Jones v Tarver Nov 8th - who's bothered?

[Kilburn]

I'm not. And Winky v Hernandez on the undercard hardly gets the mouth watering. I get the feeling this card will not be shown in the UK and if so I won't be losing any sleep. I honestly didn't expect to see Jones back at light-heavy after his highly successful venture into the bigger league. I'm disappointed but then it's his career and he's done plenty already.

It's the 2 weekends either side which are important. We've already got Mayweather v N'Dou on SKY along with Gainer v Marquez on the undercard. I haven't heard any news about Barrera v Paquiao but surely we can expect an announcement soon regarding that one, probably from the BBC.

Fingers crossed. It's been a while since Barrera faced raw punching power like that of Paquiao, but then look what happened to Wilfredo Gomez when he stepped up. No doubt comparisons will be drawn over the next few weeks.

[steve689]

I'm actually looking forward to Tarver V Jones Jnr, i mean it's a grudge match and we all love one of those right?

[bennie]

I'm not. And Winky v Hernandez on the undercard hardly gets the mouth watering. I get the feeling this card will not be shown in the UK and if so I won't be losing any sleep. I honestly didn't expect to see Jones back at light-heavy after his highly successful venture into the bigger league. I'm disappointed but then it's his career and he's done plenty already.

It's the 2 weekends either side which are important. We've already got Mayweather v N'Dou on SKY along with Gainer v Marquez on the undercard. I haven't heard any news about Barrera v Paquiao but surely we can expect an announcement soon regarding that one, probably from the BBC.

Fingers crossed. It's been a while since Barrera faced raw punching power like that of Paquiao, but then look what happened to Wilfredo Gomez when he stepped up. No doubt comparisons will be drawn over the next few weeks.

Seems a step back for Jones. Imagine Billy Conn winning the heavyweight title against Joe Louis and then going back to the light-heavies! I can only assume Jones really did move up as a one-off, and just toyed with the idea of a defence or two. But it makes me wonder how he's going to 'get up' now for the Tarver fight. He was an hour late for the press conference to announce the fight.

[Deserter]

I'm actually looking forward to it as Tarver has definitely got under Jones's skin. I also happen to think he's got the tools to make it his toughest fight since the first Montell Griffen bout. I still think Jones will win, probably by late stoppage, but I think Tarver's going to put in a surprisingly good showing. You're going to be surprised!

[Kilburn]

Grudge matches are fine when it's anything close to an even match up, but Tarver might as well hand over the belts now because he's got nothing to beat Roy Jones with.

Macklin v Facey is more like it (though obviously a few leagues below). Bennie is this match definately still on? SKY only have Hunt v John listed for next thursday.

[Kilburn]

By the way bridgie boy I didn't see your post before I sent mine - I wasn't discounting your opinion. I just think Tarver is an average fighter - and average doesn't beat the P4P #1 even on his worst night.

[REAL_DEAL]

we all knew that roy wouldnt fight a big heavy,

this fight is a good fight better than roys last hand full of light heavy fights, bad news for woods and co

[bennie]

Macklin v Facey is more like it (though obviously a few leagues below). Bennie is this match definately still on? SKY only have Hunt v John listed for next thursday.

The fight has been pushed back to November. Macklin hurt his hand in training.

[TerribleTerry]

Grudge matches are fine when it's anything close to an even match up, but Tarver might as well hand over the belts now because he's got nothing to beat Roy Jones with.

Macklin v Facey is more like it (though obviously a few leagues below). Bennie is this match definately still on? SKY only have Hunt v John listed for next thursday.

Could be a good fight - too many of Jones' Light Heavy defences resembled public sparring sessions as the gulf in class and Roy's cautious approach led to little excitement.
This, however, should be different, with a motivated RJJ either coming out of the blocks very quickly and trying to take Tarver out early to prove a point. Either that or he will toture him for twelve rounds, much in the way a cat plays with a mouse before killing it.
I hope one of the TV stations picks it up, because a motivated Roy Jones is a real spectacle.

Macklin v Facey is definitly off. Macklin was forced to with drawl due to a recurring hand injury. Shame as I was looking forward to his first forray into title class.

[TerribleTerry]

Grudge matches are fine when it's anything close to an even match up, but Tarver might as well hand over the belts now because he's got nothing to beat Roy Jones with.

Macklin v Facey is more like it (though obviously a few leagues below). Bennie is this match definately still on? SKY only have Hunt v John listed for next thursday.

[Goz]

Unfortunately this is the way you end up feeling about most of RJJ's fights these days. Unless he fights a great big Heavyweight it just isn't going to set the pulse racing, and is it fair for us to expect him to fight a big Heavyweight?

I reckon we will see him in with the winner of Holyfield-Toney next year...

[stujones]

Just a few questions about this fight.

Is it for Tarver's titles, in other words, is this back down at light Heavy.

Just I've heard so many, very reliable, stories of whenever people see Roy Jones that's all he's doing eating.

On another board where I post guys there (who are more hooked up on the US scene than myself) are still expressing their surprise that this match is on. From them speaking with Jones and seeing snacking all the time they thought he'd never make Light Heavy again.

They didn't say he was like Hamed or anything, just looks solid (around the 14stone mark).

At 34 all this weight fluctuation is not going to do his career much good.

So for that purpose I am looking forward to this contest.

While some people may diagree Roy has already beaten arguably the best small heavyweight around, it is debatable for sure, but the only match that seemed feesable and quite compelling was Jones vs Byrd. Given Byrd's recent display, that match doesn't look like it would be competitive.

I say small heayweight - I know Tua is small in height, but not in Weight same with Rahman. And while I do class Tyson a small heavyweight, he's as strong as some of those big guys (looking at it for a RJJ perspective - before people have a go).

So really as a heavyweight there were 3 options for Jones (again, I love for Jones to fight any of the above mentioned fighters, but all could hurt him). These were Byrd, Holyfield and Ruiz.

Something went wrong in the Holyfield negotations - so a move back down (hope for Woods sake it is temporary) - to KO Tarver isn't a bad move.

Also makes it interesting cause he can keep puting on and shedding stones.

[bennie]

Just a few questions about this fight.

Is it for Tarver's titles, in other words, is this back down at light Heavy.

Just I've heard so many, very reliable, stories of whenever people see Roy Jones that's all he's doing eating.

On another board where I post guys there (who are more hooked up on the US scene than myself) are still expressing their surprise that this match is on. From them speaking with Jones and seeing snacking all the time they thought he'd never make Light Heavy again.

They didn't say he was like Hamed or anything, just looks solid (around the 14stone mark).

At 34 all this weight fluctuation is not going to do his career much good.

So for that purpose I am looking forward to this contest.

While some people may diagree Roy has already beaten arguably the best small heavyweight around, it is debatable for sure, but the only match that seemed feesable and quite compelling was Jones vs Byrd. Given Byrd's recent display, that match doesn't look like it would be competitive.

I say small heayweight - I know Tua is small in height, but not in Weight same with Rahman. And while I do class Tyson a small heavyweight, he's as strong as some of those big guys (looking at it for a RJJ perspective - before people have a go).

So really as a heavyweight there were 3 options for Jones (again, I love for Jones to fight any of the above mentioned fighters, but all could hurt him). These were Byrd, Holyfield and Ruiz.

Something went wrong in the Holyfield negotations - so a move back down (hope for Woods sake it is temporary) - to KO Tarver isn't a bad move.

Also makes it interesting cause he can keep puting on and shedding stones.

Yes, this fight is definitely for Tarver's WBC and IBF titles. I had my doubts as to whether the fight was going to come off when I first heard about it, but so far so good.

[Dutch Windmill]

I'm bothered, because I'll go to the fight

I know it's not a great fight on paper, but it might be one of the last chances to view RJJ, there is not much left for him to prove after this.
And if Tarver pulls of the upset, at least I can say I was there.

[stujones]

I have to say I'm amazed at the lack of interest in this fight

I know compared to what he did in March of this year (which alone puts him right up there in the fighter of the year candidates - alongside Mayorga) this fight is a bit of a let down.

But Tarver is the number 3 Light Heavy out there, some say number 2 based on Dariuz's last few displays, after years of the Jones messing around with the likes of Hall, Gonzales and (sorry) Woods - its nice to see Roy fight one of only two people who, when he was light heavyweight champ, people wanted to see him fight.

At to intrigue of him pilling on and then shedding the weight it makes this fight kind of interesting.

I would prefer him to stay at Heavyweight, especially after he firstly said Ruiz was a one-off and then changed his mind. However, if its not to be at heavyweight there are still lots of options for him.

Incidently, I know I just stated that some people wanted to see Jones vs Tarver before he challenged Ruiz, I wasn't one of them - I don't think Tarver is all that and is very beatable champion (Woods!!). But I think this dieting gives this fight a bit of drama.

[Twinkle Toes]

It seems a bit odd to step back. There are some very tasty fights at heavy for him, but he dont seem interested in those at the moment.

I agree with Goz, I expect he will want to fight the winner of Holy/Toney. A lot about Jones, and his career of late comes across as very calculated.

