I was kinda thinking along those lines. Tarver is a student of boxing, and has shown in the past that he can make corrections in rematches..But those were earlier in his career, and never vs a prime fighter like Dawson..
Tarver did land in the 3rd round but without a desired effect altough it took Dawson's attention.Tarver couldn't follow up and his power is gone.
As much as I want to believe not, I have to see how Dawson handles getting himself motivated against a guy he dominated once and how he bounces back from a hand injury, which he's never had before. Will he be as hungry as he was now that he's gone from people questioning whether he'd beat Tarver to now expecting to completely dominate and win via knockout? At the end of the day, it probably won't matter even if Dawson is off because as others have mentioned, Tarver's at the end of his rope. To give you an idea of the chance I think Antonio has of winning, I still wouldn't touch Tarver at 5-1- it should be about twice that. So, not a zero chance, but not much of one. 1/7 on Dawson looks like easy money though.
Tarver has nothing more than a punchers chance. I just hope Dawson does not get careless in the rematch.
Nope not at all, but I don't expect Dawson to win by stoppage either, I just think we're going to see the same exact fight as we did in the first fight.
I think it was around round 10 where Dawson put his hands down and let Tarver tee off on him repeatedly. I don't think Tarver even fazed him. Tarver winning this fight normally would require him to catch Dawson with something extremely powerful, I don't see it happening.
I just lurk here now because of all the ******s in this place. But I regurlarly call On The Grind radio show.:good
This did cross my mind. For some reason Dawson never looks totally motivated at the best of times. It may be difficult for him to get up for a fighter who he's just brushed aside with ease - to be firing on all cylinders for him. There is a very slight danger he thinks it's a given. Personally though, like you, I wouldn't touch Tarver even at 5/1. The odds need to be longer...
What people don't realize is that would of fought Tavoris Cloud if Tarver didn't activate the rematch clause. Usually IBF rules are mandatories are always first, and optional defenses, and rematches clauses are second.
The only way Tarver has a chance is if he can somehow turn back the clock (Tarver-Jones 3) but that's highly unlikely. The wars he went through with Eric Harding, Roy Jones, Jr, Glen Johnson and the beatings he took from Hopkins and Dawson has taken a toll on his body. He's 40 years old and he has a hard time making LHW, that will also take a toll on his body. Tarver is suppose to be a cruiserweighr right now, I just don't see him winning.
Tarver disagrees, he thinks it will be an exciting fight. That's why he activated the rematch, because he knows fans want to see him fight Dawson again. *sarcasm*. Seriously I would of rather see Dawson fight Tavoris Cloud and get his mandatory over with, that way he can fight the matches that are meaningful (Hopkins, Johnson, Calzaghe).