Five time World Boxing Champion Antonio "Magic Man" Tarver is no stranger to overcoming the odds. The Orlando, Florida native who shocked the world with his one punch knockout of the great Roy Jones Jr. is poised to prove doubters wrong and make his return to the ring. "This has been a long tough year for me being away from the sport of boxing. Iʼve learned a lot about myself and others", said Tarver. "Iʼm putting the Cruiserweight and Light Heavyweight divisions on notice that "The Magic Man" is back and Iʼm here to claim whatʼs rightfully mine."
Tarver (29-6 20 KOs), who starred in the blockbuster film Rocky Balboa, opened up the possibility of his next fight being overseas. "My passport stays ready, and Iʼm never afraid to travel to hand out an ass kicking to anyone. Danny Green knows that which is why he refuses to be 50 feet from me now. Any champion overseas can get it. All these guys with belts across the pond can get it. Marco Huck can get it. Don King has a Cruiserweight Champion now (Guillermo Jones), Krzysztof Wlodarczyk is holding on to the (WBC) green belt and he can get it too. I will be back this August and more than likely it will be overseas so the fight game better take notice that Antonio Tarver is back!
Once I take care of business at Cruiserweight, Iʼm coming for Bernard Hopkins and Iʼm coming to GET WHATʼS MINE!" Speaking of Hopkins, Tarver had a chance to talk with his old foe recently in Las Vegas and he was MORE than open to taking on Tarver after his mandatory defense with Karo Murat. "Not only is his name as big as mine and I mean that out of respect, but in the Light Heavyweight division we need that name and thatʼs Tarver and thatʼs myself," stated Hopkins.
"It was a good fight for me and hopefully he trains the same way the second time around." joked Hopkins. "Antonio Tarver is already in the gym and is as focused as ever. "Heʼs ready to take on all challenges and we are ready to put this year away from the ring behind him", stated Team Tarverʼs Public Relations Director George Cotton Jr. Tarver hasnʼt ruled out acting again after boxing. "Thereʼs nothing like the experience of working on the set of a big movie. It was truly a blessing. I plan on getting out there more this year. My team and I are putting some things together to keep working outside the ring," stated Tarver. "Thereʼs only one Antonio Tarver. Heʼs just as dedicated to success outside the ring as he is inside of it," said Marketing Director Derrick Ellis.