LONDON (8 Nov) – Rising star Mikey Garcia’s battle with WBO super-featherweight world champion Roman Martinez this weekend will act as the appetiser before BoxNation’s incredible festive fight feast.

The world’s best boxing channel kicks-off what will be a mouth-watering next couple of months with the fight games biggest cards set to be featured live and exclusive all the way until Christmas, starting with Saturday night’s Texas showdown.

‘The Filipino Flash’ Nonito Donaire is also set to make his return on the bill against old foe Vic Darchinyan, following his defeat against Cuban kingpin Guillermo Rigondeaux last April.

The main event, though, sees Garcia, the undefeated former WBO featherweight world champion, move up to the 130 pound weight class with the aim of capturing his second title against the skilled ‘Rocky’ Martinez.

Having been stripped of his featherweight crown on the scales, after failing to make the weight against Juan Manuel Lopez in his last bout, Garcia is determined to bounce back and regain his place amongst boxing’s elite.

“I was very sad. I worked very hard to get that title – I waited over two years in line to get that title shot and to not be able to defend and to lose it on the scale – it was hard,” said Garcia.

“As we were walking down the elevator and through the hallways going to the weigh-in knowing that I was no longer champion – I just tried to move forward and do the best that I could,” he said.

The 25-year-old fighting out of Oxnard, California is well aware it’s not going to be an easy ride against Martinez, who has only lost one bout out of 30, that coming in a narrow points decision against Scotland’s Ricky Burns.

“He’s very tough, very durable,” said Garcia. “He’s one of the most resilient guys out there. He is a world champion and he’s not going to let that title slip out of his hands easily. He’s going to fight very hard to keep that title. That’s why I think it’s going to be a very good fight for me,” he added.

“I am not only moving up in weight but I am fighting a world champion in Rocky Martinez and we are doing all the things necessary to be in the best shape possible to be prepared for Rocky Martinez,” Garcia said.

Martinez goes into the bout having beaten undefeated prospect Diego Magdaleno and is confident he will similarly hand Garcia his first loss.

“I know that he is an intelligent guy, very smart and he knows how to throw his punches together and that’s why we trained so hard – to be ready for anything. I think I can take his punches. I think I have proven myself that I am able to take punches. So it is a question of just being ready and being at my best,” Martinez said.

“I should be the favourite. I am the champion and I am naturally the bigger guy. I am strong and I prepared myself well and I believe I am going to win this fight because of that,” he said.

Following BoxNation’s airing of Martinez vs. Garcia, the ‘Channel of Champions’ will be showing the following events live and exclusive: Maldonado Jr. vs. Ramos Jr – Golden Boy Live! (Nov 11), Sergey Rabchenko vs. Cedric Vitu (Nov 16), Andre Ward vs. Edwin Rodriguez (Nov 16), Manny Pacquiao vs. Brandon Rios (Nov 23), Antonio Tarver vs. Mike Sheppard (Nov 26), Copper Box Arena show featuring Dereck Chisora and Nathan Cleverly (Nov 30), Paul Smith vs. Luke Blackledge (Dec 7), Paulie Malignaggi vs. Zab Judah (Dec 7), Guillermo Rigondeaux vs. Joseph Agbeko (Dec 7), Juergen Braehmer vs. Marcus Oliveira (Dec 14), Adrien Broner vs. Marcos Maidana (Dec 14) and Stuart Hall vs. Vusi Malinga (Dec 21).

In addition to this mammoth lineup BoxNation will also be showing the award winning 24/7 series as it delves into the camps of Manny Pacquiao and Brandon Rios. The UK premiere of Episode 1 will be on Wednesday Nov 13th at 9pm, followed by Episode 2 on Wednesday Nov 20th at 9pm and Episode 3 on Friday 22nd Nov at 9pm.

Fight fans can get all this for just £10 a month (plus a one-off £10 registration fee). Visit www.boxnation.com to subscribe.

Martinez vs. Garcia is live from 1.30am this Sunday morning on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546). Visit www.boxnation.com to subscribe.

-Ends-
About BoxNation
BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated subscription boxing channel. For £10* a month and no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.

BoxNation is proud to support Fight for Peace, a charity that uses boxing and martial arts combined with education and personal development to realise the potential of young people in communities that suffer from crime and violence. Buy LUTA (www.luta.co.uk) clothing and support Fight for Peace.

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Khan vs Diaz and Mayweather vs Alvarez.

The channel is available on Sky (ch 437), Virgin (ch 546), online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android.

BoxNation is also available to commercial premises (inc. pubs, clubs and casino’s) in the UK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

*Plus £10 one off registration fee for Sky TV and new Livesport.tv customers

SUNRISE, FLORIDA (October 14) – Boxing’s popular new fight series Golden Boy Live! is back at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fla. on Tuesday, November 26 with a stacked card featuring the return of former World Champion Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver facing West Virginia veteran Mike Sheppard in the 10 round main event which will be televised on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. Also, featured on the card will be the Golden Boy Promotions debut of undefeated Cuban heavyweight star Luis “El Mercedez” Ortiz against a fighter to be announced in the co-featured fight that will get Florida fight fans up and cheering from bell to bell.

“I’m looking forward to getting back into the ring and showing the world that the ‘Magic Man’ is better than ever and ready for the big fights,” said Tarver. “This is the perfect opportunity to make a statement at home and I can’t wait.”

“Beating someone like Antonio Tarver would be career-altering for me,” said Sheppard. “I know what he’s accomplished in the sport, but I’m hungry for this and you’re going to see the best Mike Sheppard yet.”

“I have not fought here in Florida in almost two years and this is what my fans have been waiting for,” said Ortiz. “It’s going to be a big night in Florida and I will be looking for a knockout.”

Tarver vs. Sheppard is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and O’Reilly Auto Parts. The BB&T Center doors open at 7:00 p.m. ET and the first bell rings at 8:00 p.m. ET. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes bi-lingual simulcast will air live at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets priced at $150 (VIP Tables), $75, $50, $40 and $25, not including applicable service charges, are on sale now and available for purchase at all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling (800) 745-3000, online at http://www.ticketmaster.com and at the BB&T Center box office.

