Redemption in Vegas: Antonio Tarver vs. Roy Jones Jr. For the Light Heavyweight Titles

On May 15, 2004, at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Paradise, Nevada, Roy Jones Jr. and Antonio Tarver met in a highly anticipated rematch for the WBA (Unified), WBC, IBA, IBO, The Ring, and vacant WBF (Foundation), light heavyweight titles. It was a rematch of their first fight, which Jones won by majority decision the previous year, with one card reading 114-114, with the other two cards 117–111 and 116–112 in favour of the Pensacola native. Tarver was not to be denied in the rematch as he won in stunning style.

Antonio Tarver Defeats Roy Jones Jr. in Las Vegas

Antonio Tarver vs. Roy Jones Jr. Recap

Jones started brightly, taking the first round, with his lightening hand speed and excellent movement, ensuring he got into his groove quickly. The Pensacola fighter looked to repeat his success in round two, with Tarver seemingly content to wait for an opportunity.

The golden opportunity for “Magic Man” presented itself around the halfway point of the second round, when “Junior” threw a right hand, and Tarver pounced, throwing a heavy countering left hook. The hook dropped Jones for only the second time in his career. Despite making it to his feet, he looked unsteady, to say the least, and the referee ended the fight, awarding “Magic Man” a sensational second-round TKO victory.

Roy Jones Jr. Legacy

The accuracy and speed of “Junior” helped him become one of the greatest boxers of all time. He bamboozled fighters with his excellent movement and ability to punch from unusual angles. Winning the WBA heavyweight title against John Ruiz was an unbelievable achievement from Jones as he systematically beatdown Ruiz, winning by unanimous decision, 116-112, 117-111 and 118-110.

Despite disappointing defeats later on in his career, Jones will be remembered as one of the all-time greats who, at the peak of his powers, had everything.