Recap: Tarver vs. Johnson II

In a tremendous battle between light heavyweights, Antonio Tarver (23-3, 18 KOs) avenged his December loss to Glen Johnson (40-10-2, 28 KOs) with a unanimous 12 round decision on Saturday night in Memphis, Tennessee. This now sets Tarver atop the list for the best fighter at 175 pounds.

Both Tarver and Johnson are the most competitive elite light heavyweights in quite some time, bringing excitement back into their division. And the kicker is, they did it without a major title on the line!

For years, Roy Jones allowed the alphabet soup boxing organizations to dictate the match-ups … and the interest in light heavyweight division dried up. This created match-ups where Roy Jones would defend his title against mediocre competition. Now, with Tarver and Johnson, we’ve got two fighters willing to fight the best … and the division is electric with excitement once again!

This fight was not only good for the light heavyweight division … it was good for boxing. In a show of good sportsmanship both men fought a clean fight and respected each other with their words after the fight. These men are a class act.

With the score now: Tarver 1 and Johnson 1. This rivalry begs for a trilogy.

--The Mighty-Moe

Antonio Tarver vs. Glen Johnson II

When these two fighters meet tonight in Memphis, Tennessee, it will be a rematch of their December 2004 split decision battle ... a battle in which Glen Johnson (42-9-2, 28 KOs) narrowly defeated Antonio Tarver (22-3, 18 KOs). No world championship belt is at stake since both fighters had to relinquish their title belts in order to duke it out last December for the bragging rights of being called the "top dog" in the division.

The odds? They’re 8-5 favorite for the Magic-Man Antonio Tarver. Why? Because most everyone watching the fight thought Tarver won the fight … including the Mighty-Moe. Perhaps it was Johnson’s gutsy effort in coming forward the entire fight that swayed the judges, or Johnson’s hard-luck underdog status that created the impression he was taking the fight away from Tarver … either way it was the wrong call, but not a bad one. Johnson won the judges nod and the hearts of many fans with his gritty determination. However, I think Tarver technically won that fight … and I think he’ll do it again.

Here are the punch stats: In their first fight Tarver threw 853 punches and landed 296. Johnson, on the other hand, threw 796 punches and landed 217. Tarver was busier, landed more punches, and landed the harder shots, landing 220 power punches to Johnson’s 140. Hand’s down, it should have been a victory for Tarver.

Tarver is the bigger of the two men, with Johnson having fought most of his fights as a middleweight. Tarver also has the height and reach advantage … and fights like a tall fighter. Surprisingly, Antonio Tarver is also quicker than Glen Johnson. If Tarver times his punches right, he can catch Johnson reaching in and tag him. Tarver should tie Johnson up when they are in close and avoid laying on the ropes.

As in their first fight, Johnson is going to have to walk through a firestorm to get inside Tarver’s long arms. Johnson is not going to be able to out-box the more versatile Tarver or out-jab him, so he’s going to have to get inside and stay inside … without letting Tarver tie him up. If there is one category where Johnson has Tarver beat, it is in the guts department. If Johnson can lure Tarver into a battle of guts, he can keep Tarver pinned on the ropes and beat him down with his determination.

I look for this fight to go the distance once again, this time with Tarver securing a unanimous decision. I expect a late rally by Johnson. However, this might create target opportunities for Tarver to get a TKO over Johnson.

--The Mighty Moe

The Ballad of Iron Mike

The once mighty "Iron" Mike Tyson has finally been tossed into his personal scrap pile of broken dreams and unfulfilled destinies. The roar of the crowd that once jumped to their feet, now reduced to a murmur of whispers as his battered shadow exits the sport once again. This time may be the last.

Last night, a 38-year-old Mike Tyson would fail to come out for the seventh round in a bout against journeyman Kevin McBride (now 33-4-1 with 28 KO's). In front of 15,472 stunned fans in Washington, DC, Mike Tyson would quit on his stool after a foul ridden effort in which two points were ultimately deducted for an intentional head butt.

For 15 years, Mike Tyson would wander in exile from the undisputed heavyweight championship he allowed to slip from his fingers, never to be his again. Once the most feared man in boxing; the greatest threat in the heavyweight division became even a greater threat to himself. The rage that consumed his opponents, finally consumed him. It was once said, the only man that can beat Tyson is Tyson. Make no mistake about it; Tyson scored a sensational KO of himself.

