Antonio Tarver

Antonio Tarver
Tarver with the IBO title, 2011
Statistics
Real name	Antonio Deon Tarver
Nickname(s)	The Magic Man
Rated at	Light heavyweight Cruiserweight Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Reach	75 in (191 cm)
Nationality	American
Born	(1968-11-21) November 21, 1968 Orlando, Florida, U.S.
Stance	Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights	39
Wins	31
Wins by KO	22
Losses	6
Draws	1
No contests	1
Medal record Men's amateur boxing Representing  United States Pan American Games Mar del Plata 1995 Light heavyweight World Championships Berlin 1995 Light heavyweight Olympic Games Atlanta 1996 Light heavyweight

Antonio Deon Tarver (born November 21, 1968) is an American professional boxer. He is a multiple-time light heavyweight world champion, having held the WBA (Super), WBC (twice), IBF (twice) and The Ring magazine titles (twice), as well the IBO light heavyweight (three times) and cruiserweight titles.

As an amateur, Tarver represented the United States at the 1996 Olympics, winning a bronze medal in the light heavyweight division; he eventually lost to Vassiliy Jirov, whom he had previously defeated at the 1995 World Championships to win gold. Tarver also triumphed at the 1995 Pan American Games and 1995 U.S. National Championships, winning gold in both. He remains the only boxer in history to have won gold at the Pan Am Games, World Championships and U.S. Nationals all in the same year.^[1]

Outside of boxing, Tarver starred as Mason "The Line" Dixon, the heavyweight champion in the 2006 film Rocky Balboa.

Professional career

Early years

Tarver made his professional debut at the age of 28 on February 18, 1997, with a second-round knockout of Joaquin Garcia at the legendary "Blue Horizon" in Philadelphia.

Tarver won his first 16 fights,14 by knockout, before stepping up his level of competition. After taking most of his first 16 fights in either his native Florida or at the "Blue Horizon", for his 11th fight he met veteran Rocky Gannon in Chester, West Virginia, on August 30, 1998. Tarver knocked out Gannon in the second round.

On February 29, 2000, Tarver scored a knockout against Ernest M-16 Mateen in Las Vegas. Later that year, Tarver suffered his first loss when he was knocked down in the 11th round by Eric Harding, en route to a unanimous decision on June 23 in Biloxi, Mississippi. This was an IBF title elimination bout, where the winner would face Roy Jones Jr.

In 2002, Tarver defeated former two-weight world champion Reggie Johnson by split decision to win the NABF & USBA light-heavyweight titles, and a guaranteed title shot at Roy Jones. He then scored a fifth round stoppage over Harding in a rematch that was on the undercard of the rematch between Shane Mosely and Vernon Forrest. Tarver was trailing on the scorecards until the 4th round, when he sent Harding to the canvas with a barrage of unanswered power shots; Harding was also floored twice in the 5th round, leading to the stoppage.

Winning the light-heavyweight titles

On April 26, 2003, Tarver received his first world title shot, when he faced former WBC champion Montel Griffin for the WBC & IBF light-heavyweight titles that had been vacated by Roy Jones Jr., who had gone on to defeat John Ruiz for the WBA heavyweight title the previous month. After dropping Griffin in the first and last rounds, Tarver was crowned champion after winning a unanimous decision.

Tarver vs Jones I & II

Next, rather than remain at heavyweight, Jones planned to return to light-heavyweight and regain his belts. Given little chance of winning, Tarver took a weight-drained Jones the distance and lost the fight and WBC title by a majority decision on November 8, 2003, in Las Vegas (Tarver had relinquished the IBF title a few days earlier in anticipation of being unable to make a mandatory defense.)^[2]

In a rematch on May 15, 2004 in Las Vegas, Tarver upset the odds to regain the WBC title and win the "WBA Super" title by knocking Jones out in the second round. In fifty previous fights, Jones had only been sent to the floor once, leaving most observers shocked at the result.

Rise in popularity

Tarver became a mainstream celebrity after his rematch win over Jones, making appearances at late-night shows, appearing on the cover of both Ring and KO Magazine, being spotted by television cameras as a spectator at various boxing fights, and co-hosting ESPN's "Friday Night Fights" for one telecast.

Tarver vs Johnson I & II

Later in 2004, the WBC decided to strip Tarver of the world title after he decided against fighting their mandatory challenger, instead choosing to fight IBF title holder Glen Johnson December 18 in Temecula, California; Tarver had already been removed as Super Champion by the WBA in their July rankings.^[3] Interestingly, Johnson himself had been stripped of his IBF title before the bout with Tarver for not fighting his mandatory challenger. Both fighters were celebrated for their decision to fight each other rather than bow to the pressure from what has become known as "The Alphabet Soup" sanctioning bodies (WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF).

Tarver, considered a favorite to win the fight, suffered an upset loss to Johnson by way of a split decision in a fight that he did not appear to be in top shape for. Tarver avenged the loss six months later with a unanimous decision, out-boxing and out-working the aggressive Johnson at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee to regain The Ring championship.

