Antonio Tarver Sounds Absolutely Unstoppable
By Scoop Malinowski
Dear loyal readers of Boxinginsider.com probably know we fully recognize Antonio Tarver as one of the greats of this era, and all-time. We predicted his KO of Roy Jones, and the style in which he delivered one of boxing history’s most spectacular one-punch knockouts will never ever be forgotten. “Yeah I have a question, do you have any excuses tonight Roy?” was one of the greatest one-liners in sports history.
The strange thing is that Tarver still, to this day, does not get the respect he deserves. The Magic Man’s talents, accomplishments, charisma and personality have even landed him a starring role in the next Rocky movie. What more does he have to do?
By taking care of Bernard Hopkins on Saturday night in Atlantic City will be a start. And if you listened yesterday to Tarver speak at the press conference at ESPN Zone in midtown Manhattan, you’d be a fool to pick against him.
Tarver’s speech at the podium: "..I feel I’m facing the best Bernard Hopkins over the last couple of years. The guy’s never been beat up…This is a beautiful opportunity for me, once again, to really show the world what I’m made of. It’s mind boggling to me that they still don’t understand, they still can’t recognize me, they still can’t see it. But it’s beautiful, in a lot of ways. It’s deceptive when you look at my ability and my skills that I’ve had over the years. And that I have in possession now. They don’t see it coming. They never understand till it’s over - that they’ve been in with the best fighter they’ve ever faced. Bar none. And this is what Benard Hopkins is going to understand early, and he’s going to understand that often - after once that bell go ding. He will be history. But it won’t be his story. You understand me? This is my legacy that we’re talkin about. Bernard Hopkins is just a name on my resume. And I don’t mean no disrespect my brother (looking at Hopkins now). I respect you all due. But you know what? When we step in that ring my man, you’re trying to take food off my table brother. You ain’t in my league Bernard. I’m gonna punish you! I’m gonna punish you! Just like I punished the rest of these bums.
I don’t play. I work my ass off. And you gonna see that on June 10th. 41 years old and you make a dumb move like this (a riled Tarver struts off the podium and marches to his seat on the dais).
Hopkins replies, smiling: “That’s nerves, that’s nerves.”
Tarver, still amped up: “That’s fired up. That’s fired up.”
Hopkins: “That’s nerves. I eat guys up like that. I know the psychology of nerves. He can’t walk the yard. He’d stay in his cell! He’d a never came out! I see right through that. He’s scared to death!”
Hopkins and Tarver did the photo staredown and spoke some tough talk to each other’s faces. Both looked impressive and confident, like the great gladiators each of them is. From there, the normally talkative Hopkins left without doing one-on-ones while Tarver stayed about 20 extra minutes at the roundtable to vent some of his passionate thoughts regarding this fight and the way he is perceived by the media and fans.
"I know it’s gonna be emotional like this. And I’m ready. The guy said something out of his mouth and tried to downplay my accomplishments, whatever. If you couldn’t beat Jermain Taylor, man, you’re out of your league f***in with me. You feel me? Because I’m in a league of my own. And that’s what it is. I gotta tell the people this because nobody else is gonna say it. But they gonna see it June 10th.
Respect is earned, but it’s fleeting. Look at Roy Jones, I mean he had all the respect in the world. Until the trilogy to that last fight, he ran with his tail between his legs and he had no respect after that fight. He didn’t want to fight, he didn’t come to fight. Because he knew if he came to fight he would get knocked out.
I just want to let Hopkins know, he has the respect right now. But fight the fight. Don’t talk the talk and don’t fight. Because just like that, respect can be given, it can be taken away. And I want to see him leave with some respect. So when he goes out, I encourage him to go out on his shield. Don’t go out like Roy Jones did with his damn tail between his legs, like the coward he was in that third fight. Come fight.
I’m knockin the fool out…It would surprise me if he can take the punishment he’s gonna get for five rounds.
I asked Tarver, You’re telling us your strategy, it’s that you’re just gonna go right out after him?
Tarver replied somewhat annoyed, “Nah, I’m not gonna fight like that. I’m gonna use my mind, but I’m gonna break him down. I’m using my jab and I’m gonna stay in reach to punch. And I’m gonna let my hands go. That’s it. I’m not gonna be wreckless about nothing. I’m too sophisticated to be wreckless.”
Overall, Tarver sounds so supremely confident and ticked off that it’s almost impossible to see him losing to Hopkins.
Maybe a big win over Hopkins will be the performance that the fans and media finally realize how uniquely special and subtle a superstar champion Antonio is.
Interesting comment by trainer Johnny Gonzalez about the still underappreciated “Yeah I have a question, do you have any excuses tonight Roy Jones?” comment:
“I grew 100 feet tall when I heard that. I could not believe that confidence. I grew 100 ft. tall. Because his confidence was in the present moment. And he was holding on to it with his spirit. So you knew he was going to be victorious. That was the knockout right there. Roy never recovered from that. He floored everybody that was listening, all the viewers. I sat in my chair, I tell ya, I couldn’t move. I thought to myself, This is amazing. This is amazing.”
Yes. And only Antonio Tarver could pull off such a magical moment in boxing history. It’s long overdue that he start getting his well-earned respects.
The mighty powers of the Magic Man are an awesome force. One swirl of his magic wand sent the superstar Roy Jones from the majestic throne of universal glory and fame, all the way to the boondocks of Idaho.