Antonio Tarver is the same age as Roy Jones but has been fighting for half the time Jones has and also has had half as many fights. At the age they are, that translates to more of an edge in being fresh for Tarver than it does to Jones having the nod in experience. Jones has been off for a year, hasn’t taken a tune-up fight, and has been stopped in his past two fights (by both Tarver and Glen Johnson). I think the move up to heavyweight has damaged Jones for good because he did it so late in his career; his body just isn’t what it was before the move up. Tarver hits hard enough and is technically a sound fighter, one good enough to beat Jones for a second time on this night. Not concerned about Tarver taking Jones lightly, no way, they don’t like each other … Byrd has slowed down a bit of late and has been taking, and giving, more punches than in the past. While it makes for a more exciting fight, it isn’t necessarily a good thing. Williamson can crack some but I still don’t see him hitting Byrd clean enough to win the fight. His only chance is a knockout – and like Samuel Peter last weekend, it likely won’t come. A Byrd win would set up a major payday in a huge rematch against Wladimir Klitschkko– provided the networks allow it to happen – and sometimes what is best for boxing is what eventually transpires. Byrd by decision.

Joey Knish

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