Holy SHI****

[hamed]

It's true fighters get old but it's shocking the way he lost, I mean 2nd round KO! It's not like Tarver was the young guy coming up (both are 35 I think) & it's not like Jones came back after a retirement like Ali or Leonard did. A loss like this would have been easier to explain if he had just dropped the weight coming back down after beating Ruiz. This is all the more shocking because he had gone 12 with Tarver, knew what to expect & had 6 months to prepare.

[Bam Bam]

After readingf some post fight atricles detailing this fight, I get the feeling that if I saw the fight I would have thought Tarver landed a lucky punch. I'd bet we see a rematch from this.....Tarver BETTER give him one,,,,he could probably argue that Roy doesn''t deserve it, but I just feel that Roy has alot left in him.imo

[hamed]

I'm sure Tarver would love to fight him again, if for no other reason than the money. He thinks he beat Roy twice already anyway.

Just last night I saw Max Kellerman interview Roy on Fox & Roy was talking about fighting Vitali or Tyson next. Had Tyson KO'd Roy in 2 it would have been surprising but not as shocking as Tarver doing it.

[Bam Bam]

Tarver-Jones III, would be a better PPV buy I think, at least I know I wouldn't miss it, that's for sure

[Bam Bam]

I mean better than Jones-Tarver II, both fighters would get a fat purse, Jones's promoters could promote the roy like they never have before, the whole revenge thing, only man to ever beat Jones,,,,lets do it again!!!!!lol

[thebadguy]

Bam Bam,

It WAS a lucky left hook that Tarver landed. I dont mean to take anything away from Tarver, May 15th 2004 was his night, no doubt. But it was one of those freak occurences that we see from time to time in this beloved sport of ours... not usually of this magnitude however.

I would think by oddsmaker standards, this has to be the biggest upset since maybe... Holyfield-Tyson I? What were the odds anyway?

I am going to predict the future a little bit here... I think this loss to Tarver will not only produce a rematch, but it will also produce the hungriest, most dangerous Roy Jones we have EVER seen... and that isn't a good thing for Tarver. My prediction for the rematch: Jones KO1 over Tarver.

I see some of you have balked at my opinion of Pernell Whitaker being the #1 pound for pound fighter of all time. You can name them all... Robinson, Leonard, Duran, McCallum, Ali... but it wont change my mind. Whitaker in his prime was something of a "wizard". His speed cannot be matched by anyone (perhaps arguable). His defense was almost inhuman (not arguable). In "Sweet Pea's" prime you simply could NOT hit him. How many fights did he go without even losing a round!!?? Among MANY other things, he was the first to beat JC Chavez (forget the draw) and he beat a young rising star by the name of Oscar De La Hoya. MOST people thought he won that fight against the "Golden Boy", except for the three most "important" people at ringside... and this was well after Pernell's prime.

For several years, there was an ongoing arguement about who was the best P4P fighter... Jones or Whitaker? I always considered Pernell ahead of Roy, as well as the best P4P fighter of all-time (and I am not alone). Pernell is the only fighter in history who - in his prime - was LITERALLY... untouchable. Pernell in his prime did not have ONE weakness... not one! No other fighter in history can say that. Unfortunately, he later fell into the world of cocaine (which I personally know is a living hell). If he hadn't, we may have seen even better things from Whitaker (if possible).

[earl6123]

Now this upset begs to ask the next question..what will Roy Jones Jr title bout card look like now. Will this diminish his rating?

When will be have an update for both Jones and Tarver?

I still dont think this will tarnish Jones place in history providing that he doesnt hold on to the ring like Ali, Holyfield, Louis, etc did in their prime/post prime careers...

[bayonne brawler]

Roy Jones Rap song lyrics:
".... Mr. Unstoppable, Mr. Unbeatable, Mr. Unknockoutable......"

Mr. got knocked out with one punch!!!

In any event, hopefully we'll NEVER hear this God awful Roy Jones rap song again.

Even when Roy went down and you knew it was over, I still couldn't believe it!!! Sorry guys, as you may have guessed I'm not a big Jones fans. That said, in all honesty I thought we would see an outcome similar to Jones-Griffin II. Thankfully, I was wrong.

[hamed]

Jones might win a rematch with Tarver but I doubt he'd knock him out in 1 round. Boxing is obviously a physical sport but the mental part is huge too. Roy would be very wary of Tarver's power early & try to out box him & take him out (if he could) late - or maybe not @ all. Roy saw what happened to Gerald McClellan & thought why risk ending up like that if you can still win fights & make millions too?

[Bronx Bomber 15]

I can't believe it either, guys. I wouldn't be as shocked had it been a decision loss, but as you all already said...a KO?!

I wonder (1) If Roy will REALLY continue to box after this and (2) If so, how will this change his fighting style now knowing that he is susceptible to the KO.

I'd like to see a third bout, although I think we'd see Roy on his bicycle the entire time.

Still hard to grasp.

