Roy Jones Jr., Tampa's Antonio Tarver wants big fights to show the boxing world what it overlooked.
By JOHN C. COTEY
Published May 17, 2004
LAS VEGAS - In the blink of an eye Saturday night, light heavyweight Antonio Tarver became what he had always dreamed of - a respected world champion who the sport of boxing will always remember.
One punch, a flashing left hand that could not have landed any more flush, destroyed, arguably, the greatest fighter of this generation, clouding one legacy while ushering in a new one.
Tarver, an Orlando native and Tampa resident, told the world after his victory over Roy Jones Jr. that the new generation was here. Forget for a moment that Tarver is two months older than Jones. He looked 10 years younger than Jones in the main event at the Mandalay Bay Hotel-Casino.
"It's my time now," said Tarver, 22-2 with 18 knockouts. "In 1996, I was the best in the world amateur-wise. Why none of you ever gave me a chance to win, it's beyond me. I want to come back. I'm a superstar now in the game of boxing. I want to make the big fights and show you people what you've been missing out on.
"The sky's the limit with me right now. I'm the new face of boxing."
For Tarver, who filed for bankruptcy a week before the fight, it is a long overdue moment in the sunshine. Until Saturday night, he had not come close to attaining the greatness of Jones since they were near equals when they fought as 13-year-old amateurs. While Jones was making millions as a world champion, Tarver struggled with a drug problem, was a bust as an Olympic gold medal hopeful in 1996 and entered the pro ranks quietly.
And when he finally got Jones in the ring in November after three years of chasing him, he lost a majority decision he said was unjust.
The knockout in the rematch, giving him the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association titles, undid all his pain.
"It's great, man, to see Antonio win this," said his trainer, Buddy McGirt. "Not only to win, but to beat a great fighter like Roy Jones and beat him the way he did. He worked really hard for this, and he gave it his all. A lot of people doubted him. I read the papers, and no one was picking him. I told (the writers) you're sadly mistaken."
Tarver made $2-million for the victory (Jones made $6-million) and now commands the light heavyweight division. But his future might lie outside the division unless he chooses to unify it against IBF champion Glencoffe Johnson.
He spoiled a potential Jones-Felix Trinidad blockbuster that was being hyped by promoter Don King just hours before Tarver's win. That fight could fall in his lap now.
Other possibilities include super middleweight champ Joe Calzaghe or a move into the heavyweight division.
"We're going to ride this train as long as it goes," Tarver said. "Now it is time to get my just due. It doesn't matter (who I fight next). When I'm in shape and condition, I'll fight anybody."
Jones (49-2), who skipped the postfight news conference, has a cloudy future. Losing the WBA and WBC belts pales in comparison to losing the mythical title as the world's No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter. His air of invincibility has been punctured, and Tarver made him look old in both fights.
Those who have criticized Jones for handpicking easy fights against inferior opponents will scream even louder now.
Jones said in the ring after his loss he didn't want to fight Tarver again and would move up to take on heavyweights. But if he can't take Tarver's punch, how will he survive Vitali Klitschko's? And Mike Tyson told the New York Daily News on Saturday night he questions if anyone would want to see him fight Jones in light of the knockout.
At 35 years old, Jones might even consider stepping away.
At 35 years young, Tarver is ready to step in.
"When your time is up, your time is up," McGirt said. "Nothing against Roy. He's a great guy.
"But he had his run, and now it's Antonio's turn."
