LOS ANGELES, CA - The astonishing turnaround in the life of the modest Jamaican boxer Glen Johnson was completed at the Staples Center Los Angeles, as he beat the odds to win a split points decision against the Antonio Tarver to be hailed as the world's Number 1 light- heavyweight.
At 35, many fighters in Johnson's position might have given up hope of ever reaching a position of pre-eminence. Until this year, he was regarded as one of the journeymen of the sport as he travelled, often to his opponent's home town and often to end the night on the wrong end of dubious judging verdicts.
But Johnson first defeated Sheffield's Clinton Woods to win the International Boxing Federation title having earlier been furious when Woods was awarded a draw when they first fought last year. Then, in September, he emulated the 36-year-old Tarver by knocking out the once superlative Roy Jones.
The "Road Warrior" had become a star and his narrow win on Saturday night establishes Johnson as the best, even though both men had to relinquish their championship belts - Tarver was World Boxing Council champion - for the fight to go ahead.
"It was down to hard work and determination - I just keep on working," said Johnson after receiving the verdict with two judges scoring the fight 115-113 while the third made Tarver a 116-112 winner.
A bitter and always outspoken Tarver contested the accuracy of the decision. However Johnson remained humble declaring: "I am not the best. I'm still looking for Mr. Best. I would never call myself the best."
Johnson won the contest with his constant aggression and volume punches. Faster out of the blocks, just as he had been against Jones, Johnson took the first three rounds as he carried the contest to the taller, flashier, southpaw Tarver.
At 5ft 10 1/2 in, the smaller man by four inches, Johnson jabbed his way into range impressively before throwing hooks to body and head as soon as Tarver’s back touched the ropes.
Clean combinations brought Tarver back and Johnson appeared stunned by a series of solid lefts in the sixth round, but sheer force of will gave Johnson the edge in what might have been a crucial seventh round and Tarver was not able to show his superior firepower again until the final round when Johnson's legs were buckled by another big left hand.
Even then, Johnson fought back and the one-time bit part player had the Los Angeles crowd cheering his name as the fight ended and the scorecards were collected.
"I did enough to win. I want a re-match," said Tarver, who had said before the fight he was on a mission to prove himself the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world.
"I'm not one to make excuses, but I hurt my left hand early in the fight," he told television viewers. Johnson, who, like Tarver, is based in Florida, has said he only fights to provide for his family and, typically, paid tribute to his opponent even though many at ringside thought Johnson was a deserved winner.
"Antonio Tarver proved he is a great champion," said Johnson. "I will definitely give him a re-match. I will fight Tarver anytime and anyplace."
In other action, middleweight prospect Andre Ward, the only American boxer to receive a gold medal in the 2004 Olympic Games, made a successful debut on the undercard before a sparse crowd at the Staples Center last night.
After getting over some first-round jitters and some rough tactics by his opponent, Chris Molina, Ward stopped Molina at 40 seconds of the second round. Ward dropped Molina with a straight left hand in the first round and dropped him again in the second round with another left that caught Molina in the right eye.
Molina complained to referee Jose Cobian that he couldn't see, but he got up at the count of eight. Cobian waved off the fight without much protest from Molina, 2-1 (1 KO).
"I figured he would come out and try to maul me," Ward said. "They look at my physique and they think I'm weak. But that's a mistake. He was trying to bait me into slugging with him, but I didn't take the bait."
Ward's next bout will take place on Thursday, February 10th on the Fox Sports Net's "Best Damn Sports Show Period."
Bobby Roy
LA Correspondent
Information from other publications and wire services was used in the compilation of this report.
LOS ANGELES, CA - The astonishing turnaround in the life of the modest Jamaican boxer Glen Johnson was completed at the Staples Center Los Angeles, as he beat the odds to win a split points decision against the Antonio Tarver to be hailed as the world's Number 1 light- heavyweight.