Well, by now just about all precincts have been heard from … so what can this
tardy report tack on other than to say it was a tough one to call - maybe a few
hunches is all.
It opens with Johnson swarming and Tarver taking notes … advantage Johnson, but
Tarver turns it around over two, three, four, then it's a beauty in eyes of the
beholder down to the wire.
My unofficial had it Tarver 115-114 under point system, and 6-5-1 using round by
round method … the round I couldn’t separate was number eleven which was too
close to call.
What we got over 12 competitive candles of boxing was a spirited affair with
Tarver outscoring the constant Johnson press come hell or high water … it helped
the veteran war horse in finding up close and personal that Tarver more stings
than induces sleep. The "Hail Mary" wild & wicked left that starched Jones Jr.
was a one of a kinder. Never surfaced during last noche’s entire adventure.
And Johnson, reverted to form after his big knockout success with Jones … but
the toughness and disciplined work ethic managed to catch the eye of two of the
scoring judges.
With nothing but suspicion to go with, there was some unsettling actions prior
and during the fight that caught my attention. First nagging thought came when
hearing Tarver going the night show scene - isn’t the first, but doing the gig
so near fight nite raises a question or two.
Next was the stroll from dressing room to ringside with some silly kindergarten
looking art work resembling a crown atop his head … and the entourage that
seemed to have grown since his "BJ" days. Again, just a hunch that maybe Tarver
had fallen into the Michael Grant, Shane Mosley, Vernon Forrest trap before him.
Not sure of the exact round … maybe halfway mark, with quality head trainer
Buddy McGirt displaying signs of concern and shouting to Tarver for his
attention. Repeats to Tarver to look him in the eye when he’s talking. And while
McGirt is doing his best to make a point or two, there’s Tarver looking away and
speaking with joker leaning through ropes competing with Buddy.
And so it went to the wire and the judges had it Tarver 116-112 and Johnson with
matching 115-113 scores.
Post Scripts ~ Still believe that Tarver, at top of line condition and
preparation, should have little problems besting a much slower Johnson if using
them many advantages of height, and speed of hand and feet. The power punching
could always come along the line when in counter mode. But fact is, Tarver is
not the power puncher the résumé - or Jones KO - implies.
Johnson ~ Likable throwback in personality as so many past ones were … blue
collar in every manner. Not gifted with the clout the Jones fight had him
looking. More a durable, hard nose professional. Return should be another
tossup … my coin flip once again would favor Tarver - but someone should whisper
in the ear that his most valuable commodity is Buddy McGirt … and not some pool
room buddies and/or cheerleaders.
Closing Comments ~ Took in the tape of what the prior week PT Barnum crew
coughed up $50 to watch; the Vitali Klitschko eight round technical knockout
bludgeoning of hopeless Britain Danny Williams.
Without demeaning either fighter, had I closed my eyes from time to time, I’d
have expected when opening them again, to be in a yesterday smoke filled arena
and watching a prelim round Golden Gloves heavyweight battle.
And please, spare me how tough and game Williams was while rising from
knockdowns and leaking red fluid over the canvas round after round. That’s what
pro fighters agree to do once signing a contract - the missing comments after
the Tyson win, was the victory came because of Tyson leg injury not "Danny
Boy’s" punches.
Vitali may be seen as best today heavy by most … and chalk that up to shortage
of quality field at this time. But win or lose come next outing would be no
surprise from this neutral corner. Too stiff in style, still makes serious
technical errors.
Andre Ward ~ Age 20 and coming off Olympic light heavy Gold pretty much sums up
a sparkling amateur career. I’ll be brief … from what I saw last noche against a
33 year old late turning pro, maybe Andre’s next move should be to retire . Can
always strut about the ‘hood shouting he was undefeated pro. I’ve seen many
amateurs feeding on pugilistic pablum early on … but never one so lacking in all
areas than this kid. Maybe Tarver could give up the cheap looking cardboard
crown he wore into the ring - but not while leaving last nite … nice way to send
Andre on his merry and delusional way.
