How good was Tarver really?

Tarver v Woods was an atrocious fight which Tarver won simply by virtue of being the less atrocious of the two fighters. He looked bad though, he wanted to stop for a breather anytime he threw a punch.

 

I agree with most of your post.

I think the Hopkins/Tarver fight showed how good Hopkins was more than how bad Tarver was. You had a predictable guy who was looking for that one big shot. In retrospect, that's like the worst game plan against Hopkins and he probably should've fought a slightly different game plan. He probably just expected to be able to push Hopkins around and rely on the big left. What he should've done was throw less bad intention shots and just try to score.

 

C+ or B- fighter at times..Nothing special IMO..1 hit wonder too!

 

One hit wonder my ass. Buster Douglas was a one hit wonder.

One hit wonders don't beat Glen Johnson (i think he clearly won both fights), Montel Griffin, Eric Harding, Clinton Woods, and last but not least, Roy Jones. You can make an excuse that RJ was this and that but you have to give Tarver SOME credit.

 

Tarver was opportunistic. He got under Roy's skin and convinced him to meet him at 175. Bad move. The weight coming from HW was too much. Ironically, Tarver basically did something similar when he gained weight for the Rocky movie.

As far as how good I think Tarver is or was, I think his late start as a pro impacted his positioning. Basically de didn't face very many guys in their prime including RJJ, B-Hop, Woods, Johnson and Harding and he lost to each of those guys with the exception of Woods. All in all, I think he will be mostly remembered for KO'ing RJJ which ultimately will not get him in the hall of fame. His fight against Dawson will probably cement his retirement.

 

Tarver was a great amateur that's for sure.

 

He was more than a 1 hit wonder, he reminds me of a Iran Barkely in terms of accomplishments -- perhaps better, although Irans victories over a past-it but not shot Hearns mean more than any victory Tarver had.

Tarver was a good fighter, decent pro though. I say this because he had some decent skills, the guy was a great amatuer.

 

personally I think tarver talked a better game than he actually fought. I wish he fought as well as talked trashed. B level fighter at best........

 

The people who are saying he's no good need to take a ****in reality check. He was not a great fighter but he was good. I mean I personally think his age caught up with him and he's just not the fighter he was.

 

I would say he was just lucky

 

Good post. First paragraph on point. I was also going to ask due to hearing that Tarver started as a pro very late in the game. Who knows what more he could have accomplished.

 

Woods has been crap overseas. It has to be said.

 

At his best Tarver likely was an A- fighter or so. In any time period he would be able to "hang with the elite", while not being the very top.

 

YEA, and only boxing fans like me and you know that he beat Woods, Griffin,Harding, and all that...Your regular boxing fan don't know that ****...He landed a power shot to RJJ in the 2nd fight..Thats why he's well known...AND BECAUSE WHEN PEOPLE SEE HIM THEY SAY, "HEY THATS THAT GUY IN ROCKY BALBOA."

 

Antonio Tarver was a solid fighter.