Contrasting fortunes of the the 46 year olds: Tarver, RJJ, Toney & Johnson

[T.M.K]

Hi Gents,

Ironically all are the same age, all turned pro at different times, all have had differing careers................. all are still active - and what a difference in their current activity-levels results.

1) RJJ fights tonight against a guy who is 12-9-2. He has two more bouts scheduled which could put him on a 10-fight win streak against club-fighters (Danny Santiago will be his best result)

2) Tarver just fought a draw with Cunningham and is probably ranked by most people as somewhere around 10-20 in the world.

3) Toney just got almost shut-out by a clubfighter who was 9-3-1 going into the bout.

4) Johnson was closely but unanimously outpointed last night by a fighter who was 5-0.


It's 2015: roll back the years and it's strange to think that any of this lot are still active :(


T.M.K

[Boxing Prospect]

Just worth noting the guy who best Johnson isn't you're typical 5-0 guy, he looked really promising.

[KBB]

Tarver is somewhat relevant and just might get a strap at HW as long as he realizes he's not a power puncher at that weight, I think the win over Banks somehow filled his head with delusions of grandeur believing he could KO anyone but after the Cunningham fight he had a dose of reality because he hit him with his best and most flush shots but was still unable to put him away.

Jones is a just a f*cking joke and would do himself some good to continue to train fighters rather than be one, it's only a matter of time before one of these guys catch up to him and put him to sleep in devastating fashion relegating him back into the realm of the irrelevant once again.

Honestly I didn't even realize that Johnson was still fighting until you mentioned it here, I thought he just disappeared into obscurity but it seems that enough is never enough with these guys as they are seemingly able to still compete with younger prospects despite their aging bodies and diminished skillsets.

Tarver has called out Deontay Wilder in a bout that I'd love to see who wins, Wilder shows just enough vulnerability to allow Antonio a chance to outbox him and maybe even hurt him a few times before it's over. That doesn't mean I think he will win, just saying.

[JCS]

Was just going to make a post about this.... All these guys fighting in the same week (or so)? What year is this?

[jamesmcdonnell]

Tarver is somewhat relevant and just might get a strap at HW as long as he realizes he's not a power puncher at that weight, I think the win over Banks somehow filled his head with delusions of grandeur believing he could KO anyone but after the Cunningham fight he had a dose of reality because he hit him with his best and most flush shots but was still unable to put him away.

Jones is a just a f*cking joke and would do himself some good to continue to train fighters rather than be one, it's only a matter of time before one of these guys catch up to him and put him to sleep in devastating fashion relegating him back into the realm of the irrelevant once again.

Honestly I didn't even realize that Johnson was still fighting until you mentioned it here, I thought he just disappeared into obscurity but it seems that enough is never enough with these guys as they are seemingly able to still compete with younger prospects despite their aging bodies and diminished skillsets.

Tarver has called out Deontay Wilder in a bout that I'd love to see who wins, Wilder shows just enough vulnerability to allow Antonio a chance to outbox him and maybe even hurt him a few times before it's over. That doesn't mean I think he will win, just saying.

I think Wilder for all his flaws will be too quick and hit too hard.m

[palooka]

Boxing must be addictive, all 4 are so far from their primes. You'd imagine that they were content with their achievements, its strange that it's these people who have been at the very pinnacle of the sport who cannot walk away. They must, surely be financially secure?

[gregor]

They must surely be financially secure?

They are not. At least not RJJ and neither Toney. Both were owing serious debts in taxes... and considering they are no longer getting the paydays they used to, it is safe to assume that it won't change.

[SenorPipino]

Boxing must be addictive, all 4 are so far from their primes. You'd imagine that they were content with their achievements, its strange that it's these people who have been at the very pinnacle of the sport who cannot walk away. They must, surely be financially secure?

Financially secure. Are you joking?

How many 46 year olds, years past their primes, want to climb in the ring and put their health (and life) on the line, simply because they love boxing?

Maybe only the 50ish Bernard Hopkins.

The rest do it because they obviously frittered away the fortunes they made from years past. Boxing is probably the only thing they know that the are (were) good at, so they have no choice but to climb into the ring if they want to put food on the table (and finance their girlfriends' exorbitant lifestyles...ask Shane Mosley)

None of them have any realistic shot to win a title, and I suspect they all know it. But the few dollars they earn from their current ring ventures keep them in the black until it runs out and they have to do it again and again.

