[bigben]

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Antonio Tarver vowed to be in better shape this time, and he was Saturday as he took the IBO light heavyweight title from Glen Johnson.

The victory came on a unanimous decision for Tarver, avenging his loss to Johnson six months ago on a split vote.

"We wanted to be quick and we wanted to be fast and let our hands go. It's an example of how hard we worked in camp," Tarver said. "We made weight two weeks ago."

Tarver had winning scores of 116-112 on two cards and 115-113 on the third.

He came out punching in flurries and continued them through the 12 rounds. He threw 851 punches, landing 218, while Johnson fired 564 times and hit 149.

By the 10th round, the rapid punching drew cheers of "Tarver! Tarver!"

"When I'm in rhythm, I can let my hands go pretty good and we hit him with some devastating uppercuts. And the hook worked tonight," he said.


Antonio Tarver let's everybody know he's the new champion. (AP)
Tarver, 23-3 with 18 knockouts, also sought to take advantage of his longer reach, while Johnson, 42-10-2 with 28 knockouts, steadily tried to press inside.

Johnson landed several hard body shots but said Tarver managed to avoid the majority of potentially damaging punches.

"Most of the shots were hitting him in the chest and you know those shots are just not as effective as hitting solid in the body or in the head," Johnson said. "Every time I would go to the head, he would slide under me."

Johnson said he was ready for a rematch but that would be up to Tarver.

"If Tarver wants to fight again, I'll come back fighting," Johnson said. "And if he wants to do something else, so be it."

Johnson of Miami and Tarver of Tampa, the only two fighters to knock out former three-time world champion Roy Jones, fought in Las Vegas in December, with Johnson taking the victory.

[Tommy]

And New IBO light heavyweight champion of the world.....Antonio Tarver

Anyone put some change on Tarver?

[naught33]

nope, no $$ on the fight, Tarver was a huge favorite, didn't like the line. I'll be curious to see the line movement on the gatti/mayweather fight....I think gatti is getting very little respect here, remember he has a lot of power and has become more disciplined since mcgirt (tarver's trainer as well) has been in his corner..i think this can be a very interesting fight

[average]

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[Tommy]

What does this have to do with Boxing?