Tag Archives: Antonio Tarver

HEAVYWEIGHTS ANTONIO TARVER  AND STEVE CUNNINGHAM FIGHT TO SPLIT DECISION DRAW;   POLAND’S KRZYSTOF GLOWACKI SCORES 11TH ROUND TKO OVER MARCO HUCK FOR THE CRUISERWEIGHT TITLE IN A SOLID NIGHT OF PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON SPIKE BOXING ACTION AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER IN NEWARK, NEW JERSEY

 
Click HERE For Photos From Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment
 
NEWARK, NJ (August 15, 2015) – Heavyweights Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (31-6, 22 KOs) and Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham (28-7, 13 KOs) fought to a split decision draw in the main event of tonight’s Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on Spike at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Both Tarver and Cunningham fought at a consistent pace throughout the bout, exchanging punches evenly in the early rounds. Tarver caught Cunningham in the fourth round with a sneaky right cross that wobbled the younger fighter who quickly regained his composure and finished out the round.  The back and forth action, which left Cunningham bruised and swollen around the eyes, lead to the draw with judges scores of 115-113 Cunningham, 115-114 Tarver and 114-114.
In the opening bout of the telecast, Poland’s Krzystof Glowacki (24-0, 15 KOs) scored an 11th round technical knockout victory over Germany’s Marco Huck (38-2-1, 26 KOs) in a huge upset that saw Glowacki capture Huck’s cruiserweight title. Huck was hoping to set a new record for most cruiserweight title defenses with a 14th successful defense tonight. Both fighters were making their US debut in front of a crowd of 5,843, many of which were their Polish and German countrymen living stateside.
In the give and take cruiserweight bout, Glowacki came out strong in the early rounds beating Huck with his power and speed on the inside. Huck started to find his rhythm in the middle rounds and out of nowhere put Glowacki on the canvas in the sixth with a punishing left hook to the temple.  Glowacki recovered quickly and was able to finish the round. Both men stayed busy for the remainder of the later rounds with the judges heeding favor to Huck by the end of the 10th. However, Glowacki came out in the 11th and late in the round put Huck on the canvas with a hard left right combination. Huck beat the count only to have Glowacki jump on him immediately, throwing a series of punches that forced the referee to stop the fight at 2:39 in the round.  Glowacki shocked the boxing world with a devastating 11th technical knockout of the 8-1 favored Huck in what will surely be a fight considered for upset of the year.
ANTONIO TARVER
“I knew they weren’t educated on my defense and ring generalship. I threw the harder punches and wasn’t tired. I controlled the tempo, kept my jab busy and feel like I outboxed him too.
“He didn’t hurt me and couldn’t get to my body. I did what I had to do but didn’t get the win. We got a draw and I’m not satisfied with it at all.”
STEVE CUNNINGHAM
“I’m the man I’ve always been before and after the fight, and this decision, you won’t find me kicking and screaming.
“I have nothing to be ashamed of and I’ll get together with my team and family and talk about what we do next.”
KRYSZTOF GLOWACKI
“The US market is now open to me, and fans around the world are going to have to respect the cruiserweight division now.
“When I was knocked down in the sixth round I didn’t know where I was and it took me a whole round to regain myself. I still cannot hear well. I was listening to my corner though and when I heard that there was only one minute left in the eleventh round I knew I had to come on strong.
“I’ve always had a thing against bullies and Huck was trying to bully me in there. So I brought it to him. I want to thank all my fans in Poland and from around the world for supporting me. We kept “believing” and that’s how we won this world title. This is the biggest night of my life.”
MARCO HUCK
Was unavailable for quotes. Both Glowacki and Huck were taken to Rutgers University Hospital for pre-cautionary observation.

Aug. 14 PBC on Spike TV  Official weights & pictures

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Photos From Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment:
Antonio Tarver
Steve Cunningham
Tarver & Cunningham
MAIN EVENT – HEAVYWEIGHTS – 12 ROUNDS
ANTONIO “The Magic Man” TARVER (31-6, 22 KOs), Tampa, FL 217 lbs.
STEVE “USS” CUNNINGHAM (28-7, 13 KOs), Philadelphia, PA 204lbs.
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing and Huck Sports Promotion are priced at $150, $100, $70 and $45, not including applicable service charges and are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets may also be purchased at Prudential Center’s box office.
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.dbe1.com, www.PruCenter.comand www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @AntonioTarver, @USSCunningham, @Szpilka_Artur, @LouDiBella, @PruCenter, @SpikeTV and @SpikeSports and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions,www.Facebook.com/PruCenterand www.Facebook.com/Spike.

PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON SPIKE FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

 
Click HERE For Photos From Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment
 
