by Geoffrey Ciani (Exclusive Interview by Jenna J & Geoffrey Ciani) – This week’s 153rd edition of On the Ropes Boxing Radio featured an exclusive interview with former light heavyweight champion of the world “The Magic Man” Antonio Tarver (29-6, 20 KOs) who is seeking a fight against reigning heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (56-3, 49 KOs) sometime next year. Tarver spoke about the possibility of facing Klitschko, and also discussed a wide range of topics including the Super Six Final matchup between Andre Ward and Carl Froch, a potential fourth fight with Roy Jones Junior, the California State Athletic Commission officially changing the Bernard Hopkins versus Chad Dawson result to a new contest, Abner Mares and the current state of the bantamweight division, his take on the Floyd Mayweather Junior-Manny Pacquiao situation, and more! Here is what “The Magic Man” had to say:
Regarding how soon fans can expect to see Antonio Tarver back inside the ring:
“Well you know if I had it my way I would fight every three months. But you know, with the state of the game right now it’s kind of hard. I’ve been patient. I know my man Al Haymon is working diligently to make sure that we have every opportunity to do the things that we want to do, and that’s unify the cruiserweight championship. If we can’t do that then I want a shot at the heavyweight title. I’ve been really beating the bushes with that and it seems like nobody is listening, but I really, really feel like I can go up and do something great. I can get in great shape around 215 pounds and once again shock the world, and I want to do that before I retire or at least have that opportunity.”
On how badly he would like to face Wladimir Klitschko given the fact Klitschko expressed interest in facing Tarver on the previous week’s show:
“When I set my mind and my heart to something that’s what it is. I would love to get in there with Wladimir Klitschko. In fact, he called my name out about a year ago before he took on David Haye. You know I never mentioned him until he mentioned me. So you know, it’s something that I would really like to do. It doesn’t matter where. My passport stays ready, and like I said, if I get that opportunity I know I have the skill to dethrone him. The guys he’s fighting, they’re defeated before they ever step in the ring. I believe in miracles. I’ve made miracles happen in my life before, and every dream I’ve ever had I’ve accomplished. So that’s just another dream of mine and I don’t see, if I get that opportunity, that I can fail. I mean in order to beat me you have to hit me, and I just know with my defense and I know my high IQ in boxing. It will be the toughest fight he’s ever had. It doesn’t mean that I’m going to go in there and knock him out with one punch, but I will frustrate him, he will miss all night, he won’t be able to hit me, and he can put his right hand in his pocket because it will be a nonfactor. When you frustrate somebody, a big guy like that who’s not as fast as me and I know I can get inside and stay close. He’ll fight me without the arms because I won’t be on the end of his punches. I’ve said that before. People thought I was crazy. I shocked the world when I knocked out Roy Jones, and if I get the chance to get Wladimir Klitschko in the ring I’ll do the same thing.”
His views on whether a fight between him and Klitschko would be a big enough sell to bring heavyweight championship boxing back to the United States:
“Most definitely! Most definitely. You know you have all of this 24/7 out there at HBO. You got 360 at Showtime. I mean this is a fight that I think both of the networks would be interested in. Like I said, when you fight “The Magic Man” you can never count me out. You can never count me out. I’m comfortable at 200 pounds and I’m comfortable at anything above 200 pounds. It’s my natural weight. I’ve been a big, big light heavyweight for years and it got to the point where I was killing myself to make that weight and by the fight night came I was starched of all my natural ability and my conditioning, particularly with Chad Dawson. There were certain things that I wasn’t able to do due to the fact that I just killed myself getting down. So the best thing for me was to move up and I haven’t felt this comfortable in a long, long time. Do you know what I mean? At 200 pounds it’s an ideal weight for me, but 215 would be more ideal and I think I will bring the power up with me. You saw that against Danny Green. I mean the guy was never the same after I fought him. Like I said, I just know that there’s something big out there for me. I know God hasn’t preserved me this well for this long just to retire without doing something unbelievably special. I just think it’s in the cards for me. I think it’s my purpose and it’s my promise.”
His views on the fact that Roy Jones Junior called Tarver out to a fourth week on the previous week’s edition of On the Ropes Boxing Radio stating “Tarver is on his Christmas list”:
“See that just goes to show you the man is delusional. He shouldn’t be believing in Santa Claus. There ain’t no Santa Claus and Roy Jones would never get that wish. I’m sure he would love to fight me again, but like I said, I don’t think that fight sells and I think that fight sets me back. I’m not on the same level as Roy Jones. I think I’ve proven that over the years. I mean he still has a credible name, but I don’t know how credible his name his when you’re talking about fighting a credible opponent. I think those days are behind us. It was great, the trilogy, and the history of it all, but right now I’m not trying to take any steps backwards. I’m trying to take steps forward.”