A 1996 Olympic Bronze medalist for the United States, Lutz, Florida’s Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (29-6, 20 KO’s) is one of the premier fighters of this era, having dominated the light heavyweight division with his signature wins over Roy Jones Jr., Glen Johnson, Eric Harding and Clinton Woods. Now looking for another world title at heavyweight, the southpaw is prepared to take on and beat all comers.

A 16-year pro, Palestine, West Virginia’s Mike Sheppard (21-15-1, 9 KO’s) has the veteran experience needed to beat a fighter like Tarver, as he will not be intimidated by any foe in the ring. Winner of six of his last nine bouts, including an August victory over Justin Novaria, Sheppard is amped up to score the upset and get a career-defining win.

Owner of nearly 350 amateur wins, Cuba native Luis “El Mercedez” Ortiz (19-0, 16 KO’s) is on the fast track to the top of the heavyweight division and the next step on his journey takes place on November 26. Now making his home in Miami, the 34-year-old southpaw has won 10 fights in three rounds or less and another quick finish will be just what his fans want to see.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.thebbtcenter.com,
follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/AntonioTarver,
www.twitter.com/thebbtcenter and follow the conversation using #GoldenBoyLive, become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page and visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing. For more information on FOX Sports 1 visit www.FOXSports.com/FOXSports1 and become a follower on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FOXSports, www.twitter.com/FOXSports1 www.twitter.com/FOXSportsPR and www.twitter.com/FOXDeportes.

INDIO, CALIF. (Nov. 9, 2012) – The transition from amateur to professional in sports is a rite of passage for nearly all athletes who earn pay for play. For many Olympic athletes, however, there is added pressure due to real or perceived expectations of them as professionals. Such is the case with Olympic boxers the world over who don’t have the luxury of turning professional in low-profile fights.

Those high expectations come with good reason as from the 1976 Olympics through the 2004 Games, 41 percent of U.S. Olympic boxers went on to win at least one world title as a professional.

On the eve of “Night of Olympians” tonight/Friday, Nov. 9, on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif.), six past U.S. Olympians, all of whom would become world champions, looked back at their pro debuts and their mindsets going into those fights.

Here’s what Oscar De La Hoya, Howard Davis, Raul Marquez, Russell, Jr., Antonio Tarver and Andre Ward had to say:

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, Gold Medalist, 1992

(Pro debut: De La Hoya registered three knockdowns en route to a 42 second, first-round knockout win over Lamar Williams at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, Calif. on Nov. 23, 1992.)

“Because I was a fighter who was brought up fighting as a professional-type style I was actually really looking forward to my pro debut. I’d been sparring and training with pros like Joey Olivo and Paul Gonzales since I was 13, so I wasn’t nervous at all. Actually, I couldn’t wait. Just the fact I would be wearing eight-ounce gloves without headgear for the first time excited me.

“Once I got that first fight out of the way, I knew I was on my way.”

HOWARD DAVIS, Gold Medalist, 1976

(Pro debut: Davis outpointed Jose Resto over six rounds at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas on Jan. 15, 1977.)

“The fight was nationally televised. I was disappointed because I wanted to fight in front of my hometown fans at the Nassau Coliseum. Ray Leonard got to turn pro in front of his hometown fans. Instead, the fight was in Vegas, and only a couple of hundred, maybe 500 fans showed up.

“I was very nervous and the nerves didn’t go away until my second pro fight, but I beat him silly every round and didn’t let him hit me. He had no neck, and every time I hit him, I felt like I was breaking my hand.”

RAUL MARQUEZ, 1992

(Pro debut: Marquez stopped Rafael Rezzaq in the fourth round at the HemisFair Arena in San Antonio, Texas on Oct. 3, 1992.)

“It was a big night for me. There was pressure because I was supposed to be one of the U.S. Olympians who would go on to win a world title. I was nervous, but I was nervous before every fight. There were a lot of friends and family from Houston and Mexico there.

“I fought a tough guy. I kept knocking him down and he kept getting up. I don’t even remember how many knockdowns I scored. I’ll tell you this, he was much tougher than I had expected for an Olympian making his pro debut.

“One thing I definitely remember: Lou Duva threw me a party afterward at Mi Tierra, a famous restaurant in San Antonio. There was a mariachi band and everything.”

GARY RUSSELL JR., 2008

(Pro debut: Russell scored a third-round TKO over Antonio Reyes at the Million Dollar Elm Casino in Tulsa, Okla., on Jan. 16, 2009)

“My pro debut was in Oklahoma on ShoBox and I remember being excited and a little bit anxious. I had the opportunity to start all over again. I felt like I was having my first amateur fight and it was exciting to do something for the first time.

“My opponent was wearing a suit at the press conference and I remember thinking that wasn’t going to help him in the ring at all. I had full confidence in my ability to beat him.”

ANDRE WARD, Gold Medalist, 2004

(Pro debut: Ward knocked out Chris Molina in the second round on Dec. 18, 2004 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.)

“I was more anxious than nervous. It was STAPLES Center, on the undercard of Antonio Tarver-Glen Johnson. My fight was televised on premium cable. There were huge expectations and I had a lot to prove even though I had won the gold medal. I also had to prove to myself I could take a shot as a pro.

“I had an absolute wild man on the other side of the ring. Molina wanted to prove I born with a silver spoon in my mouth. He was throwing bombs, head-butting and yelling at me during the fight. I just had to stay in the moment. I hit him some good shots and he quit.”

(Note: Molina, who was 2-0 going in, never fought again.)

ANTONIO TARVER, 1996

(Pro debut: Tarver scored a second-round knockout over Joaquin Garcia at the Blue Horizon in Philadelphia on Feb. 8, 1997.)

“I didn’t know what to expect. You take off the headgear, you put on the little gloves. There were a lot of butterflies. It was like starting over. All jitters and I was fighting on national TV on ‘Tuesday Night Fights,’ and at the Blue Horizon, which had a tough, educated crowd. I just wanted to be perfect.

