Boxing: Tarver beats Jones for title

Antonio Tarver's left hand came from nowhere to stop Roy Jones Jnr on Saturday night, earning him the light-heavyweight title and handing Jones the most crushing defeat of his illustrious career.

Antonio Tarver's left hand came from nowhere to stop Roy Jones Jnr on Saturday night, earning him the light-heavyweight title and handing Jones the most crushing defeat of his illustrious career.

Tarver seemed slow in starting when Jones threw a right hand in the second round that missed and caused his opponent to crouch down. Tarver came out of the crouch with a roundhouse left hand that caught Jones flush on the side of his face.

Jones was knocked under the ropes in Tarver's corner, and was badly hurt, even though he managed to get up at about the count of seven. But he stumbled across the ring as referee Jay Nady waved the fight to an end after 1min 41sec of the second round. It was only the second defeat of Jones' 15-year pro career, and only the second time he had ever been knocked down. His first loss was on disqualification in a fight he later avenged.

"I never gave up on my dream so here we are," Tarver exclaimed after his victory.