That is, until the day they're carried out.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Boxing must be addictive, all 4 are so far from their primes. You'd imagine that they were content with their achievements, its strange that it's these people who have been at the very pinnacle of the sport who cannot walk away. They must, surely be financially secure?

Financially secure. Are you joking?

How many 46 year olds, years past their primes, want to climb in the ring and put their health (and life) on the line, simply because they love boxing?

Maybe only the 50ish Bernard Hopkins.

The rest do it because they obviously frittered away the fortunes they made from years past. Boxing is probably the only thing they know that the are (were) good at, so they have no choice but to climb into the ring if they want to put food on the table (and finance their girlfriends' exorbitant lifestyles...ask Shane Mosley)

None of them have any realistic shot to win a title, and I suspect they all know it. But the few dollars they earn from their current ring ventures keep them in the black until it runs out and they have to do it again and again.

That is, until the day they're carried out.

I'm not sure you are correct. Money is not the only motivation. Imagine having been a boxer since the age of 8, which Jones Jr, and Tarver certainly were. When it's over, nothing in life can replicate the thrill of the fight, and the structure of a training camp. I've interviewed former fighters that almost broke down in tears when describing the day they realised they had to call it a day.

[punchoutsb]

Tarver is somewhat relevant and just might get a strap at HW as long as he realizes he's not a power puncher at that weight, I think the win over Banks somehow filled his head with delusions of grandeur believing he could KO anyone but after the Cunningham fight he had a dose of reality because he hit him with his best and most flush shots but was still unable to put him away.

Jones is a just a f*cking joke and would do himself some good to continue to train fighters rather than be one, it's only a matter of time before one of these guys catch up to him and put him to sleep in devastating fashion relegating him back into the realm of the irrelevant once again.

Honestly I didn't even realize that Johnson was still fighting until you mentioned it here, I thought he just disappeared into obscurity but it seems that enough is never enough with these guys as they are seemingly able to still compete with younger prospects despite their aging bodies and diminished skillsets.

Tarver has called out Deontay Wilder in a bout that I'd love to see who wins, Wilder shows just enough vulnerability to allow Antonio a chance to outbox him and maybe even hurt him a few times before it's over. That doesn't mean I think he will win, just saying.

Nothing is impossible in this great sport, but Tarver getting a world title from anyone at Heavy is about as close to impossible as you can get. I'd pick Mark de Mori over Tarver.

[KBB]

Tarver is somewhat relevant and just might get a strap at HW as long as he realizes he's not a power puncher at that weight, I think the win over Banks somehow filled his head with delusions of grandeur believing he could KO anyone but after the Cunningham fight he had a dose of reality because he hit him with his best and most flush shots but was still unable to put him away.

Jones is a just a f*cking joke and would do himself some good to continue to train fighters rather than be one, it's only a matter of time before one of these guys catch up to him and put him to sleep in devastating fashion relegating him back into the realm of the irrelevant once again.

Honestly I didn't even realize that Johnson was still fighting until you mentioned it here, I thought he just disappeared into obscurity but it seems that enough is never enough with these guys as they are seemingly able to still compete with younger prospects despite their aging bodies and diminished skillsets.

Tarver has called out Deontay Wilder in a bout that I'd love to see who wins, Wilder shows just enough vulnerability to allow Antonio a chance to outbox him and maybe even hurt him a few times before it's over. That doesn't mean I think he will win, just saying.

Nothing is impossible in this great sport, but Tarver getting a world title from anyone at Heavy is about as close to impossible as you can get. I'd pick Mark de Mori over Tarver.

I remember people thinking the same about Douglas KO'ing Tyson or Tarver putting Jones to sleep.

[punchoutsb]

Tarver is somewhat relevant and just might get a strap at HW as long as he realizes he's not a power puncher at that weight, I think the win over Banks somehow filled his head with delusions of grandeur believing he could KO anyone but after the Cunningham fight he had a dose of reality because he hit him with his best and most flush shots but was still unable to put him away.

Jones is a just a f*cking joke and would do himself some good to continue to train fighters rather than be one, it's only a matter of time before one of these guys catch up to him and put him to sleep in devastating fashion relegating him back into the realm of the irrelevant once again.

