Even though i rate Pavlik, Tarver is the best fighter from the US

[slicksouthpaw16]

Ultimate, you are definitely overrating Tarver. He is a good fighter however, but what does Antonio Taver have that Chad Dawson doesn't? Dawson is faster, stronger, younger, better boxer, better puncher and has the more diverse arsenal/weaponary of punches. Tarver throws basically one twos from the outside and the only advantage that he has over Dawson is chin.

Take a look back at every technical boxer that Tarver has faced and you will see that Dawson is a horrible style match up for him. Eric harding-broke Tarver's jaw in their first fight and scored a knock down as well (Tarver took a knee). Harding was also ahead in their second fight until he was caught with a silly punch. Harding is a southpaw, fast hands, counter puncher and has good boxing ability. Dawson has better footspeed than Harding, is the better out boxer, is taller and has FAR more power. The only chance that Tarver has of beating Dawson is catching him and thats unlikely. I see Dawson using his hand speed and foot movement to beat Tarver to the punch for 12 rounds by a wide decision.

Don't get me wrong. If Dawson fights the wrong fight and gets reckless, then he could definitely blow it. I just figure that he will box more cautious and aware, especially since he went through a nightmare against Johnson. Tarver is not a pressure fighter so Dawson is not going to be in a high presure fight. Tarver is a sit back counter puncher.

[deanrw]

Even though Pavlik is not gifted athletically, I'd rather face Tarver in the ring over him.

Pavlik has this way of taking the will out of his opponents. He gives systematic beat downs very much like Cotto does.

I would not want to be an opponent staring across the ring at him before the opening bell. He can give the type of beatings that can ruin careers.

[Scott9945]

Tarver has no legs left. He has been lucky to be matched against the type of opposition that would hide that. I think Dawson gives him a beating, which is why Tarver is avoiding that fight

[Pullcounter]

Tarver is the complete fighter. So is Kelly of course. But Tarver has more in my books. Also his division is loaded and i can't see him getting beaten unless he doesn't turn up.

If he fights Dawson im predicting a TKO.

Anyone else agree with this? Or am i just over rating Tarver?

right now tarver is not better than pavlik.

the only thing pavlik lacks is speed.

[Dick-Sucker]

Ultimate, you are definitely overrating Tarver. He is a good fighter however, but what does Antonio Taver have that Chad Dawson doesn't? Dawson is faster, stronger, younger, better boxer, better puncher and has the more diverse arsenal/weaponary of punches. Tarver throws basically one twos from the outside and the only advantage that he has over Dawson is chin.

Take a look back at every technical boxer that Tarver has faced and you will see that Dawson is a horrible style match up for him. Eric harding-broke Tarver's jaw in their first fight and scored a knock down as well (Tarver took a knee). Harding was also ahead in their second fight until he was caught with a silly punch. Harding is a southpaw, fast hands, counter puncher and has good boxing ability. Dawson has better footspeed than Harding, is the better out boxer, is taller and has FAR more power. The only chance that Tarver has of beating Dawson is catching him and thats unlikely. I see Dawson using his hand speed and foot movement to beat Tarver to the punch for 12 rounds by a wide decision.

Don't get me wrong. If Dawson fights the wrong fight and gets reckless, then he could definitely blow it. I just figure that he will box more cautious and aware, especially since he went through a nightmare against Johnson. Tarver is not a pressure fighter so Dawson is not going to be in a high presure fight. Tarver is a sit back counter puncher.

To me Tarver is a complete boxer. But his reach and style makes him so good. Its more of his style beating opponents. I mean he uses the jab to perfection and then knows when to load up behind it.

[Dick-Sucker]

Tarver is an enigma. In his three fights with Roy Jones, to my eyes he was the better boxer across all three bouts, not just beating Roy luckily, as some say, but genuinely outperforming him. That might be because he is a tall, awkward southpaw, but to my eyes he fought three very smart, very disciplined fights, and when he boxes like that he would be a test for anyone, and a genuine elite performer.

Of course, he has had other fights, against Hopkins for example, when he has looked bad, but as Paul Williams recently showed us, anyone can have an off night.

In terms of career wins and quality of fighters beaten, Tarver is streets ahead of Pavlik, I don't see how this can be disputed. Even his recent win over Woods is comparable with anything Pavlik has done. As for whether he is actually better right now, I couldn't say. In his prime yes, but Antonio is getting old now.

I sometimes find it surprising that Americans in general think so little of Tarver, considering his career has actually been very impressive. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that basically, he killed the career of Roy Jones, who (just like Chris Eubank in the UK did when he started losing) became more universally loved the second that Tarver KOd him. Tarver's achievement was swallowed up in the narrative of RJJ's sad decline, and he never got the credit he deserved because everyone focussed on how poor Roy had been rather than how good Tarver was.

Remember, in the first fight RJJ actually won on the cards, though I and many believe that Tarver deserved the verdict. For my money he outboxed RJJ that night, as he did 3rd time out, not KO some washed up walking knockout. His fights against RJJ should have earned him much more credit than they did.

Nice post, the same as the one i replied to before.

I have to agree. Tarver is the most under rated American fighter and has been for some time.

Agree with the thoughts against RJJ, he totally dominated him. Although RJJ was pretty terrible, at times when he had Tarver hurt he acted like a band aid.

[slicksouthpaw16]

Even though Pavlik is not gifted athletically, I'd rather face Tarver in the ring over him.

Pavlik has this way of taking the will out of his opponents. He gives systematic beat downs very much like Cotto does.

I would not want to be an opponent staring across the ring at him before the opening bell. He can give the type of beatings that can ruin careers.

Exactly, its those pin point accurate shots that does it. Julio Ceaser Chavez and Wladimir Klitschko are some other examples of fighters that are those kinds of punchers. The thing that imresses me most about Pavlik is his consistantcy and durability. He sticks to his game plan no matter what, even if he has to comes off of the canvas in order to do so. He has the potential to be a very dominant fighter and champion as long he keeps focus.

[Dick-Sucker]

Exactly, its those pin point accurate shots that does it. Julio Ceaser Chavez and Wladimir Klitschko are some other examples of fighters that are those kinds of punchers. The thing that imresses me most about Pavlik is his consistantcy and durability. He sticks to his game plan no matter what, even if he has to comes off of the canvas in order to do so. He has the potential to be a very dominant fighter and champion as long he keeps focus.

While it would be bad getting hit with Kellys lead rights.

It would be even more frustrating trying to fight against Tarvers Style.

[MELLY-MEL...]

roflmfao...

[slicksouthpaw16]

While it would be bad getting hit with Kellys lead rights.

It would be even more frustrating trying to fight against Tarvers Style.

Tarver is one dimensional and he only throws his right jab(which isn't accurate) and the straight left hand. He needs a come foward stationary target in order to look good doing it. There are many fighters out there that has the ability to neutralize that by circling him and out boxing him from a tactical stand point. The way both Hopkins and Eric Harding did. Like i said, he is a good fighter but he is not too good at one thing/nothing about him stands out.