JOHNSON
MEMPHIS, Tennessee, CMC:
AMERICAN ANTONIO Tarver reaffirmed his reputation as a rematch master when he defeated the champion Glen Johnson of Jamaica, on a unanimous decision on Saturday night at the FedEx Forum to capture the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) light heavyweight title.
The judges scored the bout 116-112, 116-112, 115-113 for Tarver, who had lost a split decision result to the Miami-based Caribbean fighter in December last year.
Tarver, now 3-0 in rematches, improves his record to 23 wins (18 knockouts) against three losses, and Johnson slips to 42 wins (28 knockouts) against 10 losses and two draws.
Johnson had cemented his claim as the 2004 World Fighter of the Year by defeating Tarver on December 18, but he was labeled an 8-5 underdog for the return bout since - of the two - it was felt that the taller Tarver was the fighter who could improve more on their previous meeting.
At the start, Tarver, much the taller man at 6ft 2 inches, to Johnson's 5ft 11, took centre ring and soon began establishing his jab early. He threw quick combinations and used ring movement to keep Johnson at bay.
Johnson began landing big punches to the body in round five, but Tarver regained control for a few rounds.
Johnson began to move Tarver back in rounds eight and nine, but at the urging of his trainer Buddy McGirt, Tarver outworked Johnson in the centre of the ring.
"You gotta drop him (knock him down), Glen," Johnson's trainer Orlando Cuéllar told the defending IBO champion before the 10th but by then Johnson, although he continued the chase, looked tired and the fans began chanting Tarver's name.
Both fighters had their moments in round 11, with Johnson charging hard at the bell.
Tarver clinched his way through round 12 not allowing Johnson to get off at all to complete a reversal all three of his losses in rematches. He had previously avenged losses to Eric Harding and Roy Jones.
Tarver threw 851 punches, connecting with 218 for a 26 per cent success rate and Johnson also got 26 per cent but landed 149 of only 564.
