Virgil Foss won the prize package. Rocky doll has returned to the prize closet.

In front of a sold-out crowd of 20,895, the once pound-for-pound elitist Roy Jones Jr. (49-4-0, 38 KOs), 173 lbs, entered the ring against Tampa's own Antonio Tarver (24-3-0, 18 KOs), 175 lbs. Surprisingly, the hometown crowd cheered loudly for the Pensacola-born Jones, and showered Tampa's Tarver with a chorus of boos. At the point Michael Buffer announced Roy Jones Jr.'s name, the ovation heard rivaled that of Michael Jordan, while the mixed response to Tarver could be seen to have an effect on Antonio's response.

The opening round of this historic contest was a feeling out round, as neither fighter mustered much offense. Jones took the round, landing a few more punches than Tarver. The slow beginning of the second took a huge detour as Tarver caught Jones on the ropes, landing a long overhand left to the head that hurt Jones. Jones took the third one punch at a time, keeping himself in the middle of the ring. Tarver backed Roy into the corner in the final minute, but only to find Jones countering and moving out of the neutral corner. Jones ended the round with a sharp left hook.

Jones opened up more in the fourth, landing a series of punches that seemingly shook Tarver a bit. A solid double right hook backed Tarver off and Jones followed with a brutal body shot. A lead left forced Tarver to wince and shake off the head shot. The Jones of old struck early in the fifth, landing a lightning quick combination that first put Jones on the map. The crowd released a deafening roar every time Roy lands, showing almost full support to the former world champion. Jones staggered Tarver with a left uppercut halfway through the round and trading with Tarver throughout.

Tarver exploded in the opening of the next stanza, trying to trap Roy in the ropes and both are truly showing what this fight means to them. Tarver began to put together his shots together, scoring with a combination of pity-pat shots along with several hard blows to Jones' body. Tarver won the next round almost by default as Jones seemed reluctant to throw a punch. Jones continued to showboat, and absorb Tarver's shots, seemingly trying to prove to Tarver that he can take them. Same would be true for the eighth, with Jones lacking much offense and Tarver landing minimal amounts, but enough to secure the round.

Tarver hurt Jones with an overhand left as Jones came off the ropes to avoid Tarver's combination. Jones continued to try and steal rounds one punch at a time. The Jones of old that had shown itself early in the bout has already faded, as when pushed against the ropes in the ninth, Jones did not attempt to counter, but only let off when Tarver backed up.

Jones, knowing he needed to fight back, tried to come out strong, but Tarver swarmed him with a powerful assortment of shots. Tarver caught Jones cleanly against the ropes, reminiscent of the Johnson-Jones bout. Jones was able to land a flush combination towards the end of the round. Tarver froze Jones in the eleventh with a staggering straight left, but nearly fell out of the ring himself as he pursued Jones. Tarver pushed him into the corner and unloaded lethal shots to the head and body of Jones, but seemed to tire. Jones, gritting his teeth, proved his championship heart and mettle by furiously firing back at Tarver, trying desperately for a win.

The twelfth and final round would prove to possibly be the final chapter in the storied career of one of boxing's all-time best, as Tarver was able to coast in the round, giving it up to Jones.

Judges scored the bout 117-111 (Peter Trematerra), and 116-112 twice (Paul Herman and Michael Pernick) all for the reigning world champion Antonio Tarver. Fightnews scored the bout 115-113 for Tarver. Referee for the main event was Tommy Kimmons. Punch stats heavily favored Tarver, who landed 158 of 620 (25%) to 85 of 230 (27%) for Jones. Power punches were closer, as Tarver edged Jones 107 to 74 in that department. Following the bout, Jones acknowledged he lost the bout but was proud of his performance.