The Man vs. The Myth
By Jared M. Callanan
27.04 - This weekend the biggest Light Heavyweight fight in close to four years takes place when Montell Griffin and Antonio Tarver hookup for the vacant IBF and WBC Light Heavyweight titles. It's the classic "Man vs. Myth" battle.
The man is Montell Griffin who is possibly one of the most underrated fighters of the last ten years. He is a former Light Heavyweight Champion, the only blemish on Roy Jones' record, and has beaten close to every other notable Light Heavyweight; outside of Dariusz Michalczewski - since joining the division. If It wasn't for Dariusz Michalczewski and Roy Jones, Jr., Montell Griffin would be a long reigning champion in the division.
The myth is Antonio Tarver whose career has been based off of hype rather then accomplishments. He's been knocked down by feather fisted boxers such as Eric Harding and Reggie Johnson as he lost to Harding in their first fight and skimmed out a victory over a Reggie Johnson who didn't show up to fight. Give the 34 year old Tarver credit though, his hype has scared Roy Jones Jr., from the division.
Griffin beat Jones Jr., and yes Griffin hand landed more punches and was up on a score card when Jones fouled, and he almost upset Michalczewski in Bremen, Germany. Michalczewski and Jones, Jr would beat Antonio Tarver to a pulp even at this stage in their respected careers.
The last Man vs. Myth battle was Kostya Tyszu vs. Zab Judah and we all remember how that one finished. Albeit, this fight won't be as much of a blowout, expect Griffin to expose Tarver for what he is, a hyped up boxer with below average skills.
Quick Hits
~ James Toney vs. Vassily Jirov might be the fight of the year. Expect Vassily Jirov to show why many have considered him a pound for pound talent since he went pro in 1997.
~ Bravo to the courts who stripped Roy Jones Jr. of the WBC Light Heavyweight title. Graciano Rocchigiani was unjustly stripped of that title after beating Michael Nunn for it in 1998. The courts decided that Rocchigani was the WBC Light Heavyweight Champion up until April on 2000 when he lost to Dariusz Michalczewski making Michalczewski the legitimate holder of every major title in the Light Heavyweight division.
~ Good to see Oliver McCall back in the ring on the 24th when he beat Dennis McKinney in South Carolina. If Mike Tyson wants to show that he has any gas left in the tank he should sign to fight McCall who has been pushing for a fight with Tyson since getting his career back on track in 2000.
