BoxRec

Just a quick word on the Tarver-Jones III fight from SKY last night, first of all not particularly impressed with Tarver to be honest, i said after the result i thought it said more about Tarver than Jones and i think the fight proved it. Tarver just isn't all that good, he was so ponderous and seems to run out of steam 10-12, he did against Johnson and again against Jones, i think a fresh guy with some stamina will cause him problems. He used his jab to great effect and controlled the centre of the ring well but he was able to fight at his own pace throughout.

Jones should just retire he has nothing left to offer although i now have a new respect for him in some ways as he dug deep and gave that type of gutsy showing (especially late on) i wasn't sure he had in him. Well done to him. Larry Merchant's questioning made me laugh, Tarver was getting all agitated "giving roy credit" when Larry saw basically that Jones was washed up and barely threw any punches while Tarver tried to add respectibility to the performance. I have never been a huge Jones fan but despite Tarver's double wins over Jones and the old "he has his number" explanation i strongly believe prime Roy Jones deals with him comfortably.

Oh and did anyone see Tarver's legs buckle after a right uppercut in the fifth? I did, make that prime Jones stops Tarver

And as for the undercard it was my first viewing of Nate Campbell and i was seriously impressed, it makes Peden and Casamayor's wins over him increase a lot in value for my money. Was Campbell that good or Kid Diamond (not going to attempt that name!) that bad? Diamond looked limited and out of his depth, a great win for Campbell who showed speed and power.

I've never been overly impressed with Tarver. Yes, he's number 1 at the minute, but is he really that good? No way should he have been tiring at the end, it was hardly a fast paced fight, was it? And, as you say, he can be hurt. Roy at his best would have humbled him.

I think Woods should be doing everything he can to get him to share the ring, he's got a real chance, although he'd start as the underdog.

My thoughts entirely, after watching the fight i thought hang on should Woods be that over awed by this guy? Is it so inconceivable that Woods would win? Tarver was punching a lot in bursts again like the first fight and hitting plenty of gloves, i think it was a case of Jones losing the fight rather than Tarver winning it. Then again Jones simply cannot sustain attacks anymore.

I thought Tarver won the first fight when watching BBC coverage, after later watching HBO coverage i realised i was wrong and Jones was a worthy winner. Tarver's on the ropes bursts in that fight were similar to last nights but he was generally winning the fight because Jones wasn't maintaining any quality attacks. I think Woods has a shot at Tarver who i am starting to suspect is overrated, he has a lot of ability but i don't know how well he copes under quality sustained pressure.

Jones still has his speed, but basically his reflexes are a little worse so he gets hit, and his legs are a bit gone.

I agree, I give Woods a great chance - although when looking at the Gonzales highlights after I think Tarver is a fair bit quicker.

Trouble is when you rely on reflexes and your legs start to go what's left? Look at how often Herol Graham got marked up later in his career for example....

tarver isn't that good. jones was just an overhyped fighter who got exposed when he fought someone who wasn't afraid of him. he still has his speed but has been exposed as a gutless pussy.

The flash of old brilliance Jones Jr put on Tarver in that 5th round tells you all you need to know about what he'd have done to the guy at his peak.

When Jones was at his best he could work as hard as he needed to, throw as many punches as it took. Stamina was NOT an issue. Now he just doesn't have that impossible level of fitness, the extraordinary physical intensity that protected him for years has left him and he cannot get it back. His chin hasn't "gone", nor has his speed or reflexes, it's his engine that can't hack the pace he used to set for himself. Now he's mortal. Now he can't throw endless clusters because he gets tired just like everyone else. What is left is beatable, vulnerable.

It's a shame but I thought Jones performed very well in what is hopefully his final fight. It was his best effort since Ruiz by far. And what a heart to get through that 11th. The guy is pure class unlike that twerp Merchant, who needs to fornicate off NOW, he hasn't got a clue. I was so pleased Tarver put him straight on what was going on in that ring as Larry was miles off.

Tarver may even be on the slide to but Jones Jr is on the way to being a shot fighter and for the sake of his own health should retire in my opinion anyway. It was plain to see that Jones cannot do what he used to do in the ring, Jones Jr knows this and that is why he used the tactics he did against Tarver. Even Jones' body didn't look ther same as it did a few years ago. I can't believe some people are still saying Jones can comeback again. The show is over.

Woods would stand a good chance of beating both the slipping Tarver and near shot Jones Jr at this point in time.

I didn't think Tarver looked on the slide, he was just trying to keep maximum composure IMO. Roy was clowning a lot in there.

I wouldn't pick Woods to beat Tarver.