His views on whether Roy Jones should still be boxing and whether he believes Jones hurt his legacy following some of his more recent losses:
“I mean I can’t talk down on Roy Jones. He’s his own man. I’m sure he has his family, and loved ones, and friends that could advise him on what he should be doing. I’m not going to sit high and look low and criticize anyone, but I think Roy Jones had an unbelievable career. I mean when he was on top he did things that only people could dream about. I’m not going to be judgmental and even give an opinion on that. I reserve that for the critics.”
On which cruiserweights he would like to target as an opponent if he is unable to get Wladimir Klitschko inside the ring:
“I’ll be able to get him in the ring! I’ll be able to get him in the ring because he’s fought every American that has a pulse. You know he’s fought everybody! He’s even signed to fight Mormeck. So there is no real excuse. It’s not a size situation. It’s nothing. All we got to do is get to the drawing board and get to the table, and we’ll put the fight together. Bring Klitschko back to America, because that’s where they want to be anyway and I think I’m the perfect name for that. There is not a better fighter that can promote that fight. A lot of people might think I’m crazy, but I promise you by the time it’s fight night there will be some believers and I’ll make a believer out of Wladimir Klitschko. I’m not David Haye, I know I can back up what I say. I’ve knocked out bigger guys in the street so I’m not intimidated at all by Wladimir Klitschko, and I’ve seen that he has problems with southpaws and I’ve seen when people fight back he’s a different type of fighter. Like I said, I don’t think he’ll be able to touch me with the right hand so I don’t know how he’ll be able to defeat me. He’ll have to get lucky and knock me out and I just don’t see that happening.”
On whether he is interested in opponent around 200 pounds first since Wladimir is scheduled to defend his title against Jean Marc Mormeck in March:
“Well I mean, look! If I get the opportunity to fight Wladimir Klitschko, that’s it! That’s the end of all ends. I mean I’ll wait until March. That’s not a problem, but definitely right now I am training for a cruiserweight fight. I would like to get back down to cruiserweight in shape, get strong, and then work my way back up and put on some good solid muscle before I go to Wladimir Klitschko. I definitely don’t need a tune-up fight, because I know how to fight. I can fight in my sleep! That’s not a problem. A tune-up fight? That’s not necessary. I know I have the skill and the will to do what I say I’m going to do and that’s shock the world one more time! I mean there will be a lot of believers and America hasn’t had a heavyweight like me in a long, long time—someone that can walk the walk, and talk the talk. Like I said, I just need an opportunity and that’s it! The rest will be history!”
His views on Danny Green’s recent loss against Krzysztof Wlodarczyk:
“Well I mean when you look at my history, when you look at my history when they face me, when I’m on my game and when I’m touching them an laying hands on them—they’re never the same. I mean you can go back as far as Roy Jones, Montell Griffin, you can go back to Chris Johnson, you can go back to Reggie Johnson, you can go back to Lincoln Carter, you can go back to guys like Eric Harding, you can go on and on! When I put hands on you you’re never the same fighter, because when you break your will, and you break yourself physically, and you hurt physically, and your will is broken—you’re never the same fighter! That’s just the bottom line. That’s why you got some of these young fighters out there that are shot. You got some older fighters like me that are still in their—I wouldn’t say prime, but I still can get the job done. My reflexes are still there, my timing is still there, and I can go in the gym and hit mitts and hit the bag after being off a month and everything is there. My mind is sharp. So like I said, I’m just a different breed. I’m cut from a different clothe. I’m not fighting like Bernard Hopkins and all of them other guys out here. I’m not looking for an easy way out. I’m healthy and I’m strong, and I just want to put it to work. That guy fought well but I wasn’t surprised that Danny Green got knocked out, but what I was surprised at was Danny Green was winning that fight. That’s what I was mostly surprised at. So that tells me right there that I would love to fight this guy and knock out the guy that knocked out Danny Green, just like he knocked out Roy Jones and I went in and knocked him out. My whole thing is I’m always trying to set the bar high, and I think if I did that they’ll know that there’s only one cruiserweight out there and that’s me! I’m going on record saying I will knockout any and every cruiserweight out there, because I just don’t feel like they’re going to be able to last and stand up to my power for twelve rounds. I just don’t think so and that’s just how I feel. I just feel that strong at cruiserweight!”
