(Editor's Note: Frank Lotierzo penned a piece on 6/23/05 on the subject of Antonio Tarver being the only fighter that could vindicate Roy Jones and if Jones was ever going to make a return to the ring, he would have to return against Tarver. You can read the article by Clicking Here. Another reason why you have to read BoxingScene.com every single day.)

By Frank Lotierzo

On October 1st of this year at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Antonio Tarver 23-3 (18) will meet Roy Jones 48-3 (38) for a third time after splitting their first two meetings. This will occur on the 30th anniversary of the most famous rubber match in boxing history, the third and final meeting between former heavyweight champs Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, known as "The Thrilla In Manila."

Jones, voted the pound-for-pound fighter of the 1990's, will meet the undisputed best light heavyweight in boxing when he meets Tarver. Their rivalry dates back to their early days fighting as amateurs in the state of Florida. However, it didn't become a full blown rivalry of note until Nov. 8, 2003, when Tarver defended his light heavyweight titles in the first meeting between them. 

The first Tarver-Jones fight was the result of Antonio Tarver claiming he chased Roy Jones out of the light heavyweight division. Tarver relentlessly harassed Jones at his post-fight press conference after he won the WBA heavyweight title from John Ruiz. Accusing Jones of ducking and dodging him. Tarver annoyed Jones to the point where Jones wanted the fight as much as Tarver. Nine months after his heavyweight debut, a depleted and drawn Jones had his hands full with Tarver, but took his title by winning a majority decision (117-111, 116-112, 114-114).

It is in this fight where Roy Jones earned my respect more than any other fight in his career, for this was the first time he had to answer questions he'd never been asked to before in the ring as a pro. Throughout his career, Jones showed he was a great front-runner. What was unknown to the boxing world was how he'd hold up when the pressure was really on. After ten rounds, I had the fight 5-5/ in rounds or 95-95/ on points. In rounds 11 and 12, Jones did what every other great champion was forced to do at least once during their title tenure: That is suck it up in a big spot and gut out a win against a determined challenger when they had nothing left. On a night when Jones had nothing left but his heart and will to win and draw from, he wanted it more than Tarver and pulled out the last two rounds as I saw it to regain the title. Although many who saw the fight in favor of Tarver, I scored it 7-5/ rounds and 115-113 points for Jones. 

The controversy over the closely contested bout forced Tarver and Jones to fight a rematch on May 15, 2004. At the press conference announcing the rematch, Jones told Tarver this time he'd face the "Real Roy Jones." For this fight Roy left no stones unturned. He hired fitness guru Mackie Shilstone to help get him in top condition for the fight. Shilstone helped Jones make the transition in weight to fight Ruiz, and was best known for transforming undefeated light heavyweight champion Michael Spinks into a 200 pound heavyweight for his history making bout with the undefeated heavyweight champion of the world, Larry Holmes. 

Jones was a 4-1 favorite for the rematch and promised he'd erase the residual from the first fight. Jones started strong in the rematch and boxed as well as he did at anytime during his reign as light heavyweight champ, clearly winning the round. In the second round a perfect counter left from Tarver, after Jones missed with his hook, caught him flush on his jaw and sent him to the canvas. Jones was out before his body crashed against the ring floor. He valiantly tried to get to his feet, but collapsed and barely reached his feet at referee Jay Nady's count of ten. The sledgehammer left landed by Tarver was the only clean punch he had landed in the fight. With one punch, Tarver took Jones's WBC, WBA, IBO, IBA and NBA title belts, along his reputation as being unbeatable.

Four months after being stopped by Tarver, Jones fought IBF light heavyweight champ Glen Johnson. Jones saw Johnson, who was 8-9-2 in his last 19 fights as an easy win and a chance to pick up another title. In round five Johnson almost dropped Jones with a left hook. In the ninth round, Johnson nailed Jones with an overhand right, knocking him out. Jones was down over eight minutes before he got up. Jones has said since losing to Johnson that he doesn't want to go out of boxing a loser.

Roy Jones is not a loser and anyone who would have the gall to say such should look in the mirror. There, they'll see what a loser looks like. I have been tough on Roy Jones throughout his boxing career. Although I was aware of his obvious skill, I viewed him as a big fish in a small pond. He drove me nuts saying since losing to Glen Johnson, "I'll only fight again if there is a fight that interests me." This appalled me. How could he have said something like that? His legacy was tarnished by one Tarver left hand. How could he not want redemption against him?

It was one thing to view Tarver the better fighter, but it seemed apparent Tarver took more than his legacy, he took his heart. That's not acceptable for a supposed great fighter like Jones to have happen. Because I thought Tarver took Jones's heart, I have admonished him since it became obvious that Roy acted as if he was never knocked out by Tarver. I had a hard time accepting Jones said there were no fights out there for him to get him excited about. As a result I questioned his heart and character compared to some other past greats.