“I was 28 and a lot of people thought I was too old to be turning pro. I fought an undefeated guy who had a good chin. I was so anxious; I don’t know if I did everything I wanted to do, but I still got the award for Knockout of the Night.”

# # #

In tonight’s ShoBox main event, talented unbeaten featherweight contender and 2008 United States Olympian Gary Russell Jr. (20-0, 12 KOs) of Capitol Heights, Md., will face Roberto Castaneda (20-2-1, 15 KOs) in a 10-round bout.

The five 2012 U.S. Olympians – heavyweight Dominic Breazeale, of Anaheim, Calif., cruiserweight Marcus Browne, of Staten Island, N.Y., super middleweight Terrell Gausha, of Cleveland, Ohio, junior middleweight Errol Spence, of Desotol, Texas, and bantamweight Rau’Shee Warren, of Cincinnati, Ohio – will box in four-round pro debut fights.

Breazeale takes on Curtis Tate (4-3, 4 KO’s), of Oakland, Tenn., Browne will meet Codale Ford (2-0), of Fort Gibson, Okla., Gausha will face Dustin Caplinger (2-3, 1 KO) of Chillicothe, Ohio, Spence will be opposed by Jonathan Garcia (3-3, 1 KO), of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, and Warren collides with Luis Rivera of Ponce, Puerto Rico (1-2).

The event is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT with the first live fight at 5:30 p.m.

Tickets priced at $25, $35 and $45 are available at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.fantasyspringsresort.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/mrgaryrusselljr, www.twitter.com/BreazealeBoxing, www.twitter.com/MarcusBrowne, www.twitter.com/TerrellGausha, www.twitter.com/ErrolSpenceJr, www.twitter.com/RauSheeWarren,www.twitter.com/fantasysprings or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/fantasyspringsresort.

For information on SHOWTIME, visit http://Sports.SHO.com, www.twitter.com/SHOsports or www.facebook.com/ShoBoxing.

The California athletic commission upheld the one-year suspension of former Light Heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver after his failed drug test for his June 2nd draw with Lateef Kayode according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“The Commission heard both sides of the issue and upheld Mr. Tarver’s suspension,” wrote Kathi Burns, the interim executive officer of the commission, to ESPN.com in an email. “I think the commission’s actions speak for itself. It’s well known that the commission has among the toughest anti-doping standards in the world, and that we have zero tolerance for doping.”

“I really am surprised they didn’t shorten the suspension,” Tarver told ESPN.com. “I can’t explain why it was in my system because I don’t know why it was in my system. But I know I’ve never taken any steroids. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.”

“I’ve been through a lot and this has been a very tough time,” Tarver said. “This is the lowest point of my boxing career. But I have never used steroids and I am holding onto that and holding onto my innocence.

“I am not mad at the commission. I was hoping they would reduce my suspension but they got a job to do, which is to protect the sport the way they know how. So I’m not angry at anyone. But I can’t prove how it got in my system. I know I didn’t intentionally or knowingly take something but I got to prove that fact. The burden of proof is on me and I accept that.”

“My doctor knows how I feel about taking shortcuts, so we never did any of that,” Tarver said. “I will take my suspension like a man. But I looked the commission in their eyes and told them I was innocent and they voted 4-1 to uphold it. So I’m out a year. Maybe I should go ahead and retire. I was in a transition period anyway. I wanted one or two more fights and then ride off into the sunset because I know there ain’t no turning back the hands of time. But this is a very dark cloud over me and my career and it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.”

“I had the Olympic commentating position locked down and was enjoying my role with Showtime,” said Tarver, a 1996 U.S. Olympic bronze medalist and one of America’s most decorated amateurs.

“Now everything is all up in the air. It’s what (Showtime) decides to do. They haven’t told me anything. The network is bigger than me. I can’t control the network. But I’ve never been told I’ve been fired.

“Showtime supports me and they want to see me get through this, but I don’t know if that means I will ever be back on the air. They have to make a decision based on the interest of the network. But I miss it, I really do. I miss boxing period. I’m ready to get back but maybe it’s retirement.”

“I started training just in case we had some good news (Monday),” said Tarver, whose biggest wins were his two defeats of Roy Jones Jr., including a second-round knockout to win the light heavyweight championship in May 2004 in the second bout of their trilogy. “I’m going to train just so I can be in the best shape I can be in even if I am not training for a fight. So there is a possibility I could come back. I try to look at this positively, like it’s a minor setback for a major comeback. I got to look at all the options out there.

“I can’t get licensed in America but I don’t think it would be a problem anywhere else. I got to sit down and talk to (adviser) Al (Haymon) about that and see if that’s something we want to do. Right now, it’s right after the (commission) meeting and I’m filled with emotions and I just don’t know.”

Former Light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver was suspended after a drug test following his draw with Lateef Kayode on June 2nd came up positive.

“That is correct. Mr. Tarver tested positive for a banned substance,” George Dodd, the executive officer of the California commission, told ESPN.com.

Dodd said the commission has suspended Tarver — who earned $1 million for the fight — and fined him $2,500.

“We had a brief conversation and he said that the commission had gotten back the drug test results and that Tarver’s was dirty,” said Kayode’s manager Steve Feder. “I didn’t know the substance at the time and they were notifying the people they had to notify, so I felt like I had to give the commission time to do their job and that I wouldn’t say anything until I got the confirmation of the drug.”

“Mr. Tarver has the right to appeal the suspension and view the opening of the ‘B’ sample and the analyzing of the ‘B’ sample,” Dodd said.

Also, Andre Berto tested positive for the steroid norandrosterone last month, forcing his rematch against fellow former welterweight titlist Victor Ortiz, which was scheduled for Saturday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, to be canceled. The card is going ahead with Ortiz facing substitute opponent Josesito Lopez.

Ironically, Tarver is scheduled to work the card as a Showtime analyst. The network has not yet decided whether he will remain on the telecast.

“We have no comment at this point,” Showtime spokesman Chris DeBlasio told ESPN.com.

“We were taking pictures together and having a good time and then I get this news. It’s crazy,” Feder said. “Why would a guy do this? Why would he tarnish a stellar career? I’ve been a fan of his. And he has this great job with Showtime (as an analyst). I have to say I shake my head and say, ‘Why would he jeopardize this?’

