Jones vs. Tarver

November 8, 2003

Las Vegas, Nevada

HBO PPV

I didn’t expect this fight tonight. Roy Jones Jr. looked tired and for the first time, beatable. It was obvious

that in the middle rounds, he was losing steam. Jones Jr. started to breathe through his mouth and he just

wasn’t letting his hands go. The weight loss affected him more than I thought it would. But equally as

important, Tarver was a lot better than I gave him credit for.

This wasn’t one of the best fights I have ever seen, but it was the best fight I have ever seen Jones Jr. in. For

the first time, he was challenged and his heart and desire were tested.

Tarver boxed a good fight in the opening rounds, popping his jab, going to the body but once he got tagged a

couple of times, he seemed to get cautious - too conservative.  It seemed like he let his hands go only when

Jones Jr. would cover up and back into a corner.

In a way, it was like he would only hit Jones Jr. when Jones. Jr. wanted to be hit. And tonight, that tactic for

Tarver didn’t win him this fight. Tarver just didn’t do much in the center of the ring and that’s what cost him.

The judges had it 114-114, 117-111, 116-112 for Jones Jr.

And to his credit, Tarver didn’t run around trying to clinch. In my prediction, I thought Jones. Jr. would punish

Tarver. I was wrong.  Tarver showed the heart of a champion and accounted himself well against the fighter

who many believe is the best pound for pound fighter in the world. I have no doubts he will reign as light

heavyweight champion again.

And as for Jones Jr., he did enough to win the fight on my score card (115-113)  with his work to the body

and his right hands but at times, he would just do a facsimile of the Ali rope-a-dope by just covering up and

letting Tarver come in and hit him. I’ve seen Jones Jr. do this before but he usually spins out and counters

and makes his opponent pay.

But not tonight. Whether he was looking to just rest or trying to tire out Tarver, Jones. Jr. trainer didn’t like it

and between rounds eight and nine, told him so.

Jones Jr. said in the after-fight interview with Larry Merchant that the 25 lbs. he had to lose to make the light

heavyweight weight limit affected his performance. He said that he was very tired in the late rounds. No

doubt, he had very little body fat to begin with so the weight he lost was muscle.

And like a true champion, he overcame his fatigue and battled back to win the last two rounds (at least on

my score card). I must say, I was impressed.

And now, with his light heavyweight titles reclaimed, he told Merchant that he wants to fight Mike Tyson or

else this was it. He’s done.

If this was his last fight, then I say he saved the best for last.

SN

(11/8/03)