The Aftermath: Revisiting Tarver vs. Johnson
by
Buster Paris
12/27 - You’ve got to admit that this was a very cool fight. There was no belt on the line. There wasn’t any hidden agenda or ulterior motives from anyone not in the ring. This was a fight for pride. This was a fight for the real and true Light Heavyweight Championship of the world.
I salute both these great warriors for going ahead with this and I wish more boxers would do the same.
Before we go any further let’s take a moment to give me a Nelson Muntz laugh for getting this one wrong. “Haa Haa!” I’m just glad I wasn’t the only one. Antonio Tarver was a 3½ to 1 favorite to win the bout.
As I was watching Glen Johnson’s ring walk I thought he looked nervous, but ready to go. I noticed it for the first time; he’s got that Sonny Liston pencil thin mustache. He actually looks a bit like Liston. That’s conclusive proof to me that he’s going to lose. Mike Tyson had the same pencil thin mustache when he fought and lost to Danny Williams. Proof positive.
Tarver’s ring walk, he’s wearing a crown, he’s smiling and looking relaxed. He’s got an “Ali” air about him. In my book he’s going to win.
I’m well aware that this type of thinking isn’t conducive to being an objective viewer or reporter of events and I usually don’t give in to this type of thought process except with football. I give in to it every time with football. I’m convinced that because I hold my breath Adam Vinatieri hits from 50 yards or if I make a pained _expression and lean to the right then Corey Dillon will see the whole and run right.
When it comes to boxing I’m a fan first and columnist second so if you have that Liston stash above your lip I’m giving your chances for victory some serious thought before I come back to reality.
Here’s a quickie review of December 18th 2004: Round 1 started with Johnson coming out harsh and aggressive. He was pounding Tarver. Johnson’s swarming took away that southpaw edge, that awkwardness when an orthodox fighter tangles with a southpaw. In fact for the entire 12 rounds that was never an issue.
Rounds 1 through 6 were very hard to score. Johnson would win the first half of a round then Tarver would win the second. Glen was much more on the offensive. He was strong and sharp. Each punch looked deadly and accurate. I must have made the “oowph” face like a hundred times. Antonio was quicker, he was far more stylish and his fists would just sneak in and make a mess of things for Johnson.
In the second half of the fight, rounds 7 through 12 Glen started to grunt and growl. He looked tired while Antonio did not; Antonio looked the same as he did the 2nd round until the 11th round (not counting the round that he took off).
In round 12 there was big time give and take. Glen looked hurt and Antonio was hammering away, then Johnson came back and Tarver looked wobbly. The 12th round pretty much described the entire fight. The constant back and forth punctuated with the remarkable speed and reactions of Tarver and the power and pure heart of Johnson who would not be denied.
The Road Warrior fought the fight that way. He would just simply not be denied this victory and he wasn’t.
It was really a great fight. There was never a significant break in the action and they both mixed it up and traded shots. It was a constant back and forth between the two.
Johnson was predominantly the aggressor while Tarver threw more combinations, looked more relaxed, looked healthier throughout the fight and made it look easy.
I thought Tarver was entitled the victory. I watched the fight with that preconception and at the end of 12 I thought that he won the fight, but he didn’t fight the fight that Johnson did. Johnson fought boldly to conquer something. Tarver fought characteristically to confirm something.
Putting all that aside and giving it a week to sink in I still think that Tarver won. I think Harold Lederman was as usual 100% right on. I think it was 115 to 113 in favor of Antonio Tarver.
I’ve heard all the talk and read most of the articles that say how Tarver was lack luster or just didn’t do what it takes, didn’t give it his all, but I’m sticking with Lederman and that’s almost boxing royalty as far as being in good company is concerned.
This was one of those great fights from its foundation and motive to its ring action and arguable decision. There is an overwhelming need for a rematch. It is a must and a have to.
Imagine if this set off a trend for 2005. Nothing but the likes of Trinidad vs. Mayorga, Ward vs. Gatti or the likes of Hagler vs. Hearns or Duran vs. Leonard.
Imagine Tarver vs. Johnson II. We find Glen Johnson finally being the man to beat. He has a well-deserved and hard fought for status in the Light Heavyweight world. He has something to protect.
We find Antonio Tarver once again with that burning desire to prove himself, show that his Roy Jones Jr. 2nd round knockout victory was not a fluke. That he is not a fluke. That he is the man. The he is the king of the Light Heavyweight division.
Tarver vs. Johnson II. I have only 1 piece of advice for both men: Antonio – prove it. Glen - please shave.
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