[Night2000]

Well I see many here are upset that their boy Roy lost.
Too bad I never liked the guy cause he talked so much shyt.
He made the rookie mistake of over-estimating himself and under-estimating Tarver. As usual before even winning the fight he was already talking about beating up on Tyson, or Klitschko. He got what he deserved. Whether he saw the punch coming, or didn't see it coming. The point is it came, it landed, and it knocked his A$$ down. It's sad to see how so many idolize the guy, and even when he gets knocked out they can't accept it. Tarver pretty much gave Jones a beating the last time they fought. Only thing was Jones won on points because of his sudden flurries, in the last few rounds. His face looked pretty beat up in that fight. Jones needed a reality check, and finally got one. Of course he will probably say he didn't see the left coming. Or didn't expect it from a one punch Tarver, who was only considered to have a decent right hand. No doubt he will have some excuse. To whoever feels sorry for the guy. remember this. The guy has more money than most of us will ever see. He will be remembered well after he is gone, we won't. So I wouldn't feel too bad for poor Jones. LOL... Kudos to Tarver, who said Jones wasn't Superman, and proved it!

[Bam Bam]

I agree with you Badguy, about the reamatch and him being hungry. Something like this could very well bring Jones back to earth and make him a hero again, not because of his skills, but because of his heart, and he finally has a rivalry with someone....all great fighters need a rivalry......
Now Sweet best p for p of all time...hmmmmm...his lack of knockout power,or just power in general, makes me not want to name him the best pound for pounder....

This fight should not change his TBCM rating,,,maybe you can tweak his chin a lil though lol

[Bam Bam]

Night2000, I saw clips of the fight, Tarver was still fighting timid, Jones looked super fast, left hand ended it...thats boxing,,,,Ill still take Jones in the rematch....Tarver should count his lucky stars.....the way Rahman did when he pasted Lewis......

Do I feel sorry for him? lol..Imagine waking up after 10 years and see that all of a sudden ALL your belts are gone....tough one to stomach Im sure for Jones today

[thebadguy]

Someone mentioned that this fight wont tarnish Jones' place in history as long as he doesn't "hold on to the ring" longer than he should... like Ali, Holyfield and Louis did. You are absolutely right about the first part, but wrong about the second part. It wont matter how long Jones sticks around, history will judge him by his accomplishments and by how good he was at the peak of his career. He will still be considered one of the all time greats even if he loses his next 10 fights.

Those three guys you mentioned (Ali, Holyfield and Louis) are considered the top 3 HW's of all time by "Ring Magazine", in this order: 1. Ali, 2. Louis, 3. Holyfield. Order the back issue if you dont believe me. If I remember right, the issue was called "The 50 Greatest Heavyweights Ever", I believe it came out a couple years ago. Even after Holyfield's "loss" to Lewis, his 3rd place status remained in tact. Even after Ali lost to Trevor friggin' Berbick, his #1 place stayed in tact. Even after Louis got beaten badly by Marciano, his 2nd place status remained in tact.

My point is: Even though all three of those fighters did pretty poorly at the end of their careers and maybe stuck around too long... it still did NOT diminish their place in history. Its almost as if the end of their careers dont even count... as they probably shouldn't. The same applies to Jones... no matter what happens from here on out, he will be on most peoples top 10 all-time P4P list.

He will certainly be on mine... behind Whitaker and Robinson.

[PittPanther]

The ability to pile on Roy now on some of these message boards is frankly surprising to me.

It isn't as if most of the people rooting for Tarver are actually fans of Tarver. Rather, it seems they have such a dislike for Roy that they will root against him instead of for his opponent. Is there any way that Tarver will become a "household" name? I really doubt it considering he too is 35 and there are slim pickings at 175.

Before we put a fork in Roy, let us realize that there will be a rematch. Money and Roy's ego will dictate that. Tarver would be a fool not to take it---who else are we going to pay to see him fight? Calzaghe? Not a chance.

I'm going to agree with badguy on a few points here:

1. The loss does not tarnish Roy's reputation---nor will a second one to Tarver in a rematch. History and historians will be kind to Roy, unlike most of his detractors.

2. He will be on most historians top 10 all time pound-for-pound lists.

3. And finally, he will be hungrier than ever once the smoke clears.


This, in my opinion, is a blessing in disguise for boxing as it will herald in a return to 3 fight series between two guys that really are matched well. Add in the fact that they don't like each other too much and you have the makings of a classic. Consider those 3 fight classics between Ali and Frazier as well as Zale and Graziano.

I think that collectively, whether you hate Roy or love him, the boxing world is in for a treat.

[Night2000]

Originally posted by Bam Bam
Night2000, I saw clips of the fight, Tarver was still fighting timid, Jones looked super fast, left hand ended it...thats boxing,,,,Ill still take Jones in the rematch....Tarver should count his lucky stars.....the way Rahman did when he pasted Lewis......