“I want to believe somebody influenced Tarver to do this and that he would know better because I don’t want to believe he would initiate this. It’s still his fault though and he has to take the blame for it, but I actually feel bad for him. I feel bad for my fighter as well.”

“I told Lateef and he said, ‘Oh, man, I can’t believe it.’ He was shocked and then he started thinking, ‘I wonder if that’s how he came on late like he did? Maybe that’s what the drug was and he was able to come on late.’ Lateef said maybe it started to kick in because he said he didn’t really feel anything on Tarver’s punches earlier in the fight and then he really started to come on. He had this energy or something. Maybe that was the steroid?”

TAMPA, FL, May 2 – With the training camp for his June 2nd SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING main event against unbeaten Lateef Kayode heating up, former light heavyweight champion and current IBO Cruiserweight champion Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver took time out from his busy schedule to check in with his thoughts on another high-profile matchup – the May 5th meeting between Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto,

“I think that Mayweather’s coming in with all the natural God-given ability and talent, and Cotto comes in with the physical game,” said Tarver, who also doubles as a ringside analyst for SHOWTIME. “But we’ve seen Cotto beat, and beaten bad on two occasions. He was outclassed against (Manny) Pacquiao, and he took a beating against (Antonio) Margarito. We haven’t seen that with Floyd Mayweather yet. I think he (Mayweather) is at the top of the game right now, and he’s gonna have more options to do the things that he does in the ring.”

Yet despite the odds, Tarver doesn’t count the 154-pound world champion from Puerto Rico out against the unbeaten “Money” Mayweather, even though he believes Cotto will have to throw the boxing equivalent of a perfect game in Las Vegas.

“Cotto’s gonna have to be perfect,” said Tarver, who upset 5 to 1 odds in his most recent bout, knocking out Danny Green in the ninth round last July. “Cotto’s gonna have to be physical, have his defense intact, and he’s gonna have to match Floyd. When Floyd opens up, he’s gonna have to punch with him. That’s how you negate speed, and that’s a big risk, but his reward is so gigantic that’s he’s gonna have to be willing to lay it all on the line and if has to go out on his shield, go out trying to get that victory.”

As for Mayweather, Tarver is looking forward to seeing what his teammate on the 1996 United States Olympic boxing team has in store, not just on May 5th, but in the future.

“Floyd’s gonna have to keep doing what he’s doing, and in two or three more fights, he can ride out into the sunset,” he said. “Hopefully Pacquiao’s in the scheme of things and we can see that fight eventually. That would be great if he could pull that off. If he beats Pacquiao, he’s one of the greatest of all-time and not too many people can say that.”

The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calf., hosts a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING quadruple header on Saturday, June 2 (9:00 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

Current IBO Cruiserweight Champion and former Light Heavyweight World Champion Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (29-6, 20 KO’s) faces unbeaten Lateef Kayode (18-0, 14 KO’s) in a

12-round cruiserweight fight. In the co-feature, former undisputed junior middleweight kingpin Winky Wright (51-5-1, 25 KO’s) returns to the ring to meet undefeated Peter Quillin (26-0, 20 KO’s) in

a middleweight bout. In two world championship fights on the telecast, Austin Trout (24-0, 14 KO’s) risks his perfect record and WBA Super Welterweight belt against Delvin Rodriguez (26-5-3, 14 KO’s) and IBF number one rated bantamweight contender Vusi Malinga (20-3, 12 KO’s) faces top Golden Boy Promotions prospect and IBF number five rated contender Leo Santa Cruz (19-0-1, 11 KO’s) for the vacant IBF bantamweight title.

Tickets for the June 2 bout are on sale now and are available as low as $25, with VIP floor seats priced at $200. Other tickets in the 8,000-seat outdoor stadium at The Home Depot Center are available at $50 and $100. Fans can purchase tickets at www.axs.com or by phone at 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849, as well as The Home Depot Center Box Office (open Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PT). VIP Suites are available for purchase by calling 1-877-604-8777. For more information on group discounts or VIP packages, please call 1-877-234-8425.

This night of world class professional boxing is presented by A.T. Entertainment, Golden Boy Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. Trout vs. Rodriguez is presented in association with Greg Cohen Promotions and Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and Malinga vs. Santa Cruz presented in association with Branco Sports Productions.

PHILADELPHIA(April 25, 2012)—After many months of disregarding and downplaying a potential bout with former two-time IBF Cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham, former Light Heavyweight world champion Antonio Tarver has finally stepped up to the plate, well sort of.

For the past several months, Cunningham & Tarver have been going back in forth on twitter but whenever the prospect of a fight gets brought up, Tarver has had one excuse after another and then Tarver took a June 2nd fight with little known Lateef Kayode.

Well finally Tarver, has acknowledged that a fight with Cunningham would be a meaningful one and has said a fight with Cunningham could happen if Cunningham could get support of the fans to tune in by garnering 20,000 twitter followers.

Team Cunningham decided to step up to the challenge and has launched a twitter campaign titled, “Can Twitter Make A Fight?- @USSvsMagicMan”. This social media experiment will see if twitter is a powerful enough tool to get this fight made with the support of 20,000 boxing fans. The team acknowledges that this is a tall order given the lack of attention the cruiserweight division gets in the states, but they feel that if fans want to see a good fight, this should not matter.

When asked about the prospect of this fight happening, Cunningham said, “This is a fight I have wanted for the longest and Tarver has made up many excuses to not make it happen. I was honestly ready to move on from the idea, but he made the challenge and me and my team are crazy enough to call him on it. Following @USSvsMagicMan is not about being a fan of mine or Tarver’s it’s about being a fan of boxing and wanting to see a good fight and taking action to get it made”.

Boxing fans are now asked to simply follow @USSvsMagicMan and when the number soars to the magic number of 20,000 then this important fight can and will happen.

Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin will take on former Jr. Middleweight champion Winky Wright on May 26th on Showtime as the co-feature of the Antonio Tarver – Lateef Kayode Cruiserweight battle according to espn.com’s Dan Rafael.

