Boxing News: Tickets for Tarver-Jones Going Like Hotcakes

NEW YORK (August 19, 2005) – Antonio Tarver’s and Roy Jones’ names will forever be linked. They first met in the ring as 13-year-olds at the Sunshine State Games in Gainesville, Florida, and each went on to become Olympic medalists. As professionals, Jones became one of the most decorated champions in boxing history, while Tarver fought his way to the top to become world light heavyweight champion. But for Tarver to be known as the best, he had to beat Roy Jones.

Jones-Tarver I took place on November 8, 2003 and ended in a controversial Jones’ win by decision. The rematch took place on May 15, 2004 and Tarver shocked the world when he knocked out Jones in the second round.  On October 1, 2005, Tarver and Jones will settle the score and do it again … and this time there will be “No Excuses.”

“We are thrilled about the fact that in the first couple of hours we have sold over 5,000 tickets,” said Joe DeGuardia, President/CEO of Star Boxing, which is co-promoting the fight. “The excitement in Tampa is unbelievable. The appeal of Tarver and Jones can be seen right now outside the building where fans are waiting in line to buy tickets. It shows the anticipation among fans to be part of history and this great trilogy.”

Square Ring's Brad Jacobs said, “Square Ring is so excited about the fan response to this terrific matchup. The combination of having a fight of legendary proportions with two great athletes and having the fight take place in both fighters home state has proven to be a winning combination.”

“We are proud to host an event of this magnitude. This is not only great for the St. Pete Times Forum, but for Tampa Bay and the state of Florida,” said Sean Henry, Executive Vice President of the St. Pete Times Forum and the Tampa Bay Lightning. “The velocity at which tickets are selling speaks volumes about boxing and its future in the Bay area.”

Tarver vs. Jones will be broadcast on HBO Pay-Per-View and is presented by Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing and Square Ring, Inc. The rubber match will take place at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, FL. Tickets, priced at $25, $50, $100, $200, $350 and $600 and limited VIP packages are available at the St. Pete Times Forum box office, by calling Ticketmaster at 813.287.8844 or 727.898.2100 or by logging onto www.ticketmaster.com.

The Tarver vs. Jones III pay-per-view telecast begins at 9pm ET/6pm PT on October 1 and has a suggested retail price of $49.95. It will be distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to over 50 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For your daily Tarver-Jones III updates visit www.hboppv.com.