Rubber match against Jones

In their third fight, Tarver won a unanimous decision over Roy Jones Jr. on October 1, 2005 in Tampa, Florida, almost knocking Jones down in the 11th round but also finding himself in trouble at times during the fight.

Tarver vs Hopkins

On June 10, 2006, Tarver faced former undisputed world middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins for Tarver's The Ring title at The Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Hopkins, a 3-to-1 underdog, dominated the fight, outboxing Tarver to win a unanimous decision. The fight was scored 118–109 by all three judges. Tarver was knocked down in the 5th round. As a result of a clause in the fight contract, Tarver was forced to pay $250,000 to a charity of Hopkins' choice since he did not knock Hopkins out before the fifth round. Tarver's record would now stand at 24 wins and 4 losses, with 18 wins coming by way of knockout.

Return to the ring

Tarver returned to the ring nearly one year after his loss to Hopkins, defeating Albanian-fighter Elvir Muriqi on June 9, 2007 by way of a majority decision. In his next fight, held at Foxwoods Resort Casino on December 1, 2007, Tarver registered a win over Danny Santiago by way of a 4th round TKO.

Tarver then regained the IBF title by outpointing Clinton Woods.

Tarver vs Dawson I & II

On October 11, 2008, Tarver faced rising star Chad Dawson for Tarver's IBF title. The fight took place at Palms Casino in Las Vegas. Tarver lost the fight via unanimous decision, with wide margins of 118–109 and 117–110 (twice). The outcome was not disputed.

With the loss to Dawson, it was speculated that Tarver may choose to retire; however, he later announced that he and Dawson would meet in a rematch in March 2009.

A rematch with Dawson, originally announced for March 14, 2009, had to be postponed due to an injury suffered by Dawson. Finally, on May 9, the two fighters met at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas. Tarver, who came to the fight as a 5:1 underdog, again lost by unanimous decision.

Move up to heavyweight

Following the rematch loss to Dawson, Tarver took over a year off from the ring, before returning on 15 October 2010 to defeat Nagy Aguilera by 10 round unanimous decision in a bout that took place in the heavyweight division. For this fight Tarver officially weighed 221 lbs, some 46 lbs more than he had weighed for the Dawson rematch.

Cruiserweight

On 20 July 2011, Tarver took on Australian IBO cruiserweight champion Danny Green at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, in Tarver's debut in the 200 lb cruiserweight division.

Tarver dominated the fight, knocking Green down in the second round and controlling the majority of the action from there on in. After taking heavy punishment and being saved by the bell at the end of round 9, Green failed to come out for the start of round 10, allowing Tarver to take the victory and the title by TKO.^[4]

Failed drug test

Tarver reportedly tested positive for a banned anabolic steroid in his pre-fight urine sample prior to his fight with Kayode, with the tests' results only released publicly after the fight.

Tarver tested positive for a banned substance yet again in his pre-fight urine samples coming into the Cunningham bout, with the tests once again being released after the fight.

Media

Rocky Balboa

Tarver starred as heavyweight champion Mason "The Line" Dixon in the 2006 film Rocky Balboa. In the film the current, unpopular, champion Dixon fights former champion Rocky Balboa, who decides to come out of retirement. Dixon wins the match by split decision, and after breaking his hand in the second round of the bout but still managing to stand toe to toe with Rocky for the full 10 rounds, proves to doubters that he has the heart of a champion. The DVD of the movie offers an alternate ending, in which Rocky wins the split decision. Dixon's record before the fight is 33-0 (30 KO). Also on the DVD, the film's writer and director Sylvester Stallone wanted to cast a real boxer in the role of Dixon, as he thought it would be easier to teach a boxer how to act than to teach an actor how to box convincingly. In an August 18, 2010 interview with Stallone on The Howard Stern Show, the director indicated that Tarver refused to film his scene after the MGM had been rented out and filled with people already incurring high costs. In order to get the filming done, Stallone gave Tarver a cut of his own salary and points on the back end which resulted in Stallone making no money on the film.^[5]

Commentating with Showtime

After his loss to Dawson and up to his failed drug test in June, 2012, Tarver served as a boxing analyst for Showtime Championship Boxing.

Amateur career

• 1993 and 1995 United States amateur Light Heavyweight champion.
• 1994 National Golden Gloves Light Heavyweight champion
• Won the Light Heavyweight bronze medal for the United States at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. His results were:
• Defeated Dmitry Vybornov (Russia) 5–2
• Defeated David Kowah (Sierra Leone) RSC 1 (2:43)
• Defeated Enrique Flores (Mexico) RSC 3 (1:54)
• Lost to Vassiliy Jirov (Kazakhstan) 9–15