Click HERE For Photos From Lucas Noonan/Premier Boxing Champions
 
NEW YORK (August 12, 2015) – With just two days to go until their Premier Boxing Champions on Spike showdowns, fighters participating on the Friday, August 14 card at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey held a press conferenceWednesday at B.B. King’s Blues Club & Grill in Manhattan.
Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/PT and is headlined by a 12-round heavyweight showdown between Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (31-6, 22 KOs) and Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham (28-7, 13 KOs). Also featured on Spike is cruiserweight world champion Marco “Captain” Huck (38-2-1, 26 KOs) defending his title against Polish contender Krzyzstof Glowacki (24-0, 15 KOs) and Polish heavyweight Artur Szpilka (19-1, 14 KOs) taking on Cuba’s Yasmany Consuegra (17-1, 14 KOs).
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing and Huck Sports Promotion are priced at $150, $100, $70 and $45, not including applicable service charges and are on sale now viaTicketmaster.com, charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets may also be purchased at Prudential Center’s box office.
Here is what the participants had to say Wednesday:
ANTONIO TARVER
“This is a big fight for me. PBC was designed for the new, young stars but I’m thankful they’ll let an old guy like me steal the spotlight on Friday night.
“You have two guys who know their way around the ring. We’re in the hurt business and only one man can win. When the smoke clears on Friday we’ll see who’s left standing.
“Every fight is do or die for me. I’ve come too far to start over. I’m on a destiny trip right now. I’m racing towards that heavyweight world championship.
“I was a big light heavyweight but I feel perfect at heavyweight. When I look back at some of my old fights, I was really just a shell of myself. Now I’m healthy and strong and ready to get to the top.
“I wasn’t blessed with this unique talent for nothing. I have to put it on display. The game hasn’t retired me. When I went through all of my struggles, I became a champion right then. Now I just have to walk through my destiny.
“I’m fighting the very best and I’m beating the very best. I’m looking to knock everybody out.
“Training camp has been amazing. My team has gotten me beautifully prepared for this fight. We’re just feeling strong and can’t wait until Friday.
“When I look at the ‘Rocky Balboa’ film when I played the undisputed heavyweight champion, I feel like art is going to imitate life. I played the champ in a movie and I’m going to become the champ in reality.”
STEVE CUNNINGHAM
“It’s a pleasure and an honor to be working with PBC. It’s fight time. Training camp is over. Training camp was hell, and that’s a good training camp.
“I know I’m prepared to do what I need to do. I’m ready to get this win and I want to look spectacular.
“Tarver is a five-time champion, legend, Hall of Famer, but that’s all going out the window August 14. He’s just another guy I have to beat.
“My record doesn’t reflect what I’ve done in the ring, but I take it on the chin and keep going forward like I do in the ring.
“People have seen the work ethic from me. They’ve seen what I’ve gone through in the ring. They saw the close decision losses. I’ve always had faith in myself and I still do.
“Tarver has fought the best out there. He’s been there. He’s been through adversity. He’s had ups and downs. There’s nothing you can say about Tarver that makes you feel like you can go in there and make him look like a bum.
“I’m 39 and I feel awesome. This is a fight. The age means nothing to me. I’m fighting a five-time champion and that’s how we look at it.
“A guy like Tarver, sometimes you have to talk yourself up to get to where you want to go and that’s who he is. He’s a good talker. That will carry on into his next career. But he’s dealing with a guy who grew up dealing with trash talking. I dealt with trash talkers in every language. The talk is for him. He sold this fight, great. But now I’m getting in there to fight.
“I’m trained by brother Naazim Richardson, he’ll never let me take anyone lightly. If you do that, that’s how you go in there and get wiped out.”
MARCO HUCK
“I’m really happy to be here for my U.S. debut. This is the mecca of boxing. I’ve wanted to fight here for a very long time.
“I am looking forward to wiping the floor with some of these guys up here.
“It’s a very special occasion for me to be here and I’m going to show everybody what I’m all about.
“This is a similar feeling to the one when I fought for my first world title. I’m starting to heat up inside. I can’t wait to put my fists on somebody.
“I want to bring this sport to everybody. Not just the people who make money but the people who don’t have the money to spend on the sport. It’s great for the sport.
“People can talk a lot but you have to prove it inside of the ring. I always prove it inside the ring. On Friday they will be chanting “Huck! Huck! Huck!'”
KRZYSZTOF GLOWACKI
“I’m so happy to be here. This fight is my whole life. I always dreamed about this chance to be a world champion and it’s very close.
“There’s no doubt Huck is a great fighter, a warrior, but if he thinks for a second this is going to be easy he’s mistaken big time. This is going to be a war from the first round to the last.
“I already see me as world champion. Huck is a great fighter, great warrior, so what? I’m ready for a war, from first round to the last.”
ARTUR SZPILKA
“I’m so excited to be here. I’m boxing for Polish people including my friend Glowacki, who I know can beat Huck.
“I want to show everybody how good I am. Everyone who does not believe in me will know the truth.
“All four Polish guys, my friends, will win on Friday.
“I have an amazing team and I can’t wait. I am becoming a better and better fighter and I promise this will be an exciting fight.”
LOU DIBELLA, President of DiBella Entertainment
“Artur Szpilka is a very exciting heavyweight and if you haven’t had the opportunity to see him you should make sure you don’t miss Friday. He’s fighting Yasmany Consuegra who’s very powerful as well. It’s a battle of two punchers and someone is going to hit the canvas.
“Glowacki is a very talented fighter who believes he’s taking the title back to Poland. Marco Huck believes otherwise. People are going to get to know Marco Huck in America and they’re going to love his style.
“The American public wants to see wars in the ring and I think that Huck and Glowacki are going to put on a show.
“One of the great things about PBC is that not only are we getting to make attractive matchups, but we can bring over stars and people who have not been exposed to the American public. Marco is already a star in most of the world and he’s soon going to be a star in the United States.
“The main event has been anticipated by a lot of people for a while. Antonio is looking for a shot at the heavyweight world title and he’ll have to beat a real heavyweight to get there.
“Steve’s record is not revealing of the quality of fighter that he is. He’s a very good fighter and an individual with outstanding character.
“Antonio Tarver has had a tremendous career. He is a future Hall of Famer. The five-time world champion moniker is one that most people can’t say. But this man can.”
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.dbe1.com, www.PruCenter.com andwww.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @AntonioTarver, @USSCunningham, @Szpilka_Artur, @LouDiBella, @PruCenter, @SpikeTV and @SpikeSports and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/PruCenterandwww.Facebook.com/Spike.

PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON SPIKE MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS

 
Click HERE For Photos From Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment
 
NORTH BERGEN, N.J. (August 11, 2015) – Fighters participating on Friday’s Premier Boxing Champions on Spike event held a media workout Tuesday at Global Gym in North Bergen, N.J. before their August 14 fights at Prudential Center in Newark.
Friday’s main event pits Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (31-6, 22 KOs) against Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham (28-7, 13 KOs) in a 12-round heavyweight bout with televised coverage beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Also featured on Spike is cruiserweight world champion Marco “Captain” Huck (38-2-1, 26 KOs) defending his title against Polish contenderKrzyzstof Glowacki (24-0, 15 KOs) and Polish heavyweight Artur Szpilka (19-1, 14 KOs) taking on Cuba’s Yasmany Consuegra (17-1, 14 KOs).
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing and Huck Sports Promotion are priced at $150, $100, $70 and $45, not including applicable service charges and are on sale now viaTicketmaster.com, charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets may also be purchased at Prudential Center’s box office.
Here is what the participants had to say Tuesday, plus quotes from Tarver, who was unable to attend the workouts:
ANTONIO TARVER
“I’ve done enough talking.  Now, we are only three days from the fight.

“We both signed a contract to inflict bodily harm on each other for 12 or less rounds.  When the smoke clears, we’ll see who’s left standing.”

STEVE CUNNINGHAM
“I did the cruiserweight thing, I was the top of the food chain. I want to do it somewhere else. Heavyweight is the next challenge.
“This is a big challenge. Tarver has made history. That’s the kind of challenge I like. Heavyweight is a bigger challenge than cruiserweight. These guys are supposed to be bigger and stronger than me. I’m very competitive and that pushes me during training. The challenges keep me going.
“It’s great to be fighting again at Prudential Center. This is familiar territory for me. I’m trying to pick up another win. It’s right up the street from us and we’re looking to drive home happy Saturday.
“I fought in Europe so much, fighting this close to home is a little scary. There are a lot of eyes on you. But that’s what we do. We handle pressure and do what we do. If a fighter doesn’t have nerves they’re either lying or don’t have it in them.
“I just have to keep putting in work. I’ve had lot’s of close fights, everyone knows how it’s gone down and I’m good with it.
“I think I’m ready for a title right now, but it’s up to the media and fans. We’ll see how the performance goes. If you see a good performance and you demand it, I’m ready.”
MARCO HUCK
“I don’t really concern myself with my opponents. My only worry is if he is a southpaw or orthodox. A lot of people say they’re in they’re in the best shape of their lives, but they all come crashing down.
“The only thing I need to know is that I am going to beat him come Friday night. I want my opponents to adjust to me because I am the world champion.
“I take all of my opponents seriously. It is disrespectful not to and he’s very well-ranked.
“Training in Las Vegas was tough at first. Obviously coming over from Europe, we’re not used to the heat. I even doubted if this was the right decision but looking at it now it was the perfect decision. We’re in great shape and we adjusted well to the temperature.
“When I eventually go back up to heavyweight I want to fight the top guys right away. Maybe I’ll go fight Deontay Wilder, that is definitely an interesting option.
“All our focus is on Friday night and our victory.”
KRZYSZTOF GLOWACKI
“Huck is of course the favorite because he’s a world champion. After I beat him, I will be a favorite too.
“People are afraid of Huck’s power but I’m not.  What I want is a hard fought battle and winning by knockout in final round. This is my dream and I will make it happen.”
ARTUR SZPILKA
“My trainer Ronnie Shields is exactly right saying that I’m here to knock Consuegra out.  This is what I will do on Friday.
“I worked hard in Houston during training camp. I have the energy to fight 15 rounds if necessary. My speed and not wasting any of my punches will be the difference.”
KAMIL LASZCZYK
“It’s a big deal for me to fight in Prudential Center. I started my US career here in 2011 and now fighting in Newark means a lot to me.
“I would like to show everybody how good I am offensively. A little more time and I will be able to challenge for a world title.”
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.dbe1.com, www.PruCenter.com andwww.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @AntonioTarver, @USSCunningham, @Szpilka_Artur, @LouDiBella, @PruCenter, @SpikeTV and @SpikeSports and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/PruCenterandwww.Facebook.com/Spike.

TOP POLISH FIGHTERS KRZYSZTOF GLOWACKI, ARTUR SZPILKA & KAMIL LASZCZYK  MEDIA LUNCHEON QUOTES 

 

(Left to Right: Laszczyk, Glowacki & Szpilka. Photo Credit: Przemek Garczarczyk)
 
Click HERE For Photos From Fan Meet & Greet
Photo Credit: Przemek Garczarczyk
 
Glowacki Takes on Cruiserweight World Champion Marco Huck
While Artur Szpilka Faces Cuban Heavyweight Yasmany Consuegra On Premier Boxing Champions on Spike
Friday, Aug. 14 From Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
 
