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It seems as if every win Glen Johnson achieves these days is an upset, begging the question, when are people going to truly believe in him? Antonio Tarver fought beneath himself in the first fight, and paid the price. This time, the rematch specialist in Tarver will have to come to the fore in |
order to avoid another loss and more than that, defeat to Johnson again might bury Tarver’s career for good. There is really no other significant light heavyweight fights to be made after this one. Whichever fighter wins, it will likely be at different weights that they find challenges suitable for their profile. But for tonight, we can savor the fight that will affirm exactly who is the greatest light heavyweight fighter in the world.
The SaddoBoxing writers have weighed in with their predictions; don’t miss them as we wait for the opening bell to ring.
Katrina Walters: Well, this has been what we’ve all been waiting for. It is always a great fight when two fighters enter the ring, and in this case, one man, Glen Johnson, defending his title against the ex-champion Antonio Tarver. But the second time around, the man defeated always has something to prove, whether or not he can avenge his loss with a win and ultimately an upset is another thing. Such is the case between Johnson andTarver. I believe deep down Antonio Tarver will avenge his humiliating loss, regain the title and hopefully entice Roy Jones Jr. back into the ring. Against all gut feelings, I’m going for the underdog, in this case, Antonio Tarver. With all of his flamboyance and mouthing off, I really want him back in the picture. Tarver in eight.
Greg K: Antonio has come back from defeats and knocked out the two fighters that beat him prior to Glen Johnson. He seems to be able to make the adjustments needed to win the rematch and he also has decent power in his punch. When it comes to Glen Johnson you get the feeling that even though he had a great year in 2004, the hourglass is running out on him. It will be a competitive fight just like the last one, but Antonio will get the decision.
Shaun Rico LaWhorn: This is a defining fight for the light heavyweight division, which lacks talented fighters. Antonio Tarver (22-3, 18 KOs) has a lot to back up on this fight and he wants that spot light of the best in the light heavyweight division. Glen Johnson (42-9, 2 Draws, 28 KOs) is a blue-collar, hard approach kind of boxer and I expect him to be all business. Unusual quietness has been Tarver’s behavior, while training for this fight. Expect a deeply focused Tarver, who will feel Johnson out in the early rounds, allowing Johnson to throw a lot of punches, in hopes of him tiring him out. Quick counter shots, that left jab, right hook combo will be a problem for the tough Johnson. This fight will be competitive in the early rounds and action packed, as this will play a huge role in the later rounds. Johnson will become tired and Tarver will take advantage of this, landing that left power punch that will knock Johnson out in the tenth round.
Jim Cawkwell: I think this fight is the only available money fight for both men, with Roy Jones out of the picture. I don’t think that Tarver can match Johnson for stamina, and I also think that Tarver believes in his power a little more than he should; he goes looking for the one-shot finish when he needs to work, and when the championship rounds arrive, it’s too late to do anything. Johnson will keep working as long as he is upright in the fight and I don’t think Tarver can stop him. Johnson by close decision.
James MacDonald: This is a tough one to decide. I have a feeling Tarver may come out on top in this one. I feel, having been in the ring once with Johnson, Tarver will have his style figured out and will be able to more effectively counter it this time around. I envisage a fairly comprehensive decision victory for Tarver in this one.
William Wolfrum: The biggest prediction here is that this is going to be a fantastic fight. Both of these guys are hungry at should either be at the top of their games or pretty darn close. My main dilemma is that I can’t find the scenario for Johnson to win in my head. No matter how much I like what Johnson has become, I still feel that Tarver is the one that is capable of taking it up a level. Tarver by mid-round stoppage, say round eight.
Jonny Townsend: Johnson on points. Tarver has the skills and pedigree to beat any light heavyweight on the planet, but Johnson WANTS the fight more. Tarver talks well and fights great in spurts but Johnson is on a roll and will out-hustle the former Olympian to record another close points decision, forcing the fight for all three minutes of every round.
