By Joseph Herron: Tomorrow night, or actually in the wee hours of the morning in the United States, 42 year old ring veteran Antonio Tarver challenges the “Green Machine” Danny Green for his IBO Cruiserweight title.
Veteran trainer James Gogue lends us his expertise once again and analyzes this great match-up for the fight fans who appreciate the technical side of the sweet science.
“This fight is a very intriguing match-up which does have some significance in the cruiserweight division,” states James Gogue. “Although due to the age of both fighters, this fight doesn’t have a lot of global appeal, but it is a huge event in Australia because of how popular Danny Green is down under.”
“Danny Green is such a fan friendly fighter because of his heavy hands and his willingness to engage his opponents. Combine his heavy handed fight style with Antonio Tarver, a former world champion with an iron chin who has never been stopped, and you have a great fight.”
“Antonio Tarver is a fighter who really needs no introduction,” states the experienced trainer. “Most people don’t realize this about Tarver, but he was one of the most decorated amateurs in the history of USA boxing. He was the first American amateur to win the Pan American Games, the USA Championship, and the World Championship in the same year.”
“Tommy Hearns, Sugar Ray Leonard, George Foreman, Cassius Clay…no one had ever won all three in the same year before,” claims James Gogue. “That’s why Tarver was the heavy favorite to win the gold medal at the Atlanta Olympic games in 1996, but lost to eventual gold medalist Vassiliy Jirov in the semifinals of the Light Heavyweight division.”
“Despite the age of both men, this is a great fight,” states the boxing trainer of 28 years. “Tarver will be swimming in dangerous waters in Australia because the cards are stacked against him in this fight. Green’s promoter isn’t bringing Tarver all the way to Australia to beat his fighter.”
“Antonio Tarver will need a knock-out in order to win this fight.”
Although the veteran trainer believes that Tarver’s back will be against the wall in this fight, he still recognizes the possibility of anything happening in boxing and will define Tarver’s strengths and weaknesses.
“Tarver is a boxer/counterpuncher who can press the issue at times,” explains Gogue. “Tarver has almost a European style of fighting. He likes to stand straight up and use his reach and height to his advantage. His best weapons are his straight left hand and right hook.”
“He uses his jab well, but it’s not a punisher. Tarver uses it more as a range finder or to keep his opponents at bay. Antonio also uses his long rangy jab to set up his powerful left hand, with which he can knock any opponent out.”
“Tarver actually has a wide arsenal of punches that he can use throughout the entire fight,” proclaims the veteran trainer. “He also throws a counter right hook from time to time, which can be very effective against a fighter like Danny Green. He throws very good right hooks to the body and a great right uppercut as well.”
“Tarver has a much more versatile offense than most of his opponents realize.”
“For defense, Tarver likes to lean and shift in order to make his opponents miss. He likes to get them out of position for a sharp straight left or right hook counter.”
“Antonio’s chin is also an integral part of his defense,” proclaims James Gogue. “If he is able to take his opponent’s best punches with little or no effect, it leaves a negative impression on his opponent mentally.”
Although Tarver is a very experienced fighter, Danny Green will bring a lot into this fight according to James Gogue.
“Danny Green is a tough fight for anyone because of his physical durability and his strong mental resolve,” states the expert trainer. “Green is a very hard, tough man. You can tell this by the way he conditions himself in preparation for his fights.”
“The Green Machine is any trainer’s dream. He is the type of boxer who is self motivating and is very disciplined; this is his foundation and his strength. It’s what makes him a champion. He absolutely takes no shortcuts in training.”
Gogue also feels that one of Green’s underrated strengths is his patience.
“Green isn’t a wild slugger,” notices the experienced trainer. “He is actually a very patient and technical stalker.”
“He works his jab to find his distance and waits for the most opportune moment to fire his most powerful shots. When Green is able to strike, he can either take you out or simply take you out of your game.”
“Danny Green has a very fundamental defensive stance,” states James Gogue. “He keeps his hands high and close to his head. He uses very little footwork in his defense, but includes some head and upper body movement to avoid punches.”
After sizing up both fighters, James outlines the keys to victory for both men.
“For Tarver to win this fight, he must be thinking ‘knock-out’ from the opening bell,” claims James Gogue. “If this fight goes the distance, he will more than likely lose a hometown decision. He absolutely must press Green for a knockout victory.”
“This must be his mindset from the very beginning.”
“So Tarver must attempt to land power shots and go to the body to slowly break his opponent down, but Antonio also has to be conscious of Green’s power while he’s attacking. He absolutely cannot get careless or sloppy in his attack.”
“Since Danny Green is fighting in his home town, his keys to victory are quite simple. Green simply has to keep the fight close and make it to the finish line.”
“With Danny Green, what you see is what you get. He isn’t going to change anything for this fight. He’s going to measure Tarver with the jab and land his big right hand and left hook when he sees an opening.”
After measuring the keys to victory for both men, the expert trainer has deduced a final prediction for tomorrow’s fight.
“Danny Green versus Antonio Tarver is going to be a tactical match-up with several entertaining explosions. Although everyone has a puncher’s chance in every fight, Danny Green is going to win tomorrow’s contest with a hometown unanimous decision.”
“It could very well be controversial, but it will be unanimous in favor of the hometown fighter.”