It was close. Mayorga-Forrest II is a similar example of a non-controversial fight. Close fight does not equal controversy. People are quick to throw this owrd out there.

3) No one told Tarver he had to fight like an amateur in his last fight. He slapped at times with his punches while Johnson was digging. This could explain in part why Tarver did not get the decision.

4) Even if Tarver wins the rematch, so what? Glen Johnson is a hard working machine but he is clearly past his prime as well. He has had a long, tough career. Tarver has not.

Tarver has strenght but nothing else. Even in the rematch with Harding.... Eric was giving him the busines but yet again Tarver got lucky and hit him. The dude hits hard but thats it. He refuses to move up in weight ---- he is a talker. He should go see McCormick or Big Truck then and only them will I give him props
I agree with that.

Tarver could knock out Johnson...he just needs to put power on his punches which he has but he rather tries boxing to a decision

Yeah, he would have little trouble in doing so. He fought the wrong fight last time. Johnson is a washed up nobody.....Tarver is an elite fighter. Plain and Simple. Johnson has heart, determination etc.....So does Arturo Gatti. LOL.

I have said it once, and will say it again. He is the best fighter between 170 and HW and will completely demolish his opposition.

Mormeck, Braithewaite and Jirov would all beat him ... David Haye would put him to sleep in a single round.

Tarver's success against Jones was debunked when Glen Johnson repeated the feat.

Tarver will lose the next fight. Although he is good in rematche 2-0. But Johnson is a stalker and Tarver cant take the presuure.

Mormeck, Braithewaite and Jirov would all beat him ... David Haye would put him to sleep in a single round.

Tarver's success against Jones was debunked when Glen Johnson repeated the feat.

Sorry son. I think Tarver puts Mormeck, Braithwaite, and Jirov out for the count. Even your boy haye.

Sorry son. I think Tarver puts Mormeck, Braithwaite, and Jirov out for the count. Even your boy haye.



Tarver fought Jirov in the Olympics, it was a sweet fight. they were pretty evenly matched, i thought, but Jirov pulled out the win. i don't know how E.T. would do agianst Braithwaite and Mormeck, though

Sorry son. I think Tarver puts Mormeck, Braithwaite, and Jirov out for the count. Even your boy haye.
I don't know about that man. He couldn't KO a very faded Montell Griffin who Jones and DM were both able to KO during his prime. Tarver will be very hard for anyone to beat at LHW if he fights like did against Johnson last Saturday, but whether or not he can be motivated enough to do that the first time around remains to be seen.

Tarver fought Jirov in the Olympics, it was a sweet fight. they were pretty evenly matched, i thought, but Jirov pulled out the win. i don't know how E.T. would do agianst Braithwaite and Mormeck, though

Ill bet every point I have in the bank on him if he fights any of those four: Jirov, Braithwaite, Mormeck, or Haye. all 55 million.

I don't know about that man. He couldn't KO a very faded Montell Griffin who Jones and DM were both able to KO during his prime. Tarver will be very hard for anyone to beat at LHW if he fights like did against Johnson last Saturday, but whether or not he can be motivated enough to do that the first time around remains to be seen.

Yeah, true. But motivation is key. If tarver puts on weight, his strength goes up. If Braithwaite is going to rely on being a tricky southpaw, which he is not, that is not going to cut it. Tarver will overwhelm him with punches in the mid rounds and stop him. Mormeck is a sitting duck with no defense. Tarver will shoot straight shots through the gaurd like he did against Johnson and knock him out. Haye is a hairdresser....there is no way he can beat the best fighter between 170 and 200 lbs. No ****ing way. I think Tarver mercs his ass in a couple of rounds. He has a glass chin....and that straight left will punish him bad.

Antonio Tarver is a **** head, why the hell can't he get a fight right the first time it always has to be the second time around.

He got the **** beat out of him by Eric Harding, fought him again and was getting his ass kicked and then hit him with a one punch bomb that not only ended the fight but basically ended HArding's career as a title contender.

He fights Roy and pisses the fight away by going on vacation for 5 rounds and he can't understand why he didn't get the decision.
Second time around he does absolutely nothing in the first and then gets the homerun in the second.

Damn against Glenn he again takes off way too many rounds and cannot back up all of the talk leading up to the fight...he was clearly the better fighter but he was also the lazyier fighter...

He will beat Johnson but who cares...Tarver is a lazy fighter and expect more of the same once he gets by GJ...He will lose his next fight post GJ on account of being a lazy dumbass.


I have to agree with you...lol ;)