Wright will be coming back after a three year layoff

“They’re both in. I don’t have it signed yet but both sides have agreed to it,” said Golden Boy Promotions Richard Schaefer.

“I think it’s a fascinating matchup,” Schaefer said. “With Winky Wright, you have one of the biggest names in the sport and for him to come back and not take some sort of a tune-up fight, but to go into a fight with one of the top rated guys at 160 pounds in Peter Quillin, it just shows you Winky is serious about giving it another run.

“For Peter Quillin, it’s the most dangerous and biggest fight of his career. For both sides it’s a very intriguing and interesting matchup.”

“I’m super excited about the fight,” Quillin said. “I want to get closer to fighting good fighters and making some good paydays. I will put loads of leather on his ass, make sure every punch lands and that none are wasted. Or I will be the better boxer against Winky Wright. I don’t fight just one way. My job is to train to destroy him. No other way around it.”

“I think he’s a perfect opponent for Winky coming back after being off for a long time,” said Damian Ramirez, Wright’s adviser, who added that he was still waiting to see a draft of an agreement from Golden Boy. “I just feel that it’s a good opportunity for Winky to make a statement with because, with all due respect to ‘Kid Chocolate,’ his best opponent is not on the same level of Winky’s worst opponent. But I take nothing away from the kid. He’s young and strong.”

“This is not a tune-up fight,” Schaefer said. “It’s a serious fight. Winky knows what’s at stake. If he beats a guy like ‘Kid Chocolate,’ then he is back. And he is a big name and he basically wants to use this fight to start the final chapter of the Winky Wright story. He let his body rest, he’s been out for awhile and he is coming back in a meaningful fight.

“But if Peter Quillin can put Winky’s name on his resume that is a big win for him. I think whoever wins this fight will certainly come out as a bigger name in the 160-pound weight class. I really don’t know who is going to win.”

Said Quillin, “Richard was right about Winky being a name on my record. This fight right here gets me closer to a world title. I respect Winky Wright. He has not taken a lot of punishment in his career, but stepping into the ring with me, he will take a lot of punishment. I don’t have nothing to worry about other than to go in there and be the best I can be. If Winky thinks the same way then it will be a good fight for the fans and that’s what I want to give to the boxing fans.

“I’m just looking forward to getting in the ring with Winky Wright and it will be my pleasure to tangle with him. He’ll be a good name for my record.”

“If Winky Wright is the only guy right now to give me exposure, fine,” Quillin said. “That’s all I’m worried about. I want to make some money, I want to win the title, so what I want to do is when Golden Boy or (adviser) Al (Haymon) call me I just want to be ready. That’s my job.”

Former Light Heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver will take on top cruiserweight contender Lateef Kayode on May 26th on Showtime according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“The date is locked in and Lateef Kayode and me will be a good fight,” Tarver said. “People will see what I’m doing at 43 and realize that age is nothing but a number. Kayode is a fight I’d like to have. I will be in great, great shape, show my boxing ability, and I should be able to win that fight.”

“It’s very close to being done,” Kayode’s promoter Gary Shaw told ESPN.com. “Kayode will have to be at his best to beat Tarver. He is a big puncher, but has not looked sharp in his last few outings. Tarver is a very smart fighter with lots of tools in his arsenal. He could very well give Kayode a boxing lesson. But should (Tarver) decide to trade, it will be very interesting.

Tarver was critical of Kayode’s performance in a decision victory against Nick Ianuzzi in February 2011, a fight many thought Ianuzzi won.

“He took offense to my commentary in that fight with Ianuzzi. He said he thought I didn’t like him and that I wasn’t calling his fight right,” Tarver said. “I told him I called it like I saw it and said the things he could improve on. I said my job as an announcer is to call things as I see them and he took offense to what I said. I heard later that he called me out on some video on YouTube. Well be careful what you ask for and never disrespect your elders. He should have learned that by now.”

“As he (Kayode) has moved up the ladder with his competition, he has struggled, but we won’t take anyone lightly,” Tarver said. “I feel I would have to be the favorite in the fight.”

“He’s a power puncher and very aggressive, and I’m sure Freddie (Roach) will have him at his best and formulate a plan to beat me. My job is to make sure it doesn’t work,” Tarver said. “I’m excited to get back on center stage and show that I am still relevant.”

“We rushed into that heavyweight situation,” Tarver said. “If I ever do it again, I’ll do it the right way. I love cruiserweight. I feel like I can knock out every cruiserweight because I’m too big and strong with my speed and power in this division. I feel like I could break down any cruiserweight in the world. I was not in the best shape for Aguilera and it showed, but I was still able to outbox him.”

“My goal is to be heavyweight champion, but if I have to take two more fights at cruiserweight and then be ready for the heavyweight division by the end of the year, that is what I will do,” Tarver said. “And when I am back at heavyweight I will not be the heavyweight you saw against Aguilera. I will be a lean, mean punching machine. First cruiserweight. I’m in the twilight of my career and I need to stay busy. If I could squeeze in three fights this year, it would be a blessing.

“Most of the cruiserweights who have gone on been successful at heavyweight have impressive stays at cruiser. If you can’t beat the best cruiserweights in the world you’re kidding yourself about beating the best at heavyweight. I just need to get comfortable where I can be strong and make these cruiserweights feel my power, and then do the same with the heavyweights.”

PHILADELPHIA (July 21, 2011)—Reigning IBF Cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham watched yesterday’s fight that saw Antonio Tarver score a ninth round stoppage over IBO champion Danny Green in Australia.

“I would like to congratulate Tarver on going down there and winning the belt. It takes a lot to go to another man’s home country to win a championship”, said Cunningham, who is known as boxing’s ultimate visitor as he has gone all over the world to both win and defend his world championship.

“With you winning the belt and my status as being the best American and top Cruiserweight in the world, I think it would be a great opportunity for us to fight to show the fans in this country that the cruiserweight division has some terrific fights to offer.”

“This is a fight that I know the American networks would get behind and with what we both bring to the table it would be a great fight. Everybody recognizes me as the top dog in the division and if Antonio wants to legitimize himself as the top cruiserweight in the world, I think he knows deep down he has to go through me to prove it.

