LAS VEGAS – While Antonio Tarver has talked and talked and talked, Roy Jones hardly has uttered a word.
Jones skipped the first press conference to announce their rematch for the WBC, IBO light heavyweight championship tomorrow night at Mandalay Bay as well as the first national conference call with boxing writers to promote the fight.
The reclusive Jones was a no-show again last week for a live HBO interview that was to feature him in a segment with Tarver. Apparently, stiffing HBO meant nothing to Jones even though the network has signed him to replace George Foreman on the network’s major boxing broadcasts. HBO Pay-Per-View ($39.95) will carry tomorrow night’s bout.
While Jones has largely dodged the media, Tarver has taken full advantage of the exposure to do what he does best – promote himself. Jones may be regarded as boxing’s best pound-per-pound fighter, but only James Toney can rival Tarver when it comes to the gift of gab. Among Tarver’s best quips:
“I’m one of the most underrated fighters of all-time. [The media] still fails to realize my ability. They’ve never give me my just due.”
“Between [rounds] 6 and 8, I’ll decide Roy Jones’ fate. I’m determined to get Roy Jones out of there. He’s in a world of trouble.”
In the battle of words, Tarver wins a unanimous decision, but when the two fought on Nov. 8, Jones gutted out a majority decision in the toughest fight of his career, reclaiming the light heavyweight titles he vacated to pursue a run as a heavyweight. Tarver insists he should have won the fight after leaving Jones with a swollen eye and plenty of other bruises.
“I thought I fought the perfect fight,” Tarver said. “I outfought the guy, I outboxed him, and I out-thought him in the ring. It was a chess match at times, but I checkmated him throughout the fight.”
Tarver, the dominant fighter in the middle rounds, simply wasn’t aggressive enough in the final two rounds, allowing Jones to earn the decision. Jones had lost 11 pounds in 48 hours to make the 175-pound weight limit. He looked drained early in the fight and spent much of the 12 rounds along the ropes. It was later revealed he had an infected tooth the week of the fight that caused him to lose sleep.
Word is Jones is in top condition this time.
“There won’t be any excuses,” Tarver said. “I am going to regain my championship. I’m going to control my own destiny and I’m going to make it happen for me, my family and everyone that believes in me.”
While Jones may have shown disinterest in their first meeting, the closeness of the last fight, as well as Tarver’s mouth, has gotten the champion’s attention for the rematch. That’s what makes this fight intriguing.
