Antonio Tarver v Roy Jones III
Antonio Tarver v Roy Jones III
Jones picked up a majority points win in their first encounter back in November 2003 before being knocked out in the second round by Tarver six months later.
And it was the latter who took a 2-1 lead in their titanic trilogy when getting the nod by scores of 116-112 twice and 117-111 at the St Pete Times Forum.
Boxing politics meant that only the lightly-regarded IBO light-heavyweight title was at stake on this occasion, but Tarver still established himself as the world’s best in the 12st 7lb division.
The 36-year-old had previously gained revenge for his December 2004 loss to Glen Johnson when outpointing the Jamaican in June.
‘Magic Man’ Tarver took his overall record to 24-3 while the once invincible Jones slipped to a third straight defeat, having also been knocked out by Johnson in between his two losses to Tarver.
In front of a sell-out crowd of just under 21,000, Jones more than held his own in the first half of the fight, showing glimpses of the brilliant best which saw him claim world titles all the way up from middleweight to heavyweight in his hey-day.
However, when the 36-year-old began to fade, Tarver took over and built up a useful lead before seriously troubling his great rival in the 11th round.
Jones showed the heart of a champion to hit back in the 12th but Tarver had done enough to claim a deserved victory.
“I had to do my homework. I had to go to school and I passed with flying colours. If I would have made a mistake, he would have punished me,” said Tarver.
“Ya’ll thought I was gonna be one-punch happy, but I passed my test. I did my homework.
“You’re playing chess all-around. It’s a chess game. One mistake and I’m checkmate. “Give a man credit where credit is due. He was beaten by a better fighter. Period.”
Jones added: “I was satisfied with my performance, but I do realise that I lost the fight.
“I’m not the kind of fighter, like Johnson, that can brawl. And that’s the way you have to fight to beat Tarver.
“Tarver would have given me all I could handle in my best days as a light-heavyweight. “I got hurt once and I think that was the turning point of the fight. He hit me with a good shot.
“But I kept coming. Can’t nobody else beat me but Tarver, and I’ll be back because God blessed me with a true talent.”
