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HBO PPV Boxing Results Roy Jones Jr. vs. Antonio Tarver
May 15, 2004 Mandalay Bay Las Vegas, Nevada HBO PPV
WBC & IBO Light Heavyweight
Title Bout (12 Rds) KO's) - Tarver wins back his titles
31 KO's)
Heavyweight
Bout (10 Rds) Burgos retains title
Old martial arts adage: On any given day. What that basically means is that on any given day, any outcome can happen in a fight and we really shouldn't be surprised at whatever the outcome is no matter who is fighting. Now, I didn't think Jones Jr. would knockout Tarver but I didn't think Tarver would knockout Jones Jr. either. I would have been surprised if either one won by knockout but I shouldn't have been. I thought this fight had the potential to be a slug fest but wow - one punch, a left hook, and Jones Jr. is on the canvas ala Tyson\Douglas and the fight is over - Tarver wins by second round knockout. Much respect to Tarver. In the post fight interviews, Tarver gave much respect to Jones Jr., to his credit. And Jones Jr. gave credit to Tarver and said he didn't have any excuses for the knockout but if I read between the lines of what he said, and it's just my opinion, I think he was saying that he had trouble at this weight again and if he fought again, it would be at heavyweight as that is the only thing that interests him (kind of implying he wasn't motivated for this fight for Tarver). Not a dig at Jones Jr. - when we all lose at one point, we always look for why and I think that's what he was doing. I don't think it was meant to take anything away from Tarver. I highly doubt we will see Jones Jr. vs. Tarver III at light heavyweight but who knows if the money is right about heavyweight. Don King voiced that Tarver at heavyweight could be a possibility against one of the champions but why not Jones Jr. for the rubber match. Hats off to Tarver for a great win.
SN
(5/15/04)
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