By Rick Reeno

This Saturday night, Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson, the two best light heavyweights in the world, battle for supremecy. The winner would not only gain the recogintion as the best light heavyweight in the world, but would also grab a spot on the pound for pound rankings. A big money fight with Bernard Hopkins is also a possibility. The middleweight king has expressed his desire to fight the winner of Tarver-Johnson rematch, should he get by Jermain Taylor in July. If the two men end up staging another close battle with Tarver winning the fight, there could be a slight possibility of a third meeting to settle who is the best.

Tarver was billed as the next superstar of boxing when he knocked out Roy Jones Jr. in May of 2004. Tarver started to believe his own hype and the label of a superstar went to his head. Once Glen Johnson knocked out Roy Jones Jr. a few months later in even more devestating fashion, Tarver's spotlight was stolen. Tarver's victory over Roy Jones got watered down by Johnson's performance. Tarver is getting what may be his only shot to redeem himself this Saturday. Johnson is looking to prove that after several tough losses in his career, he has finally bloomed into a top caliber fighter. Johnson is looking to live up to his status as the 2004 fighter of the year and to prove that his win in the first encounter was not a fluke.

The staff of BoxingScene voice their opinions, predictions and keys to victory on the upcoming rematch between Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson.

Paul Gallegos - I fully expect a tactical fight where both men score early but not often. Johnson will land the more significant blows early in the rounds and then Tarver will finish with his usual flurries in an attempt to influence the judges so he can steal the rounds. By no means is this fight a candidate for fight of the year. Both men will only fight when necessary. While I see Johnson more determined, it will be Tarver gaining a narrow split decision because of his jab and overall slick style of boxing. I hope that this fight isn't a bore, but it does have that potential.

Frank Lotierzo - I liked Tarver in the first fight. But he showed up with the Buster Douglas "I just KO'd an unbeatable fighter and now I'm unbeatable” disease. Meaning he overrated himself after knocking out Roy Jones, (as Douglas did after knocking Tyson out) and wasn't ready mentally for Johnson. Tarver had to lose 40 pounds in 8 weeks before the last meeting with Johnson. Since their initial encounter, Tarver's been a 6 month old ghost. Tarver is the more versatile fighter, capable of adjusting in between fights. This time around he'll be fighting with a sense of urgency  because he knows that his career hinges on the outcome. Tarver should win this fight by decision.

Tom Donelson - Glen Johnson has won three tough fights in a row and is 4-0-1 against the top fighters in the light heavyweight division in his last five fights. Johnson has fought the best and as a fighter gives no quarter.

Tarver is the better technician but like he did against Jones in his first fight, he allowed Johnson to outhustle him at crucial points in the fight. In past rematches, Tarver has won by knock out. Johnson is a tough man to stop but if Tarver fights hard every round and has no mental lapse, he will win the fight by a decision.

Eric Rineer - Antonio Tarver is 2-0 in rematches. When he is motivated, he is the best in his division. He lost a close decision to Glen Johnson after the big KO of Roy Jones due to a lack of focus. I've got to believe that he was living the high life, enjoying that title victory when he ran into Glen. He'll have more focus this time around. It's like when he lost that decision to Jones the first time, he came back more focused than ever. I got to see it first-hand at his training camp in Vero Beach. Glen is a much improved fighter from two or three years ago, but Antonio "Magic Man" Tarver should win this fight inside of seven rounds.

David Sauvage - As many point out, Tarver rebounds well. Against Roy Jones in their first go round, he looked tight trying to fight up to his enormous
expectations. Their second go round, he was in his element, and he
unleashed the bomb of bombs when he caught Jones on the jaw to knock him out.

Against Johnson, I saw something similar. He was holding back, too nervous to let loose, like he was afraid he had overhyped himself. This time again, the bombs will be away. TKO for Tarver in 7 despite Johnson's stellar chin. (And remember, I was one of the few to pick McBride to stop Tyson -- on similar,
psychological grounds.)

Jim Amato - Antonio Tarver wants to make a statement when he meets Glencoffe Johnson in the rematch. Although Mr. Johnson is quite the athlete, I do believe Tarver was looking past Johnson the last time they met. Tarver is no fool, this time around he is going to be at his best. Tarver will be more aggressive this time, attempting to keep Johnson from assuming control.. I like Tarver by decision.

Dave Selwyn - This Fight is very hard to call. Last fight Johnson won a close decision that some people felt could have gone either way. I feel that either guy could win this fight based on who trained and prepared the best. Both fighters have excellent trainers. Tarver's trainer, Buddy McGirt, is the better known and more accomplished trainer, but he is also the busier trainer and is also training
Arturo Gatti for his big fight with Floyd Mayweather next month.

Johnson was everybody's choice for fighter of the year in 2004 . Orlando Cuellar, Johnson's trainer, deserves a lot of credit for that and should be also considered a world class trainer. I met him a couple of months ago and he handed me his business card. On the back of the card there are two photos of Cuellar and Johnson. That should tell you how important Johnson is to Cuellar. Before you pick the winner of this fight you really need to look at Tarver's record. Tarver has lost three times in bouts with Glen Johnson, Roy Jones and Eric Harding Tarver went on to knockout both Jones and Harding in rematches. I feel That Johnson will be the better prepared fighter, but it is hard to go against history. I feel that someway, somehow history will repeat and Tarver will find a way to come out victorious.