Perhaps one of the most gifted heavyweight fighters to ever lace up a pair of gloves since Joe Louis, a student and historian of the sport, and last protégé of the late Cus D’Amato, Mike Tyson has successfully squandered it all. After pummeling himself into humility, Mike Tyson (50-6, 2NC, 44 KOs) bids his adieu.

“I don’t have the guts to stay in this sport anymore. I do not want to disrespect the sport I love.” –Mike Gerard Tyson

--The Mighty Moe

Hatton Wins, Tszyu Quits in 11th Round

Ricky Hatton (39-0, 29 KOs) wins the IBF junior welterweight championship with an 11th round TKO upset victory over the 4/1 odds favorite Kostya Tszyu (31-2, 25 KOs).

Ricky Hatton has silenced all doubt with this sensational stoppage of one of the sports pound-per-pound best fighters … and to the delight of his fans he did it in Manchester England in front of a sold out arena of 22,000.

From the opening bell, Hatton was able to manhandle and smother Tszyu by slipping his jab and getting inside Tszyu’s defense. With intensity reminiscent of Roberto Duran’s victory over Sugar Ray Leonard 25 years ago, Hatton was able to take control of the fight with relentless pressure, keeping the champion Tszyu pinned on the ropes.

Hatton’s speed in slipping Tszyu punches and the smothering strategy prevented Tszyu from getting a full extension on his punches. This was the perfect fight strategy for the 26 year old, younger, more energetic Hatton. When Tszyu did manage to land punches of his own, they were mostly glancing blows. Also, the few punches that did find their target didn’t land with authority because Tszyu was moving backwards as he was punching, nullifying his own power.

The pace and intensity of the fight was too much for the 35 year old champion and Hatton was able to wear Tszyu down with his wrestling and brawling. There was a lot of roughhouse tactics by both fighters: holding and hitting, punching behind the head, elbows, and knockdowns from low-blows for both fighters.

In the end, Kostya Tszyu wouldn’t come out for the final round. This was surprising since Hatton never buckled Tszyu’s knees, or appeared to have hurt him at any particular moment. It was just an accumulation of punches, being behind in the fight, and fatigue that convinced Tszyu to admit he had had enough.

Tszyu said he wasn’t sure if he would retire after this bout, and wouldn’t say if he would be interested in a rematch. Hatton, on the other hand, said he would grant Tszyu a rematch.

Make no mistake about it … Ricky Hatton took the title away from Kostya Tszyu. There is a new lion at 140 pounds.

--The Mighty Moe

Kostya Tszyu vs. Ricky (Hitman) Hatton

The IBF welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu (31-1, 25 KOs) vs. Ricky Hatton (38-0, 28 KOs) is a sensational match up. It would be worth the PPV, but it's not a PPV event! This fight will be featured on Showtime.

Hatton has shown devastating punching power and has a swarming style reminiscent of a younger version of the champion Tszyu. But, despite Ricky Hatton being the younger of the two, and having the home court advantage in front of 18,000 fans in the Men Arena, I'm going to have to pick the champion Tszyu to beat the young lion in Manchester England on Saturday June 4th, 9 pm ET/PT.

If Hatton wants to win, he's going to have to control his aggression. If he comes in too reckless, Tszyu will catch him coming in and hurt him. If Hatton waits too long to punch, he'll give Tszyu the necessary time to pick him apart.

It isn't likely that Hatton will out-box Tszyu. I believe Hatton is going to have to man-handle and swarm Tszyu, without being reckless. It's not impossible, but I think it might be too much to ask from the young brawler.

Tszyu on the other hand, will have to be careful in disarming the Hatton. He cannot let Ricky Hatton, or the Manchester crowd, into this fight. For starters, Kostya Tszyu does not want to get caught against the ropes where Hatton can unleash his bombs.

Ricky Hatton was dropped by Eamon Magee when he was caught behind the ear with a stiff left hook as Hatton charged in, look for Tszyu to do the same. Also, look for Tszyu to fire the straight right hand over the top. Both fighters are very good at getting angles on their opponents in order to land their trademark body punches. To do this, they will have to out-maneuver their opponent with footwork. This should be the most intriguing aspect of this match-up.

--The Mighty Moe