Former Light Heavyweight champion turned Heavyweight turned Cruiserweight Antonio Tarver talks Froch- Johnson and his upcoming fight with Danny Green

It was a major surprise late last year when it was announced that Glen Johnson 51-14-2(35) would be a late addition to the Super Six, his inclusion only came because other fighters fell out of the tournament through various injury’s. He scored a dominant win over Allen Green to progress to the Semi Finals where he will now meet Carl Froch for the Englishman’s WBC Super Middleweight title. He’ll be the underdog, but that’s nothing new to the affable Jamaican, it’s a role he’s used to and relishes the chance to shock the world again. He started his career brightly back in 1993 going an impressive 32-0(22) before he ran into a certain Bernard Hopkins and unsuccessfully challenged for Hopkins Middleweight title. After that setback he slipped into journeyman status going 7-8-1 before getting a shot at the Vacant IBF Light Heavyweight title in England against Clinton Woods. Though many believed he should of won it was declared a draw. He returned 3 months later to right the previous wrong and set up for a clash with Roy Jones Jnr. Many believed he was just cannon fodder against the unworldly talented Jones. However he shocked everyone by dominating Jones before knocking the great man out. He parlayed that win with a victory over Antonio Tarver to become The Ring magazine’s 2004 Fighter of the year. Since then he’s lost a few but only to the best whilst beating everyone else, he’s given young guns like Chad Dawson & Tavoris Cloud hell before losing decisions. When the 42 year old “Road Warrior” was offered the spot in the Super Six he jumped at it and see’s it as a new way to prove himself. Here’s what the humble Jamaican had to say.

Hello Glen, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – You have the semi finals of the Super Six coming up with Carl Froch on 4 June in Atlantic City. What are your thoughts on that fight?

Glen Johnson – You know obviously the fights going to be a tremendous fight; it’s going to be a great fight. Carl Froch is a real fighter and the world already knows I am a good fighter. So we’re going to give the fans their money’s worth.

Anson Wainwright – What do you think of Froch?

Glen Johnson – Well he’s a good fighter. He fought a couple of fights I saw him in. He fights on the inside and brawls. The last fight (against Arthur Abraham) he kept his distance used his jabs. He’s an excellent brawler and he’s also an excellent boxer, so we prepare for both things. He’s coming to fight a good fight and I’m going to be ready to fight back.

Anson Wainwright – How easily do you make 168? Before the Allen Green fight it had been 10 years since you were that low in weight.

Glen Johnson – The big challenge was making it for Allen Green but I already made that weight and I did it at short notice and it wasn’t difficult it was easier than I thought. With this fight I had plenty of notice. I’m already on my weight now a month from the fight.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us how the deal came about to enter the Super 6?

Glen Johnson – A couple of people got hurt. I believe (Mikkel) Kessler got hurt and they needed a replacement for Kessler & then Andre Dirrell got hurt and they needed a replacement for Dirrell so I believe I replaced Kessler because of the eye and then I needed to knock out Allen Green to make it into the Super Six semi finals just winning wasn’t going to be good enough and when Dirrell got hurt all I needed was just a win but I needed up knocking out Allen Green anyway. So even If I needed a knock out I’d of stayed in.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team; who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also where do you regularly train for fights?

Glen Johnson – My manager is Henry Foster, my trainer is Orlando Cuellar and my promoter is Warriors Promotions run by Leon Margules and also Di Bella Entertainment there partners on the promotional deal. I live in Miami and train in Miami, I don’t really go anywhere. I keep my training camp here in Miami.

Anson Wainwright – You’re now 42, what do you think are the main reason’s why you have been so successful at an advanced age for a Boxer?

Glen Johnson – I really don’t know, I could be the fact that clean living, genetics or it could be the fact that I work hard and that I take care of myself or it could be a combination of both but whatever it is I’m not questioning it. I’m not changing anything.

Anson Wainwright – How much longer do you think you can keep performing at the highest level?

Glen Johnson – You know hopefully we can find out I don’t make plans.

Anson Wainwright – Who do you think is the best fighter you have fought in your career?

Glen Johnson – The best fighter I fought was Bernard Hopkins. You know when I fought against Bernard Hopkins we were at two different levels. He was great and I didn’t feel like I knew what was going on, the guy was superior to my level at that time. Nobody has ever got in the ring with me that made me feel the way Bernard Hopkins made me feel, he just made me feel I couldn’t win. Nobody else ever made me feel like that when I’m in the fight. Bernard Hopkins let me know right off the bat from the first round that I had no chance of winning the fight.

Anson Wainwright – What is your best win in you opinion?

Glen Johnson – The Roy Jones fight that was the most popular. I would go with that fight but I would say the fight that meant most to me was the fight is Clinton Woods because that’s when I won my championship and that’s the fight that set up the Roy Jones fight was winning the fight, without winning the championship I’d not of boxed Roy Jones. Winning the IBF title meant the most to me but guess the most popular was the Roy Jones fight.

Anson Wainwright – Many years ago you were scheduled to fight Joe Calzaghe but for various reasons the fight never happened. Why was this from your point of view? What did you think of Calzaghe?

Glen Johnson – I just believe Joe Calzaghe was scared of me. I don’t see no other reason for the fight not to happen. We scheduled the fight 3 times and 3 times it didn’t happen and he had an excuse why the fight didn’t happen. What else is there to say. Maybe he could answer it different but that’s from my side.

Anson Wainwright – Tell us about growing up in Jamaica? How were things for your growing up there? Also how did you first become interested and take up Boxing?

Glen Johnson – Growing up in Jamaica was great for me. I enjoyed my childhood. I had a lot of fun as a kid. I had loving & caring people taking care of me, I had great friends and stuff around and I enjoyed their company. It was a great time for me. I love swimming and did a lot of that when I was on the Island. It was a typical childhood, I just grew up enjoying my surroundings. It was a wonderful time.

Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do when you’re not Boxing? What are your hobbies and Interests?

