[bigben]

Johnson rated underdog for Tarver rematch

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (CMC) - Wallstreet Sport Betting is listing Jamaica's 2004 World Fighter of the Year Glen Johnson as an underdog for his light heavyweight rematch with American Antonio Tarver this weekend at the FedEx Forum.

Wallstreet Sports Betting declared Tarver an 8-5 favourite to win the clash Saturday night for Johnson's International Boxing Organisation (IBO) 175-pound title.

Both boxers - after failing to get their first contest sanctioned - had given up their major belts for more money and HBO exposure to make their fight happen last December when Johnson edged Tarver on points.

Johnson has a ring record of 42 wins (28 knockouts) against nine losses and two draws, while Tarver is 22-3 (18 knockouts). Both fighters are 36 years old.

Against Tarver in December, Johnson got a split-decision victory when judges Chuck Giampa and Melvina Lathan scored the bout 115-113 in his favour, to outweigh the verdict of Pat Russell, who saw the bout 116-112 for Tarver.

Tarver earned US$2.5 million for the fight and Johnson collected US$1 million, the biggest payday of his career, and it is unclear what the purse split is for Saturday's bout.

[Tommy]

Tarver is the bigger name regardless so he has to be the Fav in the Publics eyes. I think Johnson takes him out

[naught33]

I"m not sure what to make of this fight. Tarver was way overconfident in the last fight after his what was thought to be impressive KO over Roy Jones, but since then we saw that Roy's body simply wasn't right, and hasn't been since he moved up to heavyweight. Johnson isn't spectacular, but he get inside and just punches and doesn't stop. Tarver had the better shots in the first fight, but Johnson was just non stop action, and that was why he won the close fight. I want to say Tarver will win this fight, he has everything in his advantage, from being the better boxer, to having the better trainer, to being the bigger puncher, BUT Johnson has the bigger heart, not to mention is Tarver's hand fully healed, he had hurt it in their last fight. If this goes the distance Johnson will win, if it's by KO i think Tarver stops him....any thoughts?

[bigben]

yes IMO tarver the winner i didnt see the first fite btw them

[naught33]

thanks for the opinion ben, have you heard anything about tarver's hand? is he 100%??

[Tommy]

Tarver wins. I caught the last round. Anyone watch it?

[bigben]

Tom where were you all the other rounds
tarver tarver oHHHHHHHHHH yes

[naught33]

I watched the first half of the fight....didn't see the rest, the part I saw Tarver dominated...by the scores im guessing Johnson made a late rally on the cards...they are already talking about a 3rd fight, geez