Any version of overrated Tarver stands no choice against the great Harold Johnson. However Tarver had a very good chin and I would bet he goes the distance
Dude, people named 'Harold' do not beat people named 'Antonio.' That is why you even name your kid names like Antonio. So they will beat up people named Harold. And not get beat up by people named Harold.
How many southpaws had Johnson faced? I'm guessing not many given they used to covert them to orthodox. This gives quite a big advantage to Tarver alongside his advantages in height, reach and power. So Johnson would have to figure out the southpaw angles and foot placement. He'd have to not use the jab as much because that would get countered by Tarver's counter left. While Archie Moore would read opponents, Johnson seems stiffer. I think Tarver can time the straight left and hurt Johnson, much like Archie and Ezzard did. I thought Ezzard was robbed against Johnson. Tarver of Harding 2 fight by mid-rounds KO
He fought Bert Lytell. A better southpaw, albeit different style, than Tarver could ever hope to be. It tends to be a hook which counters the jab from a southpaw, the movement of the lead hand doesn't actually give any more of an opening than what was already presented. The left hand isn't giving any extra opportunities to land from a jab, in fact it's generally hindered by movement to the left. I don't know what you're talking about with Ezz hurting Johnson with the left. Neither hurt eachother in that fight. Johnson also picked up wins vs Moore. Looking at the fighters who troubled Tarver, a past it Jones beat him fair and square, as did a 40+ year old Hopkins. Both boxers, with different approaches. Harold's was in-between, but the jab and movement clearly gave Tarver issues. Why wouldn't Johnson's?Harold didn't fight a hard-hitting southpaw stalker, as far as I know, but he did beat a plethora of fighters with the combined attributes which Tarver had. I'm quite positive the one inch reach advantage of Tarver is going to make a monumental difference. Johnson's speed and footwork advantages are much more important here. Tarver could get a KO, but imo it's more unlikely than otherwise.