Glen Johnson – My hobbies…You know I don’t know if you can write what I like to do outside of Boxing as my hobbies! Haha But yeah spend time with my wife, lets put it like that! Haha

Anson Wainwright – Not to close to fight!

Glen Johnson – No, not at fight time. Outside of fight time it’s my favourite hobby!

Anson Wainwright – How did you start Boxing?

Glen Johnson – I started Boxing because I was overweight at age 20. I started to get overweight I had a lot of overweight people in my family and didn’t want to end up overweight so I started looking around for a gym to work out. They opened a gym in my community. If you lived in the area it was free and free fitted my budget so I went in and started working out, just exercising and the coach took a liking to me and started to teach me the technique of Boxing. He asked me if I wanted to star amateur Boxing and I said “Yeah” so we took if from there. 3 years later we turned pro.

Anson Wainwright – What are your thoughts on the other semi final of the Super Six? Presumably you’ll be following that Ward-Abraham?

Glen Johnson – Oh yeah definitely. I’ll certainly have Interest in that fight, I’m looking to fight the winner. I’m looking to win my fight so I’ll be looking to see who I’ll end fighting. I think it’s a good fight, people aren’t giving Abraham much of chance but I think it’s a tough fight for Ward because of Abraham’s style. I believe Abraham will get off a lot easier than he was with Froch. Froch stayed on the outside away from him, Ward’s not that type of guy. He’s faster, he moves his hands faster (Ward) but I give (Abraham) a chance, a lot of people don’t. I think it’ll be a good fight.

Anson Wainwright – Do you still consider yourself part of the Light Heavyweight division?

Glen Johnson – Not right now, I see myself as a Super Middleweight right now. I don’t think I’ll go back to the Light Heavyweight division there’s nothing in the Light Heavyweight division for me. One of the reason’s I was hanging around the Light Heavyweight division was hoping the guys from the Super Middleweight division would come up. But I came down so there’s no reason for me to. I already fought everyone at Light Heavyweight, there’s nobody else to fight. The Super Middleweight division has a lot of opportunities, a lot of great fighters are here. A lot of fighters I’ve never fought, It’s opened up a fresh chapter and great fights for the fans. I’m looking forward to the future in the weight class.

Anson Wainwright – After the Hopkins fight you lost several fights that many people believe you should of won. What are your thoughts on that?

Glen Johnson – You know for me even though the consensus is I was robbed and I didn’t get the decisions you know I didn’t let it take control of me. For me it was a motivating factor. Even though these fighters couldn’t beat me inside the ring, they had people outside the ring (the judges) beat me. They didn’t because they didn’t have the talent in the the ring to beat me. That was the thing for me it was a whole different factor. I kept my spirits up. Probably if I won that fight I probably wouldn’t of had that drive. It made me tough and more mentally prepared for the future.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans ahead of the Froch fight?

Glen Johnson – Of course, the message to my fans is their the greatest fans in the world. Most people want to jump on bandwagons of guys who are undefeated and obviously if you look around I’m far from that. So the fans that I have I cherish them. There real Boxing fans, they know what their looking at and seeing and I appreciate that. I get support around the world. So thanks for that.

Thanks for taking time out to speak to us Glen.

Thanks, I appreciate you taking time to Interview me.

Anson Wainwright

Fan favorite Danny Green will make the fifth defense of his International Boxing Organization cruiserweight championship against three-time IBO light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver on July 20 at the Entertainment Centre in Sydney, Australia.

Green, 38, who won the vacant title in August 2009 in Biloxi, Miss., has gone “down under” for his four subsequent fights – stopping Roy Jones (TKO 1), Manny Siaca (KO 3) and Paul Briggs (KO 1) in succession before outpointing unbeaten No. 1 challenger B.J. Flores (UD 12) on Nov. 17.

He is 31-3 with 27 knockouts in a pro career that began in 2001.

Tarver, 42, fights at cruiserweight for the first time after a long career at light heavyweight was followed by a one-fight foray at heavyweight, where he won a unanimous 10-round decision from Nagy Aguilera on Oct. 15 in Miami, Okla.

The Orlando, Fla. native defeated Jones (TKO 2) for the IBO title at 175 pounds in 2004, lost and regained it in a memorable two-fight series with Glen Johnson and regained it yet again in 2007 – a year after dropping a 12-round verdict to Bernard Hopkins in Atlantic City, N.J.

He is 28-6 with 19 KOs in 14 years as a professional.

At almost forty-two years old and forty-six pounds heavier then his customary Light Heavyweight weight, Antonio Tarver made a successful debut as a heavyweight as he scored a ten round unanimous decision over Nagy Aguilera at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma.

Tarver controlled the action over the first three rounds as he boxed very well until injuring his left shoulder sometime around the fourth round. Tarver held his left hand low and fired off quick uppercuts and kept Aguilera against the ropes and reigned in quick combinations and that were mostly capped off by flush left hands to the face.

Aguilera made brief charge in round ten but it was short lived as Tarver was never in any trouble.

Tarver, 221 lbs of Tampa, FL won by scores of 98-92 on all cards to go to 28-6. Aguilera, 232 lbs of Bronx, NY via Dominican Republic is now 16-5

“I feel I looked great,’’ he said. “There was no ring rust. I didn’t get hit much. I didn’t get hurt. I’ll get the shoulder diagnosed, but it didn’t affect me. I wasn’t going to let it affect me. I did what I had to do and stuck to my game plan. I’m back and I’m here to stay. I’m a heavyweight now. The magic still lives.

“There is still work to do,’’ Tarver said. “Aguilera was a good trial horse for me. He surprised me because he stayed on his bicycle so much. But I’ll be back in the gym. I’ve got to power up. I thought I caught him with some good shots. No one (in the heavyweight division) is going to outbox me.’’

Mired by numerous headbutts that caused cuts over both of his eyes, Hector Munoz was tough as nails just to make it to the ninth round with Shawn Porter before the latter finally was able to score the stoppage victory in a scheduled ten round Welterweight bout.

Porter basically won every minute of every round as he landed fast and hard combinations that had Munoz in trouble throughout but Munoz did not take a backwards step and continued to come forward only to absorb punishment until referee Gary Ritter mercifully stopped the bout at 2:05 of round nine.

