Connect with us

Articles of 2007

Tarver Is Listless, Beats Muriqi, Barely

Published

on

It doesn't happen all that often but it did Saturday night at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. The stock of the man who won the fight slipped, and the stock of the loser shot up. Antonio Tarver was “the winner,” as the former light heavyweight titlist was granted a majority decision over super stubborn Elvir Muriqi, who cannot be rightfully described as “the loser.”

The judges saw it 115-113, 116-112, 114-114 in favor of the 38-year-old Tarver, who looked like a man who hadn't fought in a year.

TSS scored it 115-113 for Muriqi.

The Kosovo Kid very nearly got a matchmaker fired, as he pestered Tarver for all twelve rounds, and performed far better than anyone predicted against a boxer two giant steps up from any competitor he'd previously faced.

Tarver left the building with the vacant IBO 175 belt.

In the twelfth round, the 28-year-old Muriqi told the judges that he wanted it more than Tarver did as he went to the body with left hooks. Tarver came out of the slumber at the one minute mark, but Muriqi wouldn't go to the floor if Tarver had a stun gun and slipped him a roofie before the round. Muriqi raised his hands and Ali Shuffled in the last few seconds.

Tarver (25-4, 18 KOs) flurried to begin the eleventh round and Muriqi (34-4, 21 KOs) waved him forward, asking for more punishment. Muriqi, who had never fought past the eighth round in any bout, showed that his cardio regimen was tip top. The action was plentiful for this late juncture.

Tarver put his left to work in the tenth, but that didn't put Muriqi off for long. The New York resident ducked and slipped smartly and landed to Tarver's body with oomph. The round was clearly the Kosovian's. But would the judges see it the same way, and reward the less well known boxer for his effort?

Into the ninth: the Kid kept on keeping on, kept on in Tarver's face, and the ex-champ didn't put his foot down hard on the pedal.

The eighth saw Tarver at his liveliest, for a brief spell: he came underneath with uppers that hit the mark, but he didn't have the juice to sustain that pace, and of course, the stubborn Kosovian pressed forward. Tarver went righty for kicks I guess to close the eighth.

In the seventh round, Muriqi appeared to be lagging some. He was throwing, but pushing punches more than snapping them at times. But hey, throwing's better than posing, which Tarver was doing too much of. Still, Tarver's accuracy probably took the round.

Tarver came to attention at the start of the sixth, but again, Muriqi sent word that he wouldn't be accommodating. Tarver did take the sixth, on his activity alone. When he stayed busy, with those long limbs, Muriqi couldn't answer.

Muriqi landed a nifty right in the sixth and the sense that a considerable upset could unfold became all the more conceivable. Tarver even flinched when Muriqi teased with a feint right to the body. The former light heavy champ and the Kosovian bumped heads, and a cut formed on Muriqi's right peeper. The sight of the red woke up Tarver, who threw three long lefts after seeing color.

In the fourth round, Muriqi brought the action to Tarver, landing a right upper, and outworking the more heralded vet early. Tarver got more lively in the last third of the round, but not enough to take the round on the TSS card.

The third round, Muriqi stepped up as Tarver stepped back. The younger man, who fights out of the Bronx, NY, showed quite competent skills and a good belt-worth of tools acquired in years of amateur and professional action.

In the second, Tarver perked up. By the way, Buddy McGirt is no longer working with Tarver. His original trainer, Jimmy Williams, is back behind the wheel. He looked confident, perhaps overly so, as he took his jab out of the holster. He landed a counter left a few times against Muriqi, who doesn't have a slippery defense.

The first round saw Tarver, seemingly not under the influence of any foreign substance slipped to him by some shadowy miscreant, size up the Kosovo Kid. Muriqi was active, and effective, and didn't look overmatched.

SPEEDBAG Off the two performances tonight, Dawson is the favorite if his planned bout with Tarver takes place. For Tarver, I got a question.  Anyone put anything in your water bottle tonight, Antonio?

–A beef took place afterwards, as Tarver commanded Muriqi possemembers out of the ring. Then, Tarver thundered that the judging was a disgrace, to Jim Gray. He called for the judge who called it a draw to be barred. “That was classic boxing,” Tarver told Gray, who did well not to snort derisively. “The man was never in the fight, you had an A dog versus a B dog,” he said. Hey, maybe someone did slip something to Tarver, cause he sounded like he was goofed on somethin.'

—Gray chatted with Muriqi, who said the “whole world knows I won the fight.”
Muriqi gave a shoutout to trainer Colin Morgan, and then asked for a rematch.

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Boxing-Notes-and-Nuggets-from-Thomas-Hauser
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Boxing Notes and Nuggets from Thomas Hauser

Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Sam-Goodman-and-Eccentric-Harry-Garside-Score-Wins-on-a-Wednesday-Card-in-Sydney
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Sam Goodman and Eccentric Harry Garside Score Wins on a Wednesday Card in Sydney

Avila-Perspective-Chap-326-A-Hectic-Boxing-Week-in-LA
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 326: A Hectic Boxing Week in L.A.

Hiruta-Bohachuk-and-Trinidad-Win-at-the-Commerce-Casino
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Hiruta, Bohachuk, and Trinidad Win at the Commerce Casino

David-Allen-Bursts-Johnny-Fisher's-Bubble-at-the-Copper-Box
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

David Allen Bursts Johnny Fisher’s Bubble at the Copper Box

Italy-Mourns-the-Death-of-Legendary-Boxer-Nino-Benvenuti
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Italy Mourns the Death of Legendary Boxer Nino Benvenuti

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles5 days ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles1 week ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles5 days ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles2 days ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles5 days ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles5 days ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles1 week ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

Italy-Mourns-the-Death-of-Legendary-Boxer-Nino-Benvenuti
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Italy Mourns the Death of Legendary Boxer Nino Benvenuti

Boxing-Notes-and-Nuggets-from-Thomas-Hauser
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Boxing Notes and Nuggets from Thomas Hauser

Hiruta-Bohachuk-and-Trinidad-Win-at-the-Commerce-Casino
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Hiruta, Bohachuk, and Trinidad Win at the Commerce Casino

David-Allen-Bursts-Johnny-Fisher's-Bubble-at-the-Copper-Box
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

David Allen Bursts Johnny Fisher’s Bubble at the Copper Box

Avila-Perspective-Chap-326-A-Hectic-Boxing-Week-in-LA
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 326: A Hectic Boxing Week in L.A.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending