Tarver To Carve Up Woods, Says Hopkins Is Living Off His name

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Antonio Tarver roared one very clear message through all the razzmatazz that follows boxing’s Hollywood star: Clinton Woods is in my way.

Tarver, who played world champion Mason Dixon in “Rocky VI”, takes on Sheffield’s favourite son Woods on April 12, live on Setanta Sports, as he sets about becoming the undisputed light heavyweight champion.

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His arrival at Tuesday's press conference is far from understated. ‘The enemy has arrived, let’s get this thing on’ he roars, sunglasses dazzling as he sets about accusing Woods of a lack of respect due to recent comments.

A war of words ensues, mostly from Tarver towards Woods, they square up – before the American reveals his eyes for the first time in order to tell Woods: ‘Look at me, I’m nearly 40 and I’m still a pretty boy’.

Tarver does serious too though, and he is absolutely clear that he will beat Woods, beat the winner of Chad Dawson v Glen Johnson and then beat the winner of Bernard Hopkins v Joe Calzaghe to rule the light heavyweight world.

“I’m not putting on a performance, those are my true emotions, and I’m letting people know what’s inside of me,” he told Setanta Sports.

“He (Woods) has the belt, he’s the IBF champion, and I’m coming for my titles. That’s it.

“He’s first up. I see three fights, three belts, and then I’ll be undisputed champion by the end of the year.

“I won’t be satisfied until the critics and the purists recognise me as one of the best light heavyweights of all time.”

Question marks hang over whether Tarver still possesses the quality of old though, after he endured an unsuccessful return from Hollywood against Hopkins.

The Floridian Southpaw (current IBO light heavyweight champion) is undeterred, insisting the boxing world can expect the real Antonio Tarver on April 12, the man who became the first fighter to knock out Roy Jones Jr.

“God bless Bernard Hopkins, he’s making a living off my name right now. That’s all behind me, that’s all water under the bridge.

“If he’s fortunate enough to get past Calzaghe, he’s on the hitlist," roared Tarver.

“I’m expecting a sell-out, and I’m gonna do my thing. We’ve got a heck of an undercard in Chad Dawson and Glen Johnson, fighting for the WBC championship, and whoever wins that fight will be in line to dance with the Magic Man.

“God has preserved me, and I believe it’s so I can become undisputed champion once again.

“That would be a career defining moment, because right now I don’t think anybody believes I can do it.”

 

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