NEW YORK (August 11, 2015) – Top Polish fighters Krzysztof Glowacki (24-0, 15 KOs), Artur Szpilka (19-1, 14 KOs) and Kamil Laszczyk (20-0, 8 KOs) held a media luncheon in Manhattan Monday to discuss their respective Friday, August 14 bouts at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Later in the day, the fighters hosted a fan meet and greet at the Amsterdam Alley Lounge in Linden, New Jersey where they signed autographs and chatted with fans before their upcoming Friday night bouts.
Glowacki will battle cruiserweight world champion Marco Huck (38-2-1, 26 KOs) in the Premier Boxing Champions onSpike co-featured event while Szpilka will take on Cuban heavyweight Yasmany Consuegra (17-1, 14 KOs) in the 10-round televised opener beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Laszczyk takes on fellow unbeaten Oscauris Frias (16-0, 6 KOs) in an eight-round featherweight attraction. The main event of the night features a heavyweight showdown between Antonio “The Magic Man” Tarver (31-6, 22 KOs) and Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham (28-7, 13 KOs).
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing and Huck Sports Promotion are priced at $150, $100, $70 and $45, not including applicable service charges and are on sale now viaTicketmaster.com, charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets may also be purchased at Prudential Center’s box office.
Here is what the participants had to say Monday:
KRZYSZTOF GLOWACKI
“I read that Marco Huck said he could bet all his money on defeating me, so I will say the same – I’m betting all my money that I will be a new world champion on August 14.
“This is how it looks in my head. Everything went perfectly. I came a here couple of weeks before the fight, no problems at all.
“I’m a very quiet man, but when I step into the ring, I’m a different man. I’m a beast with no fear at all.
“People are asking me if this fight will be between Huck’s raw power and my ring intelligence. I agree, but what else happens at Prudential Center, you will have to see for yourself.”
ARTUR SZPILKA
“I don’t pay attention to what Consuegra is saying about my skills. In the past, maybe I would explode with some expletives, but now I’m saving my energy for the ring for August 14.
“I know exactly what I will do to him. This is my coming out party for U.S. viewers and they will not be disappointed. I worked to hard in Houston to blow this opportunity.
“Don’t get me wrong – I appreciate Consuegra as a fighter, but I also know what I can do.”
KAMIL LASZCZYK
“I know that I’m fighting a tough fighter who has more knockouts than I have fights. I know that I’m ready to fight the best in the world.
“I will be doing my thing and I’m not going to get crazy in the ring and I will not give up my zero in the loss column. I had a great sparring sessions and great camp fighting with Olympians.
“After this fight, I plan to stay longer in the United States, maybe a year or two to get my experience for world championships fights.”
RONNIE SHIELDS, Szpilka’s Trainer
 “Szpilka is ready. He’s in great shape and camp was really good. The most important thing – he’s confident.
“Consuegra had a good amateur career. But this is not the amateurs anymore. You get paid, this is when it all counts. He’s going to be in the ring with the beast, Artur Szpilka, who is going to knock his head off.
“This is the fact; this is what will happen in Prudential Center.  Let’s see who will do the running when the fight starts. If he’s a man of his words, Consuegra will stand up and fight. It will be great for us and the fans.”
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Szpilka Looking Forward to Putting His Improved Skills on Display Friday

 
Polish Heavyweight Contender Faces Cuba’s Consuegra at the Prudential Center in Newark Next Friday
When he enters the ring next Friday, August 14, Polish heavyweight hero Artur Szpilka says he is eager to show off the improvements he has made working with trainer Ronnie Shields.
Szpilka (19-1, 14 KOs) will face Cuba’s Yasmany Consuegra (17-1, 14 KOs) in the chief supporting bout of the Premier Boxing Champions on Spike doubleheader featuring Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (31-6, 22 KOs) facing Philadelphia’s Steve “USS” Cunningham (28-7, 13 KOs) and cruiserweight champion Marco “Captain” Huck (38-2-1, 26 KOs) defending his title against Szpilka’s countryman Krzyzstof Glowacki (24-0, 15 KOs) at the Prudential Center, in Newark, New Jersey.
Tickets for the event, promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing and Huck Sports Promotion, are priced at $150, $100, $70 and $45, not including applicable service charges and are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets may also be purchased at Prudential Center’s box office. Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Undercard action begins at 6:00 p.m. ET, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Going into his third fight with the well-respected Shields, Szpilka says he’s a different fighter. “Ronnie shields is the best coach. Every time I go to the gym, he teaches me something new. I come to training excited because my coach believes in me that I will be champ. We have a great time in the gym and everything is going great.”
The southpaw Szpilka says he respects his opponent, Consuegra, but has come too far to lose working with Shields. “He’s a good fighter. He has a good right hand and he’s a good mover. I feel it will be a good fight, but I know what I have to do to win.
Stacked with Polish boxing talent, in addition to Glowacki vs. Huck and Szpilka vs. Consuegra, the Premier Boxing Champions on Spike event will also include middleweight Maciej Sulecki  (20-0, 5 KOs) and world-ranked featherweight Kamil “Little Tyson” Laszczyk (20-0, 8 KOs).
“I am so excited to be arriving in Newark tomorrow (Sunday). I look forward to showing off my new skills and to seeing my friends win their fights,” continued Szpilka. “Next Friday I will be one step closer to my dreams of winning a championship. I look forward to it and to continuing my work with Ronnie Shields. He is making me into a champion.”
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Antonio Tarver looking through Steve Cunningham on historic run

 

 

Friday night, Aug. 14 in Atlantic City, PBC on Spike TV

 

 

MIAMI (August 4, 2015) – Five-time world champion Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver(31-6, 22 KOs) will be looking through – not past – former two-time IBF championSteve “USS” Cunningham (28-7, 13 KOs) on Friday night, Aug. 14, in their 12-round heavyweight showdown at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

 

WBA #9 Tarver vs. IBF #6/WBC #14 Cunningham is the main event on a Premier Boxing Champions series show airing live on Spike TV, the same network Tarver serves as its boxing color commentator.

 

Tarver is on a mission to become the oldest heavyweight champion of the world in boxing history. The 46-year-old southpaw realizes he has to get past Cunningham in order to get a world title shot against Wladimir Klitschko or Deontay Wilder.

 

“I respect Steve Cunningham,” Tarver explained. “I’m not looking past him, I’m looking through him. If I have to go through Wilder to get Klitschko, so be it. I’m getting that world heavyweight title and when I defeat Klitschko it’ll be the biggest story in sports. But I know that I won’t get my title shot unless I get by Cunningham.

 

The ‘Magic Man’ is bringing 1000 tricks in his bag but it’s only going to take one to take him out.  I’ve been working hard in training camp and he hasn’t been focused.Steve is a solid durable opponent who has proven himself in the heavyweight division, coming off a close eliminator that many thought he won. I have the test of fighting a guy who you can’t make quit, so you have to knock him out because he’s proven his heart and guts. Steve’s also motivated because he knows what beating me can do for his career.

 

At 46 and a grandfather-to-be next month, Tarver realizes that he may not be the same fighter he was during a nine-fight stretch between 2002-2006, in which he was one of the world’s top pound-for-pound fighters, shocking Roy Jones, Jr.(see picture to the right) in two of three fights, splitting a pair with Glen Johnson, defeatingMontell Griffin, Eric Harding and Reggie Johnson, and losing to Bernard Hopkins. Tarver, however, feels that his aforementioned experiences and overcoming so many struggles will be enough to take him back to the top of the boxing mountain.

 

I learned the fundamentals of boxing and that’s why I’m still here at 46,” Tarver noted.  “My whole game is built on deception because, by the looks of it, I’m not supposed to be as fast, as quick and strong, as tough, or hit as hard as I do. So, that makes it hard to prepare for the fighter like me.  I am sure Cunningham may have prepared for a physical war but has he prepare for the mental part of our fight? He’ll be fighting in a ring full of mine fields, one wrong step and, Kaboom!”

Tarver and his head trainer, Orlando Cuellar, have been together a full year for what amounts to three training camps considering Tarver’s originally scheduled fight against Jonathan Banks was postponed several months due to Tarver’s broken hand, followed by his impressive seventh-round stoppage of Banks last December in his last fight.

 

“We know each other much better now in terms of how much to push him in camp and what to expect from each other,” Cuellar commented. “He may be 46 but he’s never been beat up. His ring savvy is off the charts and he’s knowledgeable. Antonio’s a sharp puncher and vicious competitor. He does exactly what I ask of him in the gym. I’ve come to realize that he doesn’t need 160-200 rounds of sparring for a fight. He remembers everything from his fights against so many great fighters, storing information in his mind to use in his fight. He outthinks his opponent. I watched him set things up and put it all together. Antonio is a special fighter, super intelligent, a breeze to work with and most capable in the ring. I’m blessed to be working with him.

 

“Cunningham is going to come in and apply pressure, but he’s never fought anybody as elusive and intelligent as Antonio, who can catch or slip, block or counter. He has so many tricks up his sleeve. Antonio is going to fight to his speed. Just when Cunningham thinks he has Antonio where he wants him, it’s going to be too late and Antonio is going to knockout Cunningham. Tarver is a much sharper puncher than people think. Like Antonio says, we’re not looking past Cunningham, we’re looking through him.”

www.OfficialAntonioTarver.com

 

@antoniotarver

POLISH HEAVYWEIGHT CONTENDER ARTUR SZPILKA HEADLINES STACKED UNDERCARD AGAINST CUBA’S YASMANY CONSUEGRA

LIVE FROM PRUDENTIAL CENTER ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 14TH

AS PART OF PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON SPIKE

9 P.M. ET/PT

POLISH PROSPECTS MACIEJ SULECKI AND KAMIL LASZCZYK ALONG WITH JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHT CONTENDER LUIS ROSA JR.

ALSO IN ACTION

 

Tickets Are On Sale Now!

NEWARK, NJ (August 3, 2015) – Exciting Polish contenders Artur Szpilka (19-1, 14 KOs), Maciej Sulecki  (20-0, 5 KOs) and Kamil Laszczyk (20-0, 5 KOs) highlight a full night of undercard action at Prudential Center, in Newark, New Jersey, on Friday, August 14.

 

The headlining event of the evening is a Premier Boxing Champions on Spike doubleheader featuring Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (31-6, 22 KOs) facing Philadelphia’s Steve “USS” Cunningham (28-7, 13 KOs) in 12-rounds of heavyweight action, with cruiserweight champion Marco “Captain” Huck (38-2-1, 26 KOs) defending his title against Polish contender Krzyzstof Glowacki(24-0, 15 KOs) in the co-feature.

 

Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Fans in attendance will also be treated to a thrilling undercard featuring an abundance of local talent on the rise. Undercard action begins at 6:00 p.m. ET, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. ET.

 

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing and Huck Sports Promotion are priced at $150, $100, $70 and $45, not including applicable service charges and are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets may also be purchased at Prudential Center’s box office.

 

The brash 6’3″ Polish heavyweight powerhouse Artur Szpilka is an aggressive all-out brawler. A pro since 2008, the southpaw first gained notice when he stopped the once-touted Owen Beck in four rounds in 2011, then unanimously outpointed former world title challenger Jameel McCline the following year. Szpilka bookended 2013 with two US-televised wars against Mike Mollo, winning both by devastating knockout. The 26-year-old enters the fight with three victories in a row, including a 10-round unanimous decision over former cruiserweight world champion Tomasz Adamek. Cuban born, but fighting out of Miami, 31-year-old Yasmany Consuegra (17-1, 14 KOs) will be in the opposing corner at Prudential Center.

 

Maciej Sulecki of Warsaw, Poland, will fight in the US for the second time, in a 10-round middleweight bout. The 26-year-old has impressive wins over the previously unbeaten Robert Swierzbinski, the 18-1 Lukasz Wawrzyczek for the Polish middleweight championship, and the 29-3 former world title challenger Grzegorz Proksa. As an amateur, Sulecki had a 110-30 record and was a three-time Polish Junior tournament champion.

 

Poland-born Kamil “Little Tyson” Laszczyk now living in North Bergen, NJ, is a world-ranked featherweight on the verge of a title shot. An aggressive volume-puncher, Laszczyk was a six-time national amateur champion in Poland, while accumulating a 110-7 record. Since turning pro in 2011, the 24-year-old has won an inter-continental title as well as a Polish international title. Facing him in an eight-round bout will be the unbeaten Dominican Queens-resident Oscauris Frias (16-0, 6 KOs).

 

Popular heavyweight contender Travis Kauffman (28-1, 20 KOs), of Reading, PA, is eager to step back into the ring following an injury-induced layoff. He is coming off of his most impressive victory a dominant unanimous decision over Vincent Thompson to pick up a regional title belt in January 2014. As an amateur, Kauffman accrued a record of 52-12, while finishing with a number one ranking in the US. The 29-year-old is currently trained by boxing guru Naazim Richardson along with his father Marshall and enters this bout with 10 consecutive victories.

 

“Swift” Jarrett Hurd (15-0, 9 KOs) is a junior middleweight prospect out of Accokeek, MD. Currently trained by Ernesto Rodriguez, the 24-year-old Hurd fights in the memory of his former coach Thomas Browner, who passed away in 2010. Hurd considered stepping away from boxing, but was encouraged to continue on when approached by Rodriguez, a protégé of Browner, at the late trainer’s funeral. A two-time Washington, D.C. Golden Gloves champion, Hurd turned pro in 2012 and secured his biggest victory this past April when he stopped tough Philadelphian Eric Mitchell inside three rounds.

 

Unbeaten light heavyweight prospect Michael Seals (19-0, 14 KOs), of Atlanta, GA, is a former college linebacker from Alabama A&M, where he earned a degree in physical education. Standing 6’2″, Seals turned pro in 2008 following just five amateur bouts. However, the 33-year-old has proven to possess absolutely devastating punching power, with 11 first-round knockouts to his credit. One of those impressive knockouts came against former champion Byron Mitchell in December 2012.

 

The 24-year-old world-ranked Puerto Rican-native Luis Rosa (20-0, 10 KOs) now lives and trains in New Haven, Conn. Under the tutelage of his father, Luis Rosa Sr., he turned pro in 2010 following a very successful amateur career. He was quickly hailed as a touted prospect with a growing fan base, given his relentless, come-forward aggressive style of fighting. Promoted by DiBella Entertainment, Rosa breakout year in 2014, securing his two most impressive victories to date, both in front of a nationally televised audience. In January of last year, Rosa dominated an eight-round slugfest over the highly regarded Jorge Diaz then later in May, he earned a unanimous 10-round decision over the top-rated 18-1 Luis Del Valle. On August 14, he’ll be focused on scoring his fourth victory thus far in 2015.

 

Brooklyn southpaw brawler Mikkel “Slikk Mikk” LesPierre (9-0, 4 KOs) is a junior welterweight prospect. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, LesPierre was introduced to boxing upon moving to the United States. After six years as an amateur, compiling a 36-13 record, LesPierre turned pro in 2012. The 30-year-old is trained by Don Saxby out of the famed Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn. Competing in a six-round contest, LesPierre will be fighting in front of a New Jersey audience for the first time.

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.dbe1.com, www.PruCenter.comand www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @AntonioTarver, @USSCunningham, @Szpilka_Artur, @LouDiBella, @PruCenter, @SpikeTV and @SpikeSports and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing,www.Facebook.com/PruCenterand www.Facebook.com/Spike.

PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON SPIKE MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT

 

 

Kelly Swanson

Thanks everybody for calling in. We’re excited today to be on the phone talking about a really excellent show headlined by Antonio Tarver versus Steve Cunningham also featuring the bout between Marco Huck and Krzysztof Glowacki. We are going to start with Huck and Glowacki.

 

This bout is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing and Huck Sports Promotions. I’m going to turn this call over to Lou DiBella to make the official introductions for the call.

 

Lou DiBella

Thank you Kelly. I’m thrilled to be promoting this terrific event at Prudential Center for another PBC on Spike show. The PBC on Spike shows have been terrific so far. It’s a pleasure to be working with the Prudential Center. Sean Saadeh the Executive Vice President of Entertainment and Programming and his entire staff of the Prudential Center have been a pleasure to work with so far. This is the first major event I’ve ever worked with them on and it’s been great so far.

 

Once again great to be working with Spike their Senior Vice-President of Sports and Multi-Platform Programming is Jon Slusser. Their whole staff is great I’ve been very impressed with what Spike has done and with their on-air team I think is one of the best young energetic broadcast teams in boxing right now. Interestingly Antonio Tarver is part of that broadcast and he will be competing in the main event in a heavyweight bout against Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham in a bout that I think is going to be terrific for fans and a must win fight for both guys.

But before we get into the main event, tickets for event are priced at $150, $100, $70 and $45 not including service charges. They’re available at Ticketmaster.com or charged by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or at any Ticketmaster outlet. They can also be purchased Prudential Center’s box office. The Spike telecast and PBC off site telecast will begin at 9 pm both Eastern Time and Pacific Time.

 

The opening bout is the terrific world championship cruiserweight battle between Marco “Captain” Huck who is 38-2-1 with 26 KOs who’s defending his supremacy of the cruiserweight division who’s not only is he a champion but really at the moment he is the dominant cruiserweight in the world against Krzysztof Glowacki who is 24-0 with 15 KOs. This is the US debut for Glowacki and also for Huck. I think this is a really great bout for boxing fans. Huck is really the king of the cruiserweights right now.

 

He’s also campaigned at heavyweight where he’s been able to compete effectively and he’s got his hands full with an undefeated opponent. For both Krzysztof and Marco this is their first fight on US soil and is the first opportunity to be televised in front of a huge audience on a prime time American television.

 

I’d like to ask the first question of both of them and I’ll start with Krzysztof, how have you prepared for this opportunity and what does it mean for you to make this first major fight on US soil and tell us a little bit more about your feelings about fighting in America for the first time. Krzysztof first.

 

Krzysztof Glowacki

I am very happy to fight in the United States. I’m very thankful to my promoters who gave me the chance to do it but I also did it myself winning elimination fights. I just hope that on August 14 I’m going to win. I’m going to bring the title back to Poland and Poland will have the new World Champion. I am very motivated for this fight I trained a long time. There are no injuries I am completing healthy so a great motivation before August 14.

 

Marco Huck

I’m very happy this is my first time in America boxing. I’m very much looking forward to the fight in America. It’s always been one of my biggest ambitions and career goals to fight over here and I’ve achieved pretty much everything that is in Europe. I also fought some Americans before and now I want to come over here to show the American people my skills over here and I’m just really looking forward and I’m excited for August 14.

 

L. DiBella

Thank you so much and I think this is great for boxing fans we get to see a fighter with quality of Marco Huck on PBC on Spike. Krzysztof is an undefeated hungry guy looking to bring the belt back to Poland. So I have a special thanks to Krzysztof’s promoters Warriors Boxing and my friend Leon Margules and to all the people who are with Huck’s promotional company.

 

I’m going to open it up for a couple of questions for each guy. We’re going to limit it to just to a couple of questions for each of these guys before we get on to the main event. So if you could please open it up for questions from the press.

 

Q

Marco you’re coming in probably better known but again as is said this is your first fight in the United States you’re fighting a younger undefeated guy who is a southpaw. Tell us what you think your advantages are in this fight?

 

M. Huck

My biggest advantage of all is I am Marco Huck. I have 13 title defenses against all the big names. I show them all what I am all about. He hasn’t really got that much experience I hear that he’s been talking himself up a bit lately. But a lot of people have done that before him and I will show him what the real deal actually is.

 

Q

Okay and question for Krzysztof similarly. This is in my opinion a step up for you fighting a championship fighter more experienced as he said. Tell us what you think your advantages are in this fight?

 

K. Glowacki

Marco just said that he basically has won everything, I think this is my strength because he’s got everything he wanted and I’m a more hungry a guy, a guy with bigger motivation versus the fighter who is basically achieved the maximum what he could achieve. So motivation and being hungry and hungrier will be a number one.

 

Q

Marco, I just wanted to know how long has it been in plan to come to the United States and why he felt now was the right time to make that happen?

 

M. Huck

I have been wanting to fight in the US for over ten years to be honest the problem was that I didn’t really have anyone by my side who could help me to achieve this dream. But now I found Lou DiBella whose experience is great and who can help me over here and help me with something that my former promoters weren’t able to do. I said already that I achieved everything in my career so far and now I get to achieve my debut in the US and I’m looking forward to this fight and for a long run over here in the United States.

 

Q

Is there any concern about having not fought in nearly a year?

 

M. Huck

There are no concerns whatsoever. I just started sparring and I actually was a bit surprised myself how good it was going and how my sparring partner was sent flying to the floor. I’m just really looking forward to getting back into the ring. I’m so motivated my motivation is bigger than ever before even in my previous fights even when I wasn’t that motivated I was still able to do what I have to do. I’m just looking forward to coming over here and do what I can do best. I really want to present myself to the American audience and I am convinced that I will have a popular style.

 

Q

Krzysztof is there any opponent that you feel has helped prepare you for this fight?

 

K. Glowacki

There’s only one Marco Huck so I did not fight anybody who is close to the style and the problems that Marco brings to the ring. But I fought very good fighters. Every fighter I fought was there and this is kind of verification for me if I am the guy to be our next World Champion and I hope I am and this is the time.

 

Q

Marco you fought Alexander Povetkin arguably the top two or three heavyweights in the world and it was a draw. A lot of people think you beat him. How long are you going to be staying a cruiserweight?

 

M. Huck

Everybody knows that I actually won the fight against Povetkin. Povetkin himself actually came to me after the fight and told me that he never wants to see me again. My ambition has always been to fight the best and also to fight the best in the heavyweight division. Looking at the division right now and just the fight of Wilder against Molina was actually embarrassing to be honest. But yes I want to go back to the heavyweight division in the future and take over there as I did in the cruiserweight division.

 

L. DiBella

Well thank you very much. Thanks very much gentlemen. One thing that I want to make clear by both fighters on this call, there is only one Marco Huck. He’s the dominant cruiserweight in the world he’s the guy that has the ability to challenge for a heavyweight championship and he’s going to be tested at the Prudential Center on PBC on Spike on August 14. I thank you both for joining us and look forward to seeing you in the states in the next few weeks. So thank you Marco thank you Krzysztof.

 

Our main event of the evening features two guys who are really well known to boxing fans Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver is 31-6 with 22 KOs and has worn a number of belts is now trying to fight his way to a shot at the heavyweight world championship and he has a very big obstacle in his way in Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham. Steve’s record is 28-6 with 13 KOs but it’s a deceptive record because many of those seven losses should have gone the other way in my view.

 

Steve is a guy who’s one of the highest character people in all of boxing one of the most well respected by his peers by the press by the media by the fans because of the type of guy he is. He’s a family man, he’s a man of faith and he’s a guy that lays it all out in the ring. He’s never been in a bad fight and he’s never given anything but 110% and I’m proud to be able to promote a fight featuring Steve Cunningham. They will headline the evening in a 12-round heavyweight battle.

