14.05.04 – By Phenyo Molefe: It appears that grudge fights have resurfaced yet again; Jones vs. Tarver is more than a mere fight it has become a personal issue. Antonio Tarver will walking into this ring an infuriated man who believes he is fit to be the champion but was cheated out of the title through judges’ ill decision trying. Jones is walking into the ring in an seeking yet again to re-establish himself as the unquestionable light heavyweight champion. The question we all want to know is who of these two fighters is fit to be king.
It goes without saying that Tarver that is a skilful fighter who will give Jones something to fight about.
Even though Jones will not publicly acknowledge Tarver has one of the best fighters; a stance I agree we must all be aware that in recent time Tarver is the only fighter who pushed Roy to work.
There have been very few opponents who have been able to match Jones in ability, he has built a legacy of total domination which he has maintained until his fight against Tarver.
Before we start running to ill thought assumptions let us all stand to clarity ; Jones is one of the most gifted fighters who ever stepped into the ring and he has been without a natural rival for long. What many have assumed is that his greatness has stagnated. Jones had to shed 25 pounds muscle
after winning the WBA heavyweight title from Ruiz, any fight expert knows that loosing that much weight within a short period of time will take its toll on the body. Let there be no excuses made Roy decided to step into that ring but let it be noted that his ability on that night were far below par.
If Tarver is under the impression that he will be fighting the same Jones…then he has got a surprise package lined up him. Last year he was awarded as thee fighter of the nineties ; rarely if ever does one ever get to see this class of technique, power and fire all blended into one fighter. Tarver will bare witness to it all as we all look on in veneration of Jones’ ability.
All the talk, doubts and fears have set Jones in the perfect disposition to prove his superiority and further fortify his legacy.