Porter, 146.4 lbs of of Akron, Ohio remains undefeated at 17-0 with thirteen knockouts. Munoz, 146.8 lbs of Albuquerque, New Mexico is now 18-4-1.

“The fight went exactly as I expected,’’ said Porter, a poised, versatile boxer-puncher who throws power punches in bunches from all angles with both hands. “He came forward all the time and never stopped trying. I was surprised at how long they let the fight go on, but I knew I had to stay focused.’’

“I wanted to draw him forward to get him close, but I never could,’’ Munoz said. “He is not a devastating puncher. He never hurt me or had me shook up. But the cuts were too much to overcome.’’

At age 41, Antonio Tarver is two days away from dipping his toes into heavyweight waters.

After suffering back to back losses to Chad Dawson, Tarver spent about a year and a half away from the ring. He will make his return inside the ropes as a heavyweight when he takes on 24-year old Dominican, Nagy Aguilera, Friday on Showtime.

Tarver, who in an October 5 conference call insisted that his walking around weight was 225 lbs., is foregoing fighting as a cruiserweight and making the jump from light heavyweight to heavyweight.

A few thoughts come to mind with regards to Tarver’s decision:

It must be REALLY hard to step away. REALLY REALLY hard.

We see it all the time in every sport and boxing is no exception. Sometimes athletes don’t know when to “hang it up.” Or they do know, but refuse to leave the game (Hello, Brett Favre and your 1-3 Vikings. Hello, Roy Jones, Jr.).

For what it’s worth, Tarver is neither Favre nor RJJ. In fact, with only 33 professional fights under his belt, Tarver’s body is less spent than either of the aforementioned aged legends.

But Tarver was seemingly content with life after boxing, doing a more than capable job as an analyst on Showtime. His rich analysis and insight offer viewers a refreshing take on the bouts; plus the “Magic Man’s” personality meshes well with the likes of Steve Farhood, Al Bernstein, and Curt Menefee.

If he never set foot in the ring again, Tarver would be remembered as an outstanding amateur boxer, an Olympic bronze medalist and the first man to knockout Roy Jones, Jr. (and beat him twice), as well as for his role as Mason “The Line” Dixon in the movie “Rocky Balboa,” among other things.

Now, Tarver, who won’t have to worry about losing weight, will add another chapter to his career when he throws his hat into the ring of heavyweight contenders. From the long list of athletes that came before him, it is definitely not easy to give it up.

Tarver feels his name alone will get him a title shot in the near future.

And that might be accurate. In a diminished, European-owned heavyweight division, perhaps Tarver would do a more admirable job than Chris Arreola or Eddie Chambers as the elite American heavyweight.

“I just need about two or three fights to show I’m a real threat,” Tarver said on the conference call. “You just look at the name. If it’s Tarver-Klitschko, Tarver-Haye, that’s a big name, that’s big business.”

But no matter the reasons for his foray into the heavyweight division — be it because he is opportunistic or he simply got the itch to fight again — Tarver’s experiment at the very least is something to keep an eye on.

The best result that Tarver can hope for is a carbon-copy of Tomasz Adamek’s career as a heavyweight. Like Tarver, Adamek also left the light heavyweight division after losing to Dawson. Difference is, however, Adamek made a two year pit stop cleaning out the cruiserweight division before he decided to step up and bang with the big boys.

Further, while Adamek’s transition to the heavyweight division has been a well-calculated, elongated process ultimately aimed at getting him a shot at a Klistchko brother or David Haye, it is unlikely Tarver will enjoy that same luxury.

Without father time in the 41 year-old Tarver’s corner, the “Magic Man” must rely on his name and hope it puts him on the fast track to a title shot.

Kyle Kinder can be reached at Twitter.com/KyleKinder

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former Light Heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver will make his first appearance as a Heavyweight when he takes on Nagy Aguilera on October 15th in either Memphis or California in a bout that will be broadcasted on Showtime.

“I won’t be the biggest heavyweight. I won’t be the strongest guy, but I think I’ll be the quickest and most elusive and the best counter puncher the heavyweight division has seen in a long time,” Tarver said. “I want to see if I can hit these big boys and put a dent in them. It remains to be seen, but if I can put a dent in these big boys, I’ll be the next heavyweight champion.

“I think I have so much more to give to the game. People are dying for a guy in the heavyweight division who has a face and a name and has some credibility. That’s what I bring to the table. You look at the American landscape and we don’t have anything out there. So I will give it a try until they beat me. I look at it like I am undefeated at heavyweight. And I am not fighting a dead man. Aguilera is a credible guy and I will see where I stand right off the bat.”

The bout is slated to headline a special edition of Showtime’s “ShoBox: The New Generation” series. Tarver (27-6, 19 KOs) has been working as a ringside commentator on the series.

“Maybe I’ll fight and commentate at the same time and pick up two checks,” Tarver joked.

“I think I stayed too long in that division,” said Tarver, who is best known for defeating Roy Jones Jr. in two of their three fights, including a shocking second-round knockout in their 2004 rematch. “I outgrew that division a long time ago. I was 28 coming out of the amateurs. I fought at 178 and, as a pro, I had to lose three more pounds. It was tough. I did it for a long time and I don’t have any regrets. But my last performances show I wasn’t as strong as I was in the past, and Dawson was 14 years younger than me. That had a lot to do with it. I wasn’t able to be as strong as I should have been in a fight.”

“I feel good right now. My goal is to be very strong and solid at the weight,” said Tarver, whose promotional company AT Entertainment will promote the bout. “I’ll look better with the weight on me. I won’t look frail and drawn and skinny.”

“Aguilera is a bona fide heavyweight and did real well going the distance against Maurice Harris,” Tarver said. “We’ll see if we can best that and step up to the plate with the big boys. This is a great opportunity for him to fight a name guy after just losing a competitive fight. I’m not picking no dead man to fight. Aguilera can hit, so I’m testing myself. I’ll have to get used to the big guys punching me — if they can land one. I am looking to fight those big guys and prove I am worthy of the heavyweight championship.”