Tarver and Jones’ tussle a lopsided affair in finale of trilogy
By: Rich Quiñones
Photo: Rodney Long/InsideBoxing.com (Click on picture for larger view)

Tampa, FL (Inside Boxing, October 1,2005) - Antonio Tarver easily defended his world light heavyweight belt by scoring a 12-round unanimous decision over Roy Jones Jr. Saturday night at the St. Pete Times Forum, in the finale of a heated trilogy between two marquee boxers.

It's been a long-standing of mutual respect for Jones and Tarver. The two men have known each other since the age of 13 when they fought at the Sunshine State Games in Florida. Jones, the former undisputed light heavyweight champion and a titlist in four divisions, beat Tarver in a controversial majority decision in November of 2003. However, it was a lopsided affair in this one, as Jones looked old and slow while Tarver was relentless in the ring and it showed on the scorecard. The 36-year-old Jones, who was a four-division champion and dubbed “the king in the ring” for a decade, looked more like a journeyman fighter holding on for one last shot. The veteran was very reluctant to engage with Tarver, allowing him to dictate the fight and land enough shots to pile up points on the scorecard. When it was all said and down, the judges had it 117-111, 116-112 and 116-112 for Tarver (24-3).

Once defined as the best pound-for-pound fighter, Jones (49-4) couldn't mount a rally Saturday night, as he resembled a different fighter from his younger days when he plowed through the light heavyweight division and even stepped up to beat John Ruiz in a WBA heavyweight title fight in March of 2003. Tarver, who essentially fought on his home turf of Tampa and was backed by the crowd, kept Jones at bay most of the fight and limited the veteran’s ability to throw combinations and quick glancing blows. Tarver was constantly on the prowl and was able to score effective jabs. The fighter also proved he could contain his emotions when Jones, who has now dropped his last three fights, tried to taunt him, in the latter stages of the fight. He was also able to back Jones into the ropes, capturing rounds two and three.

Jones, who hails from Pensacola, was the aggressor in the fourth round and came out strong in the next round before Tarver pounded Jones into a corner of the ring. Jones, though, refused to fade and came right back, landing several uppercuts and jabs to score big later in the round.

A cocky Jones wiggled his head, almost taunting Tarver in the middle rounds, but one could sense the desperation in his punches as well as his uncertainty in his eyes. However, Tarver was unfazed and landed often, backing Jones into the corner in the eighth and setting the tone for the next two rounds.

The 10th round brought a series of pounding punches by Tarver, but Jones retaliated for a brief moment by pinning Tarver against the ropes. However, most of Jones' punches missed, as Tarver leaned his head over the ropes and conserved his energy.

The 11th round looked like the end for Jones, who was stunned by a solid right to the face and his eyes looked glazed. However, he was able to avoid a knockout, mainly because Tarver didn't have a lot of firepower left and wanted to avoid a mistake, knowing he was far ahead on the scorecards. There would be no rally for Jones in the 12th, as Tarver stayed away for the most part. Even according to the statistics, Tarver was dominant, as he landed 100 more punches (158-58) than Jones throughout the fight It marked a long layoff for Jones, who hadn't fought since September 25, 2004 when his head hit the canvas in crushing fashion after being knocked out in the ninth round in a defeat to Glen Johnson for the IBF light heavyweight crown.

“It was hard to go out like I did after getting knocked out two times, but I am satisfied with my performance. I realize that I lost the fight," said Jones afterwards.

“You'll definitely see me at ringside but I am not sure if you will see me back in the ring or not. Being the champion that I am, I may be back. I was good tonight but not good enough. Tarver will give me a hard time in my best days as a light heavyweight."

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