His views on the California State Athletic Commission officially changing the result of Bernard Hopkins versus Chad Dawson to a No Contest and what he thought of their matchup while it lasted:
“I mean I didn’t think anything of the fight! You know I told everybody I thought Dawson would run rampant on Hopkins. I didn’t think Hopkins was going to put up a fight, but to me personally I think Hopkins ducked out of the fight. You know what I mean? But I’m not a doctor. I’m not an expert, but this is fighting! This is boxing! You know you got a guy with eye shut closed, face broke, jaw broke—they go through the pain! At least make an attempt! The only problem I ever had with that fight, make an attempt to fight! He didn’t make an attempt to fight! He tried to sell it to the world that his arm was immobile. You know that’s the thing that I have a problem with. If you’re feeling a little pain okay! At least attempt, and if you can’t go on than okay, it is what it is! America would have had more respect for that rather than him laying on the canvas and it looked like he was faking an injury. You know what I mean? So that’s the whole problem with me. I had a broken jaw! I know what it feels like to fight in excruciating pain, but I didn’t quit! You don’t quit! That’s why you make millions of dollars when you fight! Did he give everybody a refund? No! So I had a problem with that! You know if he would have tried to throw a punch or two, get back into the action, and then saw that he couldn’t go on, then you take a knee and tap out. But you didn’t even attempt! You laid on the canvas and you ducked out of the fight! Period! You had a guy that fought Cotto who had a torn ligament and he still tried to fight when his knee busted out on him. Yuri Foreman! He didn’t quit! He fought with heart, and that’s what fighters do! Eric Harding back in the day when he fought Roy Jones, he tore his bicep and you could see the muscle all the way up to his shoulder! He didn’t quit! He fought through! There are many examples where guys couldn’t even see out of their eyes, with hemotomas on their head, and they still fough through. So that’s the problem that I have. Hopkins didn’t fight through! He didn’t even attempt to fight through! He didn’t even attempt to fight. He quit! He laid down and he ran all the way to the bank, and it’s a shame. I don’t care what the California State Athletic Commission has done, because obviously somebody has got a lot of power in California, and if you ask me I think it’s Golden Boy Promotion. It’s neither here nor there, but that’s what it is! He’s 46 years old. He doesn’t seem like he can fight the way he used to. There ain’t nobody making him fight! You know what I mean? If you can’t do it anymore retire! Bottom line.”
His views on whether he believes Bernard Hopkins owes Daws and the fans a rematch before moving on to someone like Lucian Bute:
“I don’t know if that fight sells, though! You know what I mean? Right now Hopkins is looking to cash out and Lucian Bute is a big fight over in Canada. He’s looking to fight the biggest fight that’s available to him, and if he can make that fight that would be huge! So it’s all about business. Hey! They can sell it over there but I don’t know. I don’t know if Hopkins back on pay-per-view, can anyone take him seriously after that fight? You know what I mean? He’s going to have to do a lot of talking. I just don’t know, and I think Chad Dawson is getting the short end of the stick here because he’s proven to be championship worthy. I don’t know. I think Chad is getting the short end of the stick from Hopkins and I think it’s politics.”
His views on what fans can expect in the Super Six Final showdown between Andre Ward and Carl Froch:
“I think fans can expect a tremendous fight with two proud, proud champions, and two guys that really know what’s at stake with a victory here. You know these guys are going to lay it all on the line and I think we’re going to see fireworks. I think Andre Ward is in the best shape of his life and I think Carl Froch is the same. When you look at these guys they’re ripped up! You can tell the focus that they have, and man! Styles make fights and I think this is a perfect style! When you look at a guy like Carl Froch that has been so multi-dimensional, he can do it all in the ring! Then you got a confident boxer/puncher/counter-puncher in Andre Ward man! You know these guys are going to have to! It’s going to be some boxing in the middle, but in the end I think they’re going to have to go toe-to-toe and they’re going to have to see who’s the best guy—who’s truly the best super middleweight. Whoever wins this fight, I don’t know how they can’t be a frontrunner for the Fighter of the Year. When you look at everything that they had to go through this year and the type of fights they had to have in the Super Six tournament. I mean I don’t see anybody real close that’s had a dominant year like the winner of the Super Six. So that’s going to get my vote for Fighter of the Year.”
