Good matchup...Johnson races to an early lead and Tarver finishes a bit stronger, but Im not totally sure who would finish with the W. Could be one of those ones where it depends on what you like, Johnson's aggression or Tarver's cleaner counter punching...I give the slightest of edges to Antonio though, for some reason..Probably because I think he has a good enough chin for him to survive Marvin's onslaughts. I think he takes a tight and unpopular (but necessarily unjust) decision.
I'll go with old pops on this one. Tarver is not going to react well to that busy busy busy style of Johnson's. He forces opponents to fight 3 minutes per round and Tarver is one of those guys that likes a snails pace and to work about 30 seconds a round and be a little ahead on the scorecards at the end of the round. Then, as rounds go by, Tarver is up on the cards and just coasts. The thing with Johnson was an opponent had to punch him off of because the fight was going to be in 4th gear. I don't even think Tarver goes into 3rd when going for a tko. He's a second gear guy & if you let him set the pace, he can box his way to the victory. I think Marvin overwhelms him early and often and he'll hurt Tarver and finish him.
Agree with Zadfrak. Thoughts on the decisions aside Tarver was huffing and puffing with old Glen Johnson, he would be run out of the ring, pinned against the ropes and possibly horribly knocked out here.Simply doesn't commit offensively enough, nor have the workrate...i think his best shot would be trying to time Johnson with a huge straight left early.
And that could happen. Nobody ever had a hard time landing punches on Marvin. But you had to ko him, because he was the rare breed that does not get discouraged. Every now and then you see these matches with the boxers and true aggressors. Pryor comes to mind. The opponents just cannot fight at that activity level they like and it changes everything. It's kind of like a drummer doing early 60's pop hits trying to play in a thrasher heavy metal band.
I agree, Johnson by knockout. He was a whirl-wind of power and aggression, and a strong combination puncher. Tarver was far too conservative and, in my opinion, lacking in class to find the antidote for a fighter like Johnson.
Agreed. Johnson could be had, but you had to really put forth a hard, consistent effort to get him to finally fall, and Tarver wouldn't be able to hang. The only sudden ending to one of Johnson's fights was the Spinks fight of course, but one fight does not make a trend. Besides, Tarver ain't no Spinks.
Tarver ain't no Mustapha Muhammad, either. He, more than anyone else, was the only guy to really get the better of Johnson throughout the entire fight, and while Tarver shares EMM's tendency to throw a limited number of punches per round, he lacked the willingness to roast the ribs and the overall skill-set that Mustapha brought to the dance that night. Tarver has some moments, and lands some shots, but I think Marvin manages to get into a groove and outworks Antonio to get the nod over 12.
Ill stick in the minority and give Tarver a decent chance of winning this one. I hear what people are saying though, on reflection Antonio's stamina was questionable. He did have some good last 1/3's in fights but that was often after doing **** all early. He cant really afford to sit back and just wait it out, Marvin would pushing him so damn hard early on. Whilst not being that good a fighter and not particularly likeable, I think he gets a bit of bum rap on here sometimes. Im not going as far to say he is underrated, just I think the milkdud is one of those fighters that gets looked at half glass empty.