Lucian Parfitt - The reason Tarver lost the 1st fight was primarily because of his inconsistent punch output. Tarver would thrown 70 punches in one round then 20 in the next. This allowed Johnson to pinch the decision, winning all of Tarver's 'off' rounds. Tarver should not be losing to Glen Johnson this time around, and I predict he will put both the memory of the first fight and Johnson, to bed. Tarver by late KO.

Mike Indri - Sandwiched between two mega-fight weekends, the Johnson vs. Tarver fight isn't getting much attention. While both fighters have paid their dues to get to this point, the media is overlooking the fight. Unfortunately for boxing good guy Glen Johnson, I don't see him getting by Tarver this time.

If Tarver uses his physical advantages, keeps Johnson at a distance and works his good jab, the "Magic Man" will prevail. Better boxing skills will make the difference for Tarver.

Antonio Tarver over Glen Johnson via 12 round unanimous decision.

Rusty Rubin – The rematch between Tarver and Johnson should go the distance once again. Tarver just doesn't seem to have the killer instinct, but he can box well. Same with Johnson who doesn't care who or where he fights.

Picking the fight going the 'distance' is the easy part, picking the winner here is tough. It's going to the scorecards again and that means the result will depend on what the judges are looking for and of course who the judges are. I thought Tarver beat Johnson the last time, but it was too close to argue about the decision.

The only thing that will be different about this fight is the venue and judges, and for that reason, I'll pick Tarver by a close, maybe split decision

Richard Thomas - Glen Johnson should pull off another win because it does not seem that Tarver can handle the pressure that Johnson applies. Johnson will be coming forward and throwing non-stop punches and at the same time he'll be smothering Tarver's punches. Johnson will not give Tarver enough punching room to block Tarver from extending his reach to the fullest capability. Johnson does not have enough punching power to knockout Tarver, Johnson should win by decision. Whether it’s by a split or unanimous decision, Johnson will get the nod from the judges.

Ron Gallegos - The outcome of this fight is totally dependent on how hungry Johnson remains. If he has become somewhat complacent because of his recent success, he will lose to an inspired Tarver. If he remains hungry and tosses caution to the wind, he will again emerge victorious. My prediction, Johnson via split decision.

Sammy Rozenberg - Tarver does not seem like he can handle the pressure of the superstar expectations thrown on his shoulders after he knocked out Roy Jones. I don't see this fight being any different then the first. Tarver will be better, but Johnson will be better prepared as well. I see Johnson winning a close decision by using his aggressive fighting style to offset Tarver's abilities as the better boxer.

James Blears - Everything will depend on who's more effective and more intelligent. Last Time Tarver threw more leather but two of the judges thought Johnson was more effective with his pick of punches. Conditioning will also be crucial because neither of these guys are spring chickens. At 36 apiece, their combined age doesn't bear thinking about too long. Tarver gave it his best shot last time and will be stretched to do better. Even though he's the favorite, I picking Johnson by unanimous decision.

Dave Wilcox - I think this is a very competitive fight. Glen Johnson opened some eyes last time at Staples when he beat The Magic Man. I might hate myself Sunday morning, but I'm going with Tarver again by close decision. I think he'll be a little more active this time around and out slick Glencoffe. This won't the most exciting of bouts as far as action goes, but if you love watching two skilled pros in the squared circle, this is your fight.

T.K. Stewart - I thought Tarver won the first fight with a score of 115-113 and I was actually quite shocked when the decision went to Glen Johnson. Should be a good match, but I expect Tarver will show up in much better shape this time, have more focus and may not have to deal with an injured hand as he did in the previous bout. Tarver's rematch record is also quite impressive. I like Antonio Tarver in this one, possibly by late round stoppage, but more than likely by decision.

Johnny Ortiz - I thought Antonio Tarver won the first fight and I’m picking Antonio Tarver to walk away with the victory in the rematch.

Jose Villegas - I think Tarver is more talented and can do more things in the ring than Johnson. Personally I thought Tarver won the first fight clean. I think it will play out in kind of the same way as the first fight except this time, Tarver wont take his foot off the gas like he likes to do sometimes. I see Tarver winning a comfortable decision with Johnson trying his best to win the fight.

Robert Padilla - Antonio Tarver vs. Glenn Johnson is a good fight where both men are on near equal levels as far as various talents and strengths. Tarver must show the world what he is made of as he failed to impress the public with his last outing against Johnson. Everything is on the line for both men in this fight. Tarver does not have any excuses this time and Johnson must prove to the world that the outcome of the last fight was no fluke. Tarver has to take it to Johnson early in the fight and let his hands go. The fight is too close for Tarver to leave the outcome in the hands of the judges. Tarver learned a valuable lesson in the first fight, he cannot depend on the judges to see the fight correctly. With all this being said, I have to pick Antonio Tarver by KO.

Rick Reeno - The first fight was close, but I felt Tarver easily won by a 7 to 5 round margin. I think Tarver understands the importance of this bout and is fully aware that another loss may damage his career beyond repair. Johnson on the other hand has far less to lose because he would still hold a decision win over Tarver from the their initial meeting. Tarver cannot let Johnson back him into the ropes or close the distance. He must keep Johnson at the end of his jab and dig hooks to the body. Tarver must keep a busy pace throughout the entire fight, especially in the championship rounds. I have Tarver winning this fight by unanimous decision.