The knockout loss to Tarver by Jones was huge. Light heavyweight is the division Roy Jones fought the most title bouts and rounds as a world champion in. It just so happened to be that Tarver was clearly the best fighter he fought at light heavyweight. It was looking as though the best opponent Jones took on at 175, clearly bettered him in two bouts. That's not such a big deal. Some fighters just match up with and can beat fighters who may be better than they are. What can't happen is for the perceived better talent and star to indicate by his actions that he too believes he can't beat the other fighter.

Muhammad Ali had his jaw broke by Ken Norton in their first fight and went on to lose a split decision. Ali was obsessed with fighting Norton again and six months later in his next fight he evened the score winning a split decision over him in their rematch. A year after his rematch with Norton, Ali won the heavyweight title for the second time with an eight round stoppage of champion George Foreman. Eleven months later Ali fought the last great fight of his career when he beat Joe Frazier in "The Thrilla In Manila." After Manila Ali made three title defenses and then defended it against the fighter who he never figured out how to fight, Ken Norton. Ali retained the title when he won the 15th round on all three officials cards to earn the decision. 

Some boxing observers and fans thought Norton won the fight. There are also some who think Norton won their second fight and even a faction exist that believe Norton won all three fights between he and Ali. I happen to think all three fights were scored correctly. However, those who think Norton went 3-0 vs Ali, even they cannot say Norton took his heart or nerve for a second. 

Until he agreed to fight Antonio Tarver again, I thought Tarver did to Jones what Norton hadn't come close to doing to Ali. That is convincing Ali that he (Norton) was the better fighter. I really believed Tarver took Jones' heart and that Roy wanted no parts of him again. I thought Roy Jones accepted not knowing if Tarver got lucky or if he was the better fighter who had his number. Instead of taking the path that other greats have and fighting him again and not worrying or fearing how it turned out. 

Well Mr. Jones proved me wrong in that regard. Regardless of the outcome in the Tarver-Jones rubber match, Roy Jones has shown that he's made of the same character as many of histories great champions. I'm glad too have been proved wrong by him. I don't care if Tarver goes on to stretch him for the count with the first punch he lands in the fight, Jones showed what he's made of by taking the fight.

Roy Jones should be saluted by all win or lose against Tarver this time: Tarver shattered his confidence, not Glen Johnson. At the end of the first round of the Tarver rematch, Jones believed he was unbeatable, which is easy for a fighter to do when he's never been bettered by his opponent in the ring. In my opinion, Tarver pushed Jones the first time they fought, but didn't better him. After Jones was knocked out by Tarver, he realized something that never crossed his mind as a pro: He wasn't made of concrete and steel.

When Roy Jones took on Glen Johnson, he was very tentative and glove-shy during the fight. He let Johnson dictate the tempo because he didn't want to chance getting nailed with something big that he didn't see. That's the surest sign of a fighter who is trying to survive more than win. It's also an indication of a fighter who has lost his confidence. In the ninth round, Johnson caught him with a right and knocked him out. Glen Johnson is no puncher, yet he stretched Jones for eight minutes. After the fight Jones realized what he feared most, getting stopped again.

Since his last fight, Jones watched his two conquerors fight each other 24 rounds over two fights with each winning by decision. Tarver and Johnson connected with the same punches against each other that knocked out Roy. That has to play on his mind. Roy has to convince himself that Tarver was Bob Foster the night he was knocked out by him and Glen Johnson was Michael Spinks when he was KO'd by him. Obviously you can see the mental baggage Jones will carry psychologically when he gets in the ring with Antonio Tarver again.

Had Roy left boxing without fighting Tarver again, I would have to ask myself why he never wanted to settle the score with him. I would've deduced that he feared he couldn't beat him. Now I know Tarver didn't take his heart and I'll even get the answer as to whether Jones is capable of turning the table on him by winning the rubber match.

At first I was reluctant to write this article because I thought this fight was only happening because Bernard Hopkins didn't get the decision against Jermain Taylor, which is still an intriguing question. And I'll be honest, it still lingers in the back of my mind. Maybe had Hopkins received the decision I thought he deserved against Taylor, Tarver-Jones III wouldn't have become a reality. No doubt Jones probably would've tried to fight Hopkins, but Hopkins would've been looking to make history against Tarver.

No way Hopkins would pass up a chance to be the first reigning middleweight champ to beat the reigning light heavyweight champ, just to exact revenge on Jones. Had Jones never fought again, his nights of brilliance would've reduced the memory of being counted out in his last two fights.

The bottom line is Roy Jones is fighting Antonio Tarver again, with a lot more to lose and at a time when Tarver's confidence has never been higher. Tarver may beat Jones when they meet in 59 days, but we know one thing he can't do, he can't take Jones' heart. Now we'll find out if Tarver just landed a lucky punch.