[Kilburn]

The fight is 6 weeks away and Jones Jr is a natural athlete who's never struggled to make weight before. The diet thing is a non issue as far as I'm concerned.

I don't hold anything against Jones for taking this fight - 175 is his division after all. But Tarver, while being a decent enough fighter, does nothing exceptionally well. Nothing at all.

[MightyWarrior]

It's a bit of an anti climax...I was hoping for Jones/Sanders - ie someone who has a chance at least.
Tarver is good, but how the hell's he going to beat Superman? Jones is now in the legend stage, so I'm sure the BBC will pick it up, or maybe Setanta -

Though Winky Wright on PPV is just not right. He's usualy in the sort of fights you'd pay not too watch.

Jones acted like a maniac at the Tarver press conf' - yelling at Buddy McGirt that he'd tear him up, biting his own hand at one point, saying he was ready to go right now. He did apologise in the end.

I like Tarver's confidence, so it might be interesting for awhile..

[Ulysses]

I'm not. And Winky v Hernandez on the undercard hardly gets the mouth watering. I get the feeling this card will not be shown in the UK and if so I won't be losing any sleep. I honestly didn't expect to see Jones back at light-heavy after his highly successful venture into the bigger league. I'm disappointed but then it's his career and he's done plenty already.

It's the 2 weekends either side which are important. We've already got Mayweather v N'Dou on SKY along with Gainer v Marquez on the undercard. I haven't heard any news about Barrera v Paquiao but surely we can expect an announcement soon regarding that one, probably from the BBC.

Fingers crossed. It's been a while since Barrera faced raw punching power like that of Paquiao, but then look what happened to Wilfredo Gomez when he stepped up. No doubt comparisons will be drawn over the next few weeks.

Seems a step back for Jones. Imagine Billy Conn winning the heavyweight title against Joe Louis and then going back to the light-heavies! I can only assume Jones really did move up as a one-off, and just toyed with the idea of a defence or two. But it makes me wonder how he's going to 'get up' now for the Tarver fight. He was an hour late for the press conference to announce the fight.

I believe Jones will definitely be 'up' for this fight. Tarver has very publicly insulted Roy and I'm looking forward to a good fight. Antonio is a very good fighter and definitely the best Jones has faced in a long time.

[Kilburn]

I doubt we'll see boxing on Setenta again to be honest. I mean what do you think the turn out was for Bernard Hopkins on PPV? I bet it was very low indeed.

[Kilburn]

I like Tarver's confidence, so it might be interesting for a while..

LOL yeah perhaps. But with the exception of maybe Ricky Frazier and a couple of others EVERY fighter that Jones Jr has faced has shown confidence beforehand. But as soon as that bell rings they find out the reality of the situation and there's naf all they can do about it.

[MightyWarrior]

I like Tarver's confidence, so it might be interesting for a while..

LOL yeah perhaps. But with the exception of maybe Ricky Frazier and a couple of others EVERY fighter that Jones Jr has faced has shown confidence beforehand. But as soon as that bell rings they find out the reality of the situation and there's naf all they can do about it.

Yeah but Tarver's really confident, have you heard him talk? Genuinely thinks he's the greatest amateur in history of the world for instance, always going on about how the world has tried to deny his greatness, but he will prevail etc etc....not surprised Roy is pissed off.

Should be fun watching Jones convert him into a true believer though

[bennie]

I like Tarver's confidence, so it might be interesting for a while..

LOL yeah perhaps. But with the exception of maybe Ricky Frazier and a couple of others EVERY fighter that Jones Jr has faced has shown confidence beforehand. But as soon as that bell rings they find out the reality of the situation and there's naf all they can do about it.

Yeah but Tarver's really confident, have you heard him talk? Genuinely thinks he's the greatest amateur in history of the world for instance, always going on about how the world has tried to deny his greatness, but he will prevail etc etc....not surprised Roy is pissed off.

Should be fun watching Jones convert him into a true believer though

If Tarver thinks he's the greatest amateur in the world, then Vassili Jirov is the second coming of Teofilo Stevenson. Jirov, the southpaw who plodded into James Toney all night recently, licked Tarver in the 1996 Olympics.

[Kilburn]

The fight is on BBC2 the following day.

I only hope this doesn't mean Barrera v Paquiao will somehow be forgotten about.

[tysonisthegreatest]

I CANT WAIT TO SEE JONES BEAT TARVER I LOOK FORWARD TO ANY JONES FIGHT AND HOW ANYONE CAN THINK DIFFERENT IS BEYOND ME HE IS THE BEST BOXER AROUND RIGHT NOW.