On whether he believes the winner of the Super Six could emerge as a new superstar in boxing:
“I mean I think you really have to look at it like that, because the Super Six put it all out there man. These guys haven’t had an easy road! They had to go in each other’s backyard and they had to travel abroad. Carl Froch has really made a great living here in America and I think he’s won a lot of fans over with his fight against Glen Johnson. He showed a lot of heart and a lot of aggression, he’s got a granite chin, he’s a strong, strong fighter, and he just seems like he’s getting better! Andre Ward, I mean he’s an Olympic Gold Medalist! Let’s not forget that! This man won the Olympic Gold for America and we haven’t had one of those in a long, long time. Hey! He’s right there, a real clean cut guy that can truly transcend the sport. So I’m looking forward to the Super Six. I can’t wait! I’m glad that I have the best seat in the house, and I also get to commentate for Showtime! So I’m on cloud nine about the fight, and it’s going to be awesome! I just can’t wait!”
His views on the recent bantamweight tournament, Abner Mares’ rematch victory against King Kong Agbeko, and the general state of the bantamweight division:
“Oh man! The bantamweights were great man! I had a good time commentating and watching those guys grow, and also on the undercard I think a new name was born (Anselmo Moreno), a southpaw from Panama man. It was just unbelievable with his skill level and his skill set. I mean the bantamweights are a fine division right now! You got guys like the “Filipino Flash”, guys like Donaire out there. I mean it’s wide open for Abner Mares. He’s a young good-looking fighter that has a lot of heart. In every fight he has to go through adversity, and he’s won over a lot of fans. He has California as his home. He’s an American-Mexican so he has a big window out there of opportunity and his upside is endless. You got De La Hoya giving him guidance and leading him in the right direction. So we can look forward to Abner Mares in more bigger and bigger fights, and the guy is not afraid to fight anyone so I’m excited about his future.”
On whether he believes we are any closer to seeing the big mega bout between Floyd Mayweather Junior and Manny Pacquiao:
“I think so. I think so. Sometimes when a fighter doesn’t look his all best, it gives the other fighter I would say a sense of security. I wouldn’t say a false sense of security, because Mayweather is a great fighter and he can beat anybody on any given day. He has beaten everybody he’s ever faced. He’s undefeated and what more can you say? But when a fighter doesn’t look great and you can see yourself in there doing certain things to the guy, then it gives you a sense of security. Hey! I can beat this guy, maybe more so now then when he knocked out Hatton and with the things he did to De La Hoya. Sometimes you’re looking at this guy like wow! Is this guy really that strong, especially after what he did to Margarito. So you know he may have had some reservations, but now that he had another lackluster performance against Marquez and a lot of people felt that he could have came up on the wrong end of that decision. Floyd may be thinking hey, the time is now! I’ve talked to Floyd, and Floyd says hey he’s ready! You know he’s ready! Take the test and we got the right, but Floyd’s really concerned about Pacquiao being on steroids. So that’s just something that they’re going to have to get over and overcome by making him feel like everything is fair, the playing field is fair, and they got a fight. So I think Floyd is ready now, and I think hopefully by the end of next year we’ll see that fight materialize. I mean hey, that’s another giant fight but I just don’t want it to lose the luster. I think two or three fights ago it would have been at its all time peak, but right now people are wondering. Another bad showing by either guy or a controversial showing by either guy, and the fight could be less marketable than it is today.”
His views on whether Amir Khan’s loss against Lamont Peterson might put a fight between Amir Khan and Timothy Bradley in jeopardy:
“You know that’s unfortunate that he lost his title and that big fight went out the window. But I mean I’m sure he’ll bounce back because he has a big fan base and that’s the key. You know they will probably still wind up getting that fight on eventually, but it will probably have to wait until the end of next year.”
Regarding how disappointed he would be if he does not get the big opportunity he seeks with heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko in 2012:
“Well I’m going to have to keep grinding. You know what I’m saying? I’m going to have to just keep knocking people out and eventually they’ll get the picture. So I’m not going to stop because it’s delayed, but I’m not going to quit until I get my opportunity. I feel like I deserve it. I’m the biggest name in America right now competing even remotely near the heavyweight division. So that’s what it’s all about—name recognition. Like I said I made believers out of non-believers before, and that’s what it’s about. I don’t mind going in as the underdog. I went over to Australia as the underdog. I don’t know who was making those odds, but we flipped them again. Just when they think they got me counted out I always rise to the top. That’s just the way it is.”
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For those interested in listening to the Antonio Tarver interview in its entirety, it begins approximately one hour and forty-five minutes into the program.
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