BraggingRightsCorner.com - "Tarver vs Johnson- Who Wins and How: An Exclusive BRC Poll" ... by Elisa Harrison

JOSE HERNANDEZ

DANNY SERRATELLI
Antonio Tarver by Unanimous decision.
KENNY PERRAULT
Tarver by 7th round KO
MIKE LETOURNEAU
While I believe Johnson will come out aggressive and make the fight interesting, Tarver is the better skilled fighter and will eventually catch him. I'll go with Tarver by a 9th round TKO.
GEORGE ELSASSER
Pretty much a no-brainer … choice is Tarver by decision. Too many advantages over a Glen Johnson that may well have hit the jackpot with the RJJR knockout but, in boxing age, has reached AARP qualifying numbers.

Tarver no spring chicken, but enjoys the fresher body after no more than a rookie number total of 24 (22-2) pro bouts and facing a grizzled veteran of 52 (41-9-2) office visits. Toss in the height, quickness and working from the port side against a slower man and it’s pretty much a lock.

While both enjoy the celebrity of killing Superman I see no stoppage in this one. Am not buying the Tarver one punch looping Hail Mary to the RJ sweet spot as some newly found weapon … and Johnson has not found the fountain that Ponce was once searching for. Thus, it’s Tarver in control from start to finis and Glen’s back to back mega paychecks is a fantastic way to call it a career.
FRANK GONZALEZ JR.
Looking at the match up of Glen Johnson vs Antonio Tarver, my first thoughts were that Tarver would win by KO early. But after thinking about it a bit, I notice that Tarver has moments in rounds where he doesn't do much but stand around looking disinterested. Johnson showed in his biggest fight against Roy Jones Jr. that he will bring the fight and outwork his opponent. He showed some serious dedication in his performance against Jones and I expect his match with Tarver will be equally inspired.
Look for this to be a close fight with Johnson outworking Tarver and win by
split decision.
ED LUDWIG
We close out 2004 with a very appealing match-up. Glen Johnson and Antonio Tarver have looked very impressive heading into Saturday's fight. It was Roy Jones Jr.'s back to back losses that made the battle of the two best happen. Tarver is on top of his game but I question Johnson being considered the number two man in the Light Heavyweight division. I am going with Tarver to win on points. I feel that going into the later rounds Tarver will be able to pull away. Johnson is a good fighter and technically sound but he has been in a lot of tough fights and is somewhat shopworn. Tarver has not had as many fights or wars and I think he can be the top Light Heavyweight as long as his body lets him.
TOM DICKEY
I like Tarver by a decision. I really believe this fight has the opportunity to be a very good fight. Johnson constantly pressured Roy, but I don't think he will be quite as aggressive this time around. If it turns into a boxing match, Tarver should excel, if it turns into a brawl then Johnson could pull off another upset. Both have showed good chins, and both have showed good power. But it's hard to pick against Tarver, but expect Johnson to make it a tough fight. Hopefully if Johnson does lose, it's not by a bad decision which has haunted Johnson many times in the past.
BLAINE HISLOP
Tarver by KO (probably mid to late rounds). Johnson's a nice guy and a solid pro, but he basically waxed an over-rated bum in RJ Jr.
JOEL EISEN
Tarver KO 5. Too quick, too polished.
VITTORIO M. GOMEZ
I see total annihilation of Johnson. He hits canvas within 4 rounds and doesn't get up.
OSCAR SOBORRAS
Antonio Tarver should win by decision. Glen Johnson is not in the same league as Tarver, who has been in the ring against better opposition.
CHRIS ROBINSON
Some people question Antonio Tarver's work ethic and dislike him as a person while most folks don't have enough nice things to say about Glen Johnson. That's all great but opinions don't do as much damage in the ring as do punches and I can't see Tarver losing this one. Johnson is extremely likeable and one to root for, but I just think Tarver is the better fighter. Tarver by Unanimous Decision.
ROBERT HERNANDEZ
I'm going with an upset. I feel Johnson is going to outwork Tarver. he will trap him in the ropes and pound the body. he will have rough moments but has a sturdy enough chin to take the Magic Man's punches. I feel that Tarver will be over confident and get out worked by the busy Johnson.
MARK SCHAEFER
At 35, these two are really both past their prime. It's do or die time. I just have an odd feeling about this one. I predict Tarver surprises everyone, and wins by a knock-out in the fifth.
JAMES ROBERTS
I'm selecting Tarver on a decision (8 rounds to 4). Tarver has superior height and mobility for his size. The nod goes to the overall better boxer (not saying that Johnson is a slouch).
JEFF MAYWEATHER
I pick Tarver by decision; a very rugged hard fought decision. I think Johnson will force Tarver to work a lot harder than he has in any of his previous fights. Tarver will have to be at his best, Johnson will keep up the outstanding pressure bringing out the best in Tarver. I feel Tarver will make the necessary adjustments needed to prevail. Tarver by hard fought unanimous decision.
OLEG BERSHADSKY
This fight's appeal is entirely based on the fact that these two fighters knocked out Roy Jones Jr. and because of this I don't expect it to live up to its expectations. But in any case, I believe that Tarver will outpoint a very focused and determined Johnson on his way to a unanimous decision.
THOMAS CANNON
Johnson by decision for the fight on Saturday. Tarver believes his career is legitimized by the fights with RJJ, I tend to disagree. Great fighter, big mouth, usually makes for good entertainment but maybe not necessarily good focus. JOHNSON by MD.
DAVID L. ROSS
At this point in his career, Tarver still has the speed to contend with strong punchers, and can also hit with the best of them. Johnson came out like a house of fire against Roy Jones with success, so look for him to keep up the pressure in this fight. But it’s not going to be enough against the crafty southpaw Tarver, who should be able to beat a tired Johnson by unanimous decision. Johnson has the heart to stay in this fight, but not the skill to keep up with Tarver over 12 rounds.
MIKE LEANARDI
Tarver via Unanimous Decision. He'll win at least 8 rounds probably.
ELISA HARRISON
This fight is about redemption between two men who have been terribly overlooked and underrated throughout most of their careers. Oddly enough, fate had it that they both exposed Roy Jones, Jr. Tarver did it twice, the first time the judges robbed him, and Johnson left nothing to the imagination in his demolition of a guy who still thinks of himself as Pound for Pound #1. (Did he have an MRI of the brain after the two vicious knockouts? If Roy keeps referring to himself as P4P, an MRI should be mandatory).
But back to the business at hand, I am looking forward to this match up of two fighters who have given their all and have proven themselves very worthy. They are champions in my book, and I have two wishes: 1) that the judges wear the correct eyewear and 2) may the best man win.