Just how good was Antonio Tarver?

[Boxing-1013]

And how good was RJJ when Tarver beat him?

Scale of 1-10 for each will suffice. For example you could say Tarver was 7/10, and RJJ was 6/10 in those fights, compared to what he was when he was at his peak.

I ask the question because if Loma-Teo happens, I want Teo to ask that 'excuses' question before they face off. And it made me think of that fight.

Not that Loma really made excuses, I just loved that line and want to see it used more often.

I would say Tarver was 7/10, and RJJ was 6/10 when they fought.

[richardt]

Jones put on muscle to fight Ruiz and made the big mistake that older fighters should never do and that is dropping weight too fast, especially muscle weight, and going back down. He aged himself. He made the same mistake that Chris Byrd, Leonard, and others have by dropping weight when they are older and risking their health. When a fighter is past their prime, they should not be accelerating their decline by putting their body through such changes. Jones and Tarver were close to the same age but Jones was much older in boxing years where Tarver was still in his prime. I would give Jones a 4/10 and Tarver a 9/10.

[Monzon99]

The Jones muscle loss is a BS excuse. Jones was already ducking Tarver before he went to hwt. He even wrote a letter to IBF requesting they force Tarver to fight a second eliminator. Jones knew Tarver was his kryptonite and tried to duck him forever and had it not been for Tarver's very very big mouth, Jones would have mayweathered Tarver forever. Tarver choked in the first fight and then Roy and HBo tried to duck the rematch, HBO offered Tarver a fight with Julio Gonzalez instead of immediate rematch. Tarver said cut theBS I want Roy! Tarver screamed and yelled for months, shamed Roy, and finally Roy agreed to the rematch. And got KTFO. Brilliant display by Tarver both in and out of the ring. Tarver never got the respect he deserved. KOing Superman Roy with one shot was one of the greatest KOs in boxing history.

[Ca$ual Fan]

Jones should have challenged Lewis then retire. He would’ve had a better legacy to sleep unto.

Taking Tarver match was a bad decision. Jones 6/10 Tarver 8/10

[Boxing-1013]

Jones put on muscle to fight Ruiz and made the big mistake that older fighters should never do and that is dropping weight too fast, especially muscle weight, and going back down. He aged himself. He made the same mistake that Chris Byrd, Leonard, and others have by dropping weight when they are older and risking their health. When a fighter is past their prime, they should not be accelerating their decline by putting their body through such changes. Jones and Tarver were close to the same age but Jones was much older in boxing years where Tarver was still in his prime. I would give Jones a 4/10 and Tarver a 9/10.

But if SRR was a 10/10, what would you rate Tarver? Thanks for the commentary though, good points.

The Jones muscle loss is a BS excuse. Jones was already ducking Tarver before he went to hwt. He even wrote a letter to IBF requesting they force Tarver to fight a second eliminator. Jones knew Tarver was his kryptonite and tried to duck him forever and had it not been for Tarver's very very big mouth, Jones would have mayweathered Tarver forever. Tarver choked in the first fight and then Roy and HBo tried to duck the rematch, HBO offered Tarver a fight with Julio Gonzalez instead of immediate rematch. Tarver said cut theBS I want Roy! Tarver screamed and yelled for months, shamed Roy, and finally Roy agreed to the rematch. And got KTFO. Brilliant display by Tarver both in and out of the ring. Tarver never got the respect he deserved. KOing Superman Roy with one shot was one of the greatest KOs in boxing history.

That was an iconic KO.

[Tatabanya]

Tarver caught Jones at the right moment of the latter's impending decline, and banked on that knockout forever.

Lost to Chad Dawson twice, to Glen Johnson, to Eric Harding.

Hopkins schooled him.

What is left besides the Roy Jones win? Danny Green? Clinton Woods?

Your word.

[Larry the boss]

Tarver was a solid counter puncher and a disciplined defender.. He was the real deal

[Larry the boss]

Tarver simply had Roy's number plain and simple

[richardt]

But if SRR was a 10/10, what would you rate Tarver? Thanks for the commentary though, good points.



That was an iconic KO.

SRR=Sugar Ray Robinson?

[boliodogs]

Prime against prime Jones was much better. In the fight Tarver KOed Jones Tarver was 9/10 and Jones was 3/10. A few years earlier Jones would have easily defeated Tarver just as Hopkins did later.