BoxRec

Johnson v Tarver - Dec 18th LA

Fabrice Tiozzo v Dariusz Michalczewski - Feb 26th Hamburg, Germany.

Calzaghe better get himself ringside for both. He can always take a boat.

in an audio interview on his own website allegedly says that if he cant johnson next then he will try an put joe on the johnson tarver undercard.

I sincerely hope he does fight on the undercard. Stick him with Richard Hall, nice little rumble and generate some interest in a bout with the winner.

Also, Jonhsons people (according to secondsout, i think) are saying that they have two fights they are trying to negociate, Tarver and one other. Maybe its Hoye, maybe its Calzaghe.

But in order for Joe Calzaghe to fight on the undercard he will have to overcome his fear of flying.

I think it would be good for Joe to fight in the USA, hopefully at Light-Heavyweigt in a competative match and not another WBO defence against a C list fighter.

I think this excuse of a fear of flying is a bit of a red herring, he can find an alternative way over to America and if he did it with plenty of time to spare he could do all of his preperations and pre fight training over there. The experience and better sparring and then the publicity of an undercard scrap would surely all amount to a plus for Calzaghe in the long run?

that fear of flying story is old hat. He flies to sardinia about a week after his fight with jonhson falls through. He flew out to new york to promote his fight with brewer. He`s been reported to be looking into buying a holiday home in florida, for the kids.

Its an excuse, no more, no less.

I'm very intrigued in both of these matches, for me Dariuz Michaelsweski still should be the WBO champion (he didn't lose to Gonzales on my card) and whilst he is definately fading, I think Tiozzo is there for the taking at his stage in his career. I honestly don't think either would beat Oboh or Woods at this late stage in their career but I think it will be an interesting scrap.

Never been convinced about Tarver and after the first fight with Woods I've always thought Johnson would beat him. However, Tarver's impressive showing vs Montell Griffin (who by all accounts has a fair bit left given his recent performance vs Hoye) has made me change my opinion of him somewhat. So I am on the fence with that one (but will probably go for Johnson if plumped).

Johnson's cast iron chin and exceptional workrate is going to give Tarver big problems. If Tarver is able to hurt Tarver on the way in then he will win, if not, I favour Johnson.

Remember that Tarver was able to look good against Jones because Jones never threw many shots, Johnson will be trying his best to fight every minute of every round, and if he gets inside Tarver's jab and long shots, he will be far better on the inside war.

The pace that Johnson fight's at is probably his best asset, both fights with Woods were pretty intense, and the pace he set against Jones set the tone for the entire fight.

Johnson is also pretty adept at muffling and catching shots on the paws, arms and shoulders, and is a pretty good counterpuncher on the inside.

Johnson W12

Against a peak Roy Jones I think Tarver would always have posed problems, whereas Johnson would have been taken apart. Not saying this on it's own gives Antonio the edge but I just feel he's the one with the natural talent. He'll certainly be dishing out more pain that Jones or Woods managed that's for sure.

I've got to go with Tarver by clear UD.