Honestly I didn't even realize that Johnson was still fighting until you mentioned it here, I thought he just disappeared into obscurity but it seems that enough is never enough with these guys as they are seemingly able to still compete with younger prospects despite their aging bodies and diminished skillsets.

Tarver has called out Deontay Wilder in a bout that I'd love to see who wins, Wilder shows just enough vulnerability to allow Antonio a chance to outbox him and maybe even hurt him a few times before it's over. That doesn't mean I think he will win, just saying.

Nothing is impossible in this great sport, but Tarver getting a world title from anyone at Heavy is about as close to impossible as you can get. I'd pick Mark de Mori over Tarver.

I remember people thinking the same about Douglas KO'ing Tyson or Tarver putting Jones to sleep.

Yep...but things like that are rare, which is why they are called upsets. Tarver will be destroyed the minute he fights a half decent true heavyweight.

[diddy]

Today's PEDs are extremely advanced.

[JCS]

Anyone watching Roy tonight? Through 4 it is a sh|t fest.

[Tanzio]

The contrasts pale to the similarity. They all should retire.

[KBB]

Yep...but things like that are rare, which is why they are called upsets. Tarver will be destroyed the minute he fights a half decent true heavyweight.

You don't.know that with certainty, this is boxing and anything can happen.

[punchoutsb]

Yep...but things like that are rare, which is why they are called upsets. Tarver will be destroyed the minute he fights a half decent true heavyweight.

You don't.know that with certainty, this is boxing and anything can happen.

Umm...that's why in my very first post I said nothing is impossible with boxing.

But Tarver getting a title is as close to impossible as you can get.

I mean if we just want to predict preposterous long shots then let's say Mike Marrone KO's Briggs in one to land a shot at Wlad and then KO's him in one. 'Cause after all Buster Douglas and anything can happen in boxing! Woop woop!

[Badhusker]

3 of the 4 have been caught juicing, so lost respect after that point.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Tarver is somewhat relevant and just might get a strap at HW as long as he realizes he's not a power puncher at that weight, I think the win over Banks somehow filled his head with delusions of grandeur believing he could KO anyone but after the Cunningham fight he had a dose of reality because he hit him with his best and most flush shots but was still unable to put him away.

Jones is a just a f*cking joke and would do himself some good to continue to train fighters rather than be one, it's only a matter of time before one of these guys catch up to him and put him to sleep in devastating fashion relegating him back into the realm of the irrelevant once again.

Honestly I didn't even realize that Johnson was still fighting until you mentioned it here, I thought he just disappeared into obscurity but it seems that enough is never enough with these guys as they are seemingly able to still compete with younger prospects despite their aging bodies and diminished skillsets.

Tarver has called out Deontay Wilder in a bout that I'd love to see who wins, Wilder shows just enough vulnerability to allow Antonio a chance to outbox him and maybe even hurt him a few times before it's over. That doesn't mean I think he will win, just saying.

Nothing is impossible in this great sport, but Tarver getting a world title from anyone at Heavy is about as close to impossible as you can get. I'd pick Mark de Mori over Tarver.

I remember people thinking the same about Douglas KO'ing Tyson or Tarver putting Jones to sleep.

Douglas wasn't 46.

[KBB]

Douglas wasn't 46.

Tell that to Banks who was KO'd by that 46 year old.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Douglas wasn't 46.

Tell that to Banks who was KO'd by that 46 year old.

Banks isn't wlad

[Like a Boss]

Was just going to make a post about this.... All these guys fighting in the same week (or so)? What year is this?

Seniors tour.

[Like a Boss]

The contrasts pale to the similarity. They all should retire.

It sure raises the question why haven't they retired and Lennox Lewis made an interesting and relevant comment the other day: "The ring is like a drug that never stops calling your name until it has taken everything it can from you."

[KBB]

Douglas wasn't 46.

Tell that to Banks who was KO'd by that 46 year old.

Banks isn't wlad

Wow, I didn't know that!! You're acting as if Wlad cannot be stopped/KO'd. The point of this is that this is boxing, anything can happen, I've seen it time and time again.

Who amongst us honestly thought Huck was going to get KO'd the other night?? Wlad just might be next on that list.

[rm1]

Surely RJJ doesn't need it he is still a smart guy who can earn good money from punditry. I suspect its entirely an ego thing with him.