Tarver would lose, I never knew Clinton Woods was suppose to be great. But it should be a good fight.I just think that Dawson body work could slow Tarver down. But Tarver does have a strong left and if Chad doesn't work on his D, it might be lights out
Tarver didn't really look very good and he doesn't seem strong .. at 39 making 175 is probably starting to wear him out. Clinton Woods has always been terrible (limited if you prefer). The victory didn't mean much. Woods is overrated because this is ESB. Anyone who knows boxing could see from their careers it was unlikely that Woods would win .... Dawson should be able to decisively defeat this Antonio. Tarver is very near the end ... he can say what he will in the press but when push comes to shove I don't know if he will sign for Dawson next. He is more likely to want to get back in with Roy if he could.
Most people on this board picked Woods due to his better showing of late along with Tarver's bad showing of late. There were some people who picked Tarver but the majority had Woods winning. And i was one of them and i am a big Tarver fan. And Tarver easily made weight. Tarver's performance surprised me.
You could be right. Tarver doesn't come forward and breath down on a guy like Johnson. So Dawson would have more room to just box. And if it became a boxing match, i would favor the younger and quicker Dawson. But there is always the left hand of Tarver and if he connects, i think he could take Dawson out. Tarver is a good finisher IMO. I think one thing is for sure. Before yesterday's showings, almost everyone would've picked Dawson to rip Tarver a new one. But i'm not nearly as sure now.
Making the weight doesn't have to mean Antonio did it easily. As someone in his age group, I can attest to the possibility that Antonio may be at the upper range of LHWs in that he can easily get to 200 when not fighting and with his (relatively large) frame can't put much muscle on either because then he can't shrink down to 175. So, he looks to me like he's not as cut or strong as Hop (coming up in weight) or Dawson (who's younger). If Antonio puts on muscle he can't make LHW; but, the alternative is he is not very strong - though, his length helps provide better leverage then some. I think Hopkins' situation at middleweight was not completely dissimilar. Getting down to 160 at 6'1" in your 40s meant he wasn't feeling so robust ... compared to 175 where I'm sure he feels stronger. How did you think he looked? Was he the same Tarver that fought Roy and Glen? Better? Worse? Antonio is a good fighter and a better athlete than many poseurs being hyped on ESB .. Tarver KOs Kessler & maybe Calzaghe as well.
I still got Chad Dawson winning. But I dont know man, I think Chad might have lost some of his heart in that last fight, and that could potentially damage you. Tarver's confidence is up and he seems like he is ready. I dont kno If Chad is ready for the mental wars with Tarver. Especially coming off the fight he just had. But if Chad can stay focused I still see him beating Tarver. I already see the effects of not ahving FMSr. in the corner. He looked his best when he had him as a trainer.
Woods was a decent Lightheavyweight, nothing more. And he was getting up there in age, just like Tarver. Dawson would beat Tarver easily, imo.
