Remember When Tarver Was "The Jinx" Reincarnate

[ProBox1]

On May 15, 2004, former light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver knocked out undisputed light heavyweight champion Roy Jones in the second round of their rematch. Prior to the Jones rematch, Tarver was best known for splitting two fights with Eric Harding, winning a solid decision over Montell Griffin, and losing a close majority decision to Jones in their first fight.

I wonder if I had polled those attending the fight that night at the Mandalay Bay, where the rematch took place, "who would have won if Tarver was fighting former undisputed light heavyweight champion Michael Spinks"? Which based on Tarver's showing in his last fight where he not only gave Roy Jones the toughest fight of his career, but half of those who saw the fight thought he won and should've been awarded the decision. Tarver's perception in the boxing community was soaring at the time.

That being said, I would've been more than willing to bet that an overwhelming majority of those surveyed, would've picked Spinks to come out on top versus the Tarver who would knock Jones out in a few hours. In the most anticipated title fight of Roy Jones' career, Tarver devastated him with the first meaningful punch he landed in the bout, coming at 1:41 of the second round.
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[TheGreat1]

I didn't really like this article. Tarver is a good fighter, and was robbed in the 1st RJJ fight, aswell as the Johnson fight. He deserves to be mentioned with those guys. I think he and spinks would be a great fight.

[TheBrownBomber22]

I didn't really like this article. Tarver is a good fighter, and was robbed in the 1st RJJ fight, aswell as the Johnson fight. He deserves to be mentioned with those guys. I think he and spinks would be a great fight.

I agree with you except for the first RJJ fight, I thought Roy nicked it but it was a close fight.