TalkingBoxing Articles
Memphis, Wake Up and Support Johnson-Tarver
THU June 16, GARTH WEAVER - This Saturday could be just another typical day in the month of June, unless you're a fight fan or even better; a fight fan in Memphis. HBO’s "Boxing After Dark" takes place live from the FedEx Forum in Memphis, TN and from reports, tickets are available and aplenty for the upcoming show. If you can swing it and live nearby, go see the fight live!
On the HBO televised under-card, former champions Ike Quartey and Verno Phillips square off in a middleweight fight. Phillips, 38-9-1, is coming off a nine month layoff and a tough loss to IBF champion Kassim Ouma in October. Before opponent Clint McNeil was stopped in eight rounds, Quartey, 35-2-1, had been retired for five years until he decided to make another run at a world title. Needless to say, this will be a fun fight to watch as Quartey chose a top contender to fight on his way back to the top.
In the main-event, viewers will be treated to a rematch between Antonio “The Magic Man” Tarver and Glen “The Road Warrior” Johnson for the IBO and Ring Magazine light heavyweight title. A win will either keep Johnson established as “the man” at 175 or re-establish Tarver as the kingpin of that division. [Peck: Talking Boxing with Glen Johnson]
There has not been a whole lot of buzz about this fight and there should be, as both had a very entertaining scrap in December of last year in which Johnson worked his way to a split decision win. Regardless of the ticket woes, this fight is sure to be a solid-fight as the two best light heavyweights in the world collide.
Too many people are sleeping on this fight right now, including the whole city of Memphis. Folks of Memphis, don't let this chance to see top quality boxing pass you by.
When Tarver and Johnson went at it on December 18th, 2004, there was a lot of noise surrounding the title fight as both men had knocked out the great Roy Jones. Many people were in shock and faced with the problem of deciding who the best at 175 was. Their fight showed what true professionals they both are as they put aside typical issues that would otherwise ruin a fight.
In the first fight, Johnson worked very hard, hammering away at the body and head of Tarver. Tarver had some great moments himself, employing a good jab, and using his powerful straight left to ward off the assault that Johnson was mounting.
The result was so close, it could have gone either way, with the result leaving fans with plenty of questions about who is the dominant force at 175-pounds.
Now it's time to do it again, and without a doubt, fans will get the answers that they are looking for.
There is no doubt in my mind that these two world-class fighters are hungry. Tarver has always been vocal about how good he feels he is and how under-rated he may have been prior to his first fight with Jones, while Johnson, always the quiet and humble type, proves his hunger in the ring with a work rate that rivals that of WBA lightweight champ Juan Diaz.
Anyone who saw Johnson fight Jones and Tarver, understands he will press forward all night and won't stop throwing punches. Another thing that adds to Johnson’s tenacity is the fact that several of his losses have been regarded by many experts as robberies that took place fighting in his opponents' hometown. This seems to make Johnson fight with urgency.
Johnson, 42-9-2, 28 KO’s, has only been stopped once in his career and that was by Bernard Hopkins back in 1997. All of his other losses were decisions. Johnson has fought a who's who of boxing and has given 99% of his opponents a very difficult night.
Tarver, 22-3, 18 KO’s, has never been stopped in any fight and has truly exploded onto the scene since dropping a controversial decision to Roy Jones Jr. in 2003. Tarver came back in the rematch against Jones and flattened him in the second round, uncorking a powerful right hook on the jaw that closed the show. Tarver is every bit as dangerous as he is tenacious with 18 of his 22 victims falling short of going the distance.
Expect this rematch to be the same as the first Johnson-Tarver fight as both men want this badly and a win could mean a big PPV bout with Hopkins. It's very difficult for me to peg who will win the rematch. That's what makes this fight so exciting to watch.
If you asked who was to win, I'd probably say both, unless you had a gun to my head. Neither fighter deserves to lose this one. Unfortunately, I cannot have it that way, nor am I forced to choose Tarver this time around since I did pick Johnson in the first fight.
Tarver is going to stay on the outside, making himself harder to hit in this fight. Also, Tarver will commit to his punches a lot more, which will help him fend off Johnson’s constant pressure. Look for Johnson to do what he does best, come in and pressure Tarver, getting through frequently. However, Tarver has prepared and is far more rested this time around, so Johnson's barrages won’t be quite enough. Expect the Tarver to use his height and reach more this time around, something the 6'2 "Magic Man" didn't use in their first fight. Also it's importatnt to note, Tarver has lost twice before and in the re-match has won by vicious knockout, could he make it three wins in the re-match after a loss?
It will come down to who has the most resolve and Tarver is going to bring it to the table in an entertaining battle that will have plenty of see-saw action. The end result will be the same as their first fight, only this time; it will be Tarver’s hand that is raised in victory. The slightest of margin gave Johnson the first fight and will give Tarver the re-match.
Thoughts on Brewster-Golota: One Month Removed
I know this is a bit old, but I was disappointed about one of my favorite fighters losing this past May 21st when Andrew Golota was stopped in the first round by Lamon “Relentless” Brewster. For those of us who did see it, "completely surprised" may sum up the fight for you. I was caught off the way Brewster won the fight, but will gladly tip my hat to Lamon, giving him big time credit for the way that he destroyed Golota to retain his WBO Heavyweight title.
The air at United Center that night was electric, as the crowd witnessed the first Heavyweight title fight in 24 years. In fact, the buzz of that fight-card was strong enough that promoter Don King will return and recently said, “Chicago is my kind of town, my kind of people and the more than 20,000 people that attended our May 21 event told us they want to see world championship boxing live in person, so I’m going to give them an even bigger event on August 13th.”
The bell sounded the title fight, from Wisconsin came this HUGE left hook that sent Golota sprawling. Golota beat the count and got up, only to be sent THROUGH the ropes by another big left hook. Golota once again beat the count only to get dropped by ANOTHER left hook prompting referee Gino Rodriguez to call a halt to the bout just 53 seconds after it had begun. It was over before it started. [Golota fans will get more of their fighter on August 13th as he takes on Przemyslaw “Chemek” Saleta in under-card action.]
Brewster came onto the scene with a knockout win over Wladimir Klitschko in a win that many thought was a fluke, especially after Brewster’s next performance which was a close, albeit controversial win over New Zealand’s Kali Meehan. There are many in the boxing world, including myself, that felt that Brewster was one of those people who just does not use 100% of their abilities. Sorry I doubted you so critically Mr. Brewster, for you came out and lived up to your nickname, 'Relentless' and silenced many of your critics, by knockout.
Brewster needed to have his potential milked to the fullest and new trainer Jesse Reid picked up where Bill Slayton left off and got all 101% out of Lamon Brewster. A big win like this is impossible to overlook even almost a month later. This win, in such brutal fashion certainly does lend credibility to the fact that Lamon is a force in the division.
You proved me and a lot of people wrong. Keep up the good work, Champ.