Do I feel sorry for him? lol..Imagine waking up after 10 years and see that all of a sudden ALL your belts are gone....tough one to stomach Im sure for Jones today

Hiya Bam Bam, I haven't seen any clips of the fight yet. However when I do. I expect to see Jones winning the first round with his speed, and great boxing skills. Then in the second round I expect to see Jones confidently coming out of his corner expecting to do the same thing. When BOOOM suddenly a left comes out of nowhere, and Jones goes down. Then I will see the Ref starting the count, and Jones trying to get back to his feet. All wobbily and stuff. I suppose that is pretty much of what I'll see when they show it on TV. I also heard that Jones said he didn't want a re-match with Tarver. I'm sure in time Jones ego will get the better of him and he will want a re-match... Should be interesting to see where Jones goes next with this.

[Bam Bam]

I really do think its great for boxing too.....you can't make an omelette without breakin a few eggs!

[darthpb]

First of all, it was not a lucky punch; it's called a COUNTERpunch. Jones is the best BOXER I've ever seen(I'm 39), but he never got hit. That's both a compliment to his skills and a weakness. By that I mean he's never been in a real battle until the first Tarver fight and he sure as hell did not look like the Roy Jones who "toyed" with most of his opponents. Secondly, before the fight Jones was primed and motivated didn't anyone hear his smack...after the fight he tried to spin...uh,uh, can't have both ways Roy...Lastly, any comments on Tarver's comments right before the bell rang when the ref asked if there were any questions and he said something like ,"Roy, any excuses tonight?" That was incredible....

Let's not forget that Tarver is no ordinary fighter. He's always been good and has been getting better. Before losing, controversially, to Jones last November, he had beaten Montell Griffen, Eric Harding and Reggie Johnson, 3 really good fighters.

I didn't see the 2 round KO but, given Roy's problems with Tarver in the first fight, it just may be that Tarver has got Roy's number, like Forrest does with Mosley, Mosley with De Lahoya and Mayorga with Forrest.

[Jim Trunzo]

I can't resist tossing my 2 cents into the ring. I have never been a huge Roy Jones fan. I grant him his tremendous physical gifts and I easily admit that he is, and has been, head and shoulders above most of the fighters in his era. That there has been a lack of competition during most of his career isn't his fault . . .

but . . .

Roy Jones doesn't like being a fighter and he is deathly afraid of being hurt. He has not been the same fighter since he witnessed what happened to Gerald McClellan. I have read everything there is to read on and about Jones. I have spoken to him on several occassions as well as to others who know him. I am not saying in any way, shape or form that Jones is a coward - no man that crawls into the ring is a coward - but he has a deep, abiding fear of permanent damage. And while that is extremely logical and very intelligent, it takes that special something away from a fighter.

I am not happy that Roy Jones lost, nor am I disappointed in him. What I am disapponted in (though not surprised) is that Jones immediately dismissed a third fight. That is not the trait of a champion. That is not the hunger for greatness that made a LaMotta fight Robinson so many times, that brought Ali and Frazier together three times, that made Mickey Ward and Arturo Gatti who they are.

The truth is that Roy Jones only takes fights that he is damn confident he can easily win. Of course, all successful fighters believe they can win, but I mean Jones take fights that he can see little or no way he can lose and win taking minimal damage - thanks to his great, great physical skills.

He refused to fight Michaelzewski - why? He didn't want hosed in Germany, especially after what had happened to him in the Olympics. But come on! That was the best fight out there for him for years and years - and Michaelzewski was MADE for Jones. But he was a risk. And before you site Jones' rematch with Tarver (a rematch that most insiders were shocked that Jones agreed to), keep in mind that Jones' ego surely convinced him that the if he beat Tarver in a fight in which Jones was clearly not 100%, what would he do to him in a bout in which he was not only motivated but physically ready for?

Tarver is a good fighter, not a great fighter. I would choose Jones, hands down in a rematch, even though Tarver may simply have his number. I don't think Jones has lost much from his prime; I think he got caught with the kind of punch that would have put anyone down - although I think many fighters would have taken it better and recovered.

Jones, like my favorite Muhammad Ali, is not a great boxer in the traditional sense. Neither is a great defensive fighter, for example, relying on tremendous speed and instinct to escape punches rather than pure technique. However, Jones, unlike Ali, doesn't have the same stuff inside nor does he have the chin.

I remember not long ago when many of you clamored that Jones belonged in the top three all-time heavyweights; I disagreed then and will again. A fighter who has a good chin, good hand speed, adequate power and the will to pressure Jones all fight long can beat him. Jones would never have beaten Ezzard Charles. I believe Jones is still Top Ten material but not Top Five.

I also disagree that history will be kind to Jones. I think that his reputation will take a minor hit (barring something unforeseen - like huge wins over tough opposition) in much the same way that Marciano's has (too small, fought old men). It won't be enough to hurt him much but he'll never be lionized like a Joe Louis or Muhammad Ali. Nor should he be!