Professional boxing record

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
39	Draw	31–6–1 (1)	Steve Cunningham	SD	12	Aug 14, 2015	Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
38	Win	31–6 (1)	Johnathon Banks	TKO	7 (10), 2:25	Dec 11, 2014	Pechanga Resort and Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.
37	Win	30–6 (1)	Mike Sheppard	TKO	4 (10), 1:54	Nov 26, 2013	BB&T Center, Sunrise, Florida, U.S.	Won WBA–NABA interim heavyweight title
36	NC	29–6 (1)	Lateef Kayode	SD	12	Jun 2, 2012	Home Depot Center, Carson, California, U.S.	Retained IBO cruiserweight title; Originally an SD, later ruled an NC after Tarver failed a drug test
35	Win	29–6	Danny Green	RTD	9 (12), 3:00	Jul 20, 2011	Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia	Won IBO cruiserweight title
34	Win	28–6	Nagy Aguilera	UD	12	Oct 15, 2010	Buffalo Run Casino, Miami, Oklahoma, U.S.
33	Loss	27–6	Chad Dawson	UD	12	May 9, 2009	Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	For IBF and IBO light heavyweight titles
32	Loss	27–5	Chad Dawson	UD	12	Oct 11, 2008	Palms Casino Resort, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Lost IBF and IBO light heavyweight titles
31	Win	27–4	Clinton Woods	UD	12	Apr 12, 2008	St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida, U.S.	Retained IBO light heavyweight title; Won IBF light heavyweight title
30	Win	26–4	Danny Santiago	TKO	4 (12), 2:53	Dec 1, 2007	Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.	Retained IBO light heavyweight title
29	Win	25–4	Elvir Muriqi	MD	12	Jun 9, 2007	Convention Center, Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.	Won vacant IBO light heavyweight title
28	Loss	24–4	Bernard Hopkins	UD	12	Jun 10, 2006	Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.	Lost IBO and The Ring light heavyweight titles
27	Win	24–3	Roy Jones Jr.	UD	12	Oct 1, 2005	St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida, U.S.	Retained IBO and The Ring light heavyweight titles
26	Win	23–3	Glen Johnson	UD	12	Jun 18, 2005	FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.	Won IBO and The Ring light heavyweight titles
25	Loss	22–3	Glen Johnson	SD	12	Dec 18, 2004	Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Lost IBO and The Ring light heavyweight titles
24	Win	22–2	Roy Jones Jr.	TKO	2 (12), 1:41	May 15, 2004	Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Won WBA (Super), WBC, IBO, IBA, The Ring, and vacant WBF light heavyweight titles
23	Loss	21–2	Roy Jones Jr.	MD	12	Nov 8, 2003	Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Lost WBC light heavyweight title; For WBA (Super), IBO, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
22	Win	21–1	Montell Griffin	UD	12	Apr 26, 2003	Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.	Won vacant WBC and IBF light heavyweight titles
21	Win	20–1	Eric Harding	TKO	5 (12), 0:43	Jul 20, 2002	Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
20	Win	19–1	Reggie Johnson	SD	12	Jan 25, 2002	Ramada Plaza O'Hare, Rosemont, Illinois, U.S.	Won NABF and USBA light heavyweight titles
19	Win	18–1	Chris Johnson	KO	10 (10), 1:53	Aug 3, 2001	Yakama Legends Casino, Toppenish, Washington, U.S.
18	Win	17–1	Lincoln Carter	TKO	5 (10), 1:22	Feb 24, 2001	Ice Palace, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
17	Loss	16–1	Eric Harding	UD	12	Jun 23, 2000	Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
16	Win	16–0	Ernest Mateen	KO	1 (10), 0:56	Feb 29, 2000	Plaza Hotel & Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
15	Win	15–0	Mohamed Benguesmia	TKO	9 (10), 0:51	Oct 2, 1999	Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
14	Win	14–0	Jerry Williams	TKO	5 (10)	Jun 12, 1999	Aleppo Shriners Auditorium, Wilmington, Massachusetts, U.S.
13	Win	13–0	Roy Francis	TKO	3 (10)	Mar 27, 1999	Jai Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, U.S.
12	Win	12–0	John Williams	KO	4 (12), 0:42	Feb 5, 1999	Jai Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, U.S.
11	Win	11–0	Rocky Gannon	TKO	2 (10), 2:28	Aug 30, 1998	Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort, Chester, West Virginia, U.S.
10	Win	10–0	Jose Luis Rivera	RTD	4 (10), 3:00	Jun 23, 1998	The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
9	Win	9–0	Charles Oliver	UD	8	Mar 24, 1998	Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, U.S.
8	Win	8–0	Boyer Chew	TKO	7 (8), 2:17	Jan 17, 1998	Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
7	Win	7–0	Roy Francis	TKO	2 (6), 2:03	Dec 2, 1997	The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
6	Win	6–0	Benito Fernandez	TKO	3 (6)	Oct 28, 1997	The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
5	Win	5–0	Berry Butler	UD	6	Oct 4, 1997	Circus Maximus Showroom, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
4	Win	4–0	Shelby Gross	TKO	1 (4), 2:59	Aug 12, 1997	The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
3	Win	3–0	Tracy Barrios	TKO	3 (6)	Jun 21, 1997	Sun Dome, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
2	Win	2–0	Jason Burrell	TKO	3 (4), 0:22	Apr 29, 1997	The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
1	Win	1–0	Joaquin Garcia	TKO	2 (4), 2:01	Feb 18, 1997	The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.	Professional debut

Titles in boxing

References

External links

• Official Antonio Tarver website
• Professional boxing record for Antonio Tarver from BoxRec