Sergio Martinez: Johnson vs. Tarver II lacks the public appeal that a fight of this magnitude deserves. It is a legitimate contest between the two best light heavyweight fighters on the planet. The problem is that “Gentleman” Glen Johnson has already settled who is the best with a split decision victory over Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver. Still, what other fight can be made at this weight that would be significant? Although Antonio is a “rematch type of guy” as our very own Shaun Rico LaWhorn eloquently noted, I just don’t think that he will be able out work Johnson, who is a very aggressive punching machine. Tarver tends to get lazy in the ring and gives rounds away. I will stick with Glen to iron out another twelve round split decision.
Edwin Gonzalez: I certainly felt that Antonio Tarver did enough in the first fight to pull out the decision. But if you look back, it is possible two things came back to haunt him. One, the fact that he took the tenth round off. This is boxing man! In a close fight, you never take any of the championship rounds off. The tenth, eleventh and twelfth are the three rounds the judges look at the most. To slack off in any of these rounds is just insane. The second thing being that Glen Johnson has been on the end of so many bad decisions, it was about time he had one go his way. Can you say poetic justice? So it’s rematch time. It’s still a very tough fight call. It’s a pick ’em fight, both fighters are thirty-six-years-old, both are former champions and both conquered the great Roy Jones. Glen Johnson’s style poses a lot of problems for Tarver. Johnson likes to put pressure on his opponents and just take the fight to them. If you are on the other end this doesn’t allow you to get set as well having you catch your balance. And don’t forget Glen has enormous heart. Now Tarver on the other hand has a lot more flaws and is very predictable. But he stills a great shot at stopping Johnson. Although Tarver just has one weapon, that straight left possesses Nyquil, whereas if Johnson gets careless and gets caught, he will go to sleep. It isn’t always a good idea to leave it to the judges. It’s like a full count in baseball and not swinging at a pitch over the plate and leaving it up to the umpire. Tarver knows this and he is 2-0 in rematches. Victorious via knockouts, I feel the streak continues tonight. So I am going with Antonio Tarver tonight via a ninth round technical knockout courtesy of a straight left hand. Rumor has it that Roy Jones will fight the winner. Let’s just hope that winner tonight moves to either cruiserweight or heavyweight. Thanks everybody for allowing me to run my mouth. Enjoy the fight and goodnight.
Richard Eberline: I don’t see the second Johnson-Tarver fight being much different from the first. I don’t think Tarver has ever dealt well with being attacked and in a contest of will and heart, he comes in second to Johnson every time. Glen Johnson does one thing well and that’s coming forward winging punches. If Tarver is to discourage Glencoffe, he’ll have to move a lot and counter sharply and at thirty-six-years-of-age, I just don’t see him as having the stamina to do so effectively. I see Johnson stopping Tarver in the ninth round or later.
Rich Saavedra: This Saturday night’s fight involving two of the world’s elite light heavyweights, should be one to remember! Glen “The Road Warrior” Johnson and Antonio “The Magic Man” Tarver will be meeting each other in the squared circle once again. Their first classic battle, saw Johnson come out on top with a split decision, but as you would guess it, Tarver didn’t agree with the judges on that night. So, Antonio Tarver demanded a rematch and swears that he is going to have his hands raised as the world’s light heavyweight champion this time around. Well, I think Glen Johnson is going to repeat his performance, but instead this time, Tarver is going down for the count and won’t be able to continue, as the fight will end in a referee stoppage towards the middle rounds. Johnson in eight rounds by technical knockout.
The Verno Phillips-Ike Quartey fight which is on the under-card of the Johnson-Tarver rematch, should also be interesting. You have a crafty veteran on one side (who in his prime was a great fighter) which his only option is to win in order to keep his career alive and then you have Ike Quartey who is trying to revitalize his career and get into the mix for a title shot. Who wants it more? I’m thinking Ike Quartey. I see Quartey winning a unanimous decision due to the fact that he is hungry to be on top of the food chain again as he once was years ago. But you can’t count Verno Phillips out as he is a veteran of the ring and a hell of a boxer.
Jim Cawkwell can be reached at jimcawkwell@yahoo.co.uk