 

This is a match that both fighters must win. This is a must win fight if they’re going to continue at the highest levels of the heavyweight division Antonio and Steve don’t have a margin for error here. The winner will move on to a huge opportunity and the loser of this bout it’s a huge step back and maybe really the end of the line. So this is the kind of fight that figures to be a terrific match up and a must win fight that’s a recipe for a great fight.

 

Steve Cunningham

Thanks for having me, it’s a pleasure and honor to be here I’m working hard and going at it.

 

L. DiBella

Antonio Tarver is one of the biggest names in boxing for a long time. Antonio and I got to spend some time together because of the Rocky Balboa movie. He’s an actor and he’s a commentator for Spike now and one of the best in my view actually up and coming on air guys in boxing. Antonio I know you’re looking forward to this opportunity and you want that shot at a heavyweight title but you got to get through Mr. Cunningham. What do you have to say about that?

 

Antonio Tarver

Well it’s just like any fight I’ve had over the years. All of my fights have been huge fights. I can tell you I feel good going in. I’ve done the work. I haven’t underestimated Steve Cunningham at all. I have a great deal of respect for the man. His story with his daughter is really outstanding. But unfortunately we in the hurt business and this is boxing at the highest level and it’s all about opportunities.

 

There’s no fighter out there that has struggled and overcame like I have and it’s those struggles that are going to carry me through this fight and beyond. I hear his story and it’s heartfelt but the last three years of my life can’t nobody even comprehend. That’s what champions are made of. I truly believe God gives his toughest test to his strongest warriors and I’ve been tested and I’ve proven that I can go through and I can endure.

 

So this fight is going to be about who wants it most and that’s the bottom line because we both know how to pull our hands that’s not a doubt. But it’s going to come down to who want it most. He has a good distance, he’s long, he’s rangy and got good movement. He’s an active fighter. But at the same time, the boxing match within this boxing match is going to be a fight.

 

When the fight slows down, I’m going to be right there. I’m not going anywhere. He’s going to have to knock me out to take this victory from me. That’s the only way I’m going out there.

 

That’s the only way I’m losing is if I get knocked out because I’m in great shape. I’m ready to go. I know what this fight means to me, and the time is now.

 

I wanted a big name guy so that I could really put my skill on display. Steve Cunningham gives me the opportunity. I know he wants this fight bad; we both do. There can only be one winner.

 

I’m bringing it August 14. I’m ready to go.  my sparring is going well, my training camp is going well. I have a great trainer in Orlando Cuellar who’s on the line as we speak.

 

So we’re just ready for August 14, and we’re going to set the Prudential Center on fire. We know we’ve got some foreigners that are going to be coming over and they may bring a lot of fans. But we’re going to bring the show. Don’t miss the Magic Show on August 14.

 

Q

Antonio, there are a lot of rumors that you’re looking past Mr. Cunningham and to the next big fight. Can you please shed some light on that?

 

A. Tarver

No man, I’m not, I’m a veteran. I’ve been around the game forever and a day. I’m not ever going to be that naïve to look past a credible fighter like Steve Cunningham. That would be dumb of me.

 

I’m not looking past him, but I’m a realist. I can see the future too. I’m a realist. I know what this fight means. I’m not looking past him. But I am looking through him. Straight through him. He’s transparent. I’m looking straight through Steve Cunningham; yes. I’m not looking past him but I’m looking through him.

 

Q

Any predictions for this fight at all champ?

 

A. Tarver

You’re going to see a well-conditioned Magic Man doing what he do best and that’s winning. That’s it. I mean I’m not going to have no predictions. I mean I know I’ve got my hands full. I’m going to have to bite down on that mouthpiece. I’m going to have to pull that cup up and I’ve going to have to dig to get Steve Cunningham out of there, man.

 

I’m ready for that. I’m preparing for that war, a battle of attrition; it’s going to be a hell of a fight.

 

I predict that this fight can be a candidate for fight of the year because I know what it’s going to have to take for me to get this victory. It’s going to have to take the old Magic Man. I’m going to have to show you glimpses of the old Magic Man with the things that I’m able to do in the right.

 

If it comes down to making adjustments, I’m going to be able to make those adjustments. If it comes down to getting inside and letting them rip, I’m going to be able to do that. If it comes down to making him miss and making him pay, I’m going to be able to do that.

 

I just believe in my skill and my ability man, even at the late age of 46. It’s just a blessing from God that I’m even still able to do it.

 

So I’m walking through my destiny knowing that it’s not an accident that I’m here today. It’s not an accident that I had to go through what I had to go through to get here.

 

This is a purpose and its destiny for me. Nothing is going to stop me. That’s bottom line. I can’t wait to see this shit unfold.

 

I’m ready you and excited that I’m back on national network TV; that I’m back at the top of the game and everybody is going to be able to see for themselves. After August 14 there won’t be no more doubt about what I can do and my capability at 46.

 

My skills haven’t eroded. My timing hasn’t eroded. My speed hasn’t eroded. I’m still here and that’s what I want to show the world on August 14, that they slept on the wrong man; period.

 

Q

A lot of people have you as the underdog in this fight, and want to see a Tarver-Deontay Wilder fight? Can you stop all that from happening?

 

S. Cunningham

I’ve been getting counted out since I started challenging for a world title. I’ve been traveling to Europe fighting in Poland where nobody wants to go. Fighting in Germany, successfully defending my title numerous times, where nobody wants to go. South Africa, where nobody wants to go. I could care less about what anybody says. When I fought Marco Huck I was the five to one underdog and they threw the towel in on him in the last round. So I can care less about what anyone says. I’ve got to question myself to Antonio Tarver. He’s speaking about his respect for me and there is respect for fighters regardless before and after the fight.

 

But a lot of people who know fighters, they know that at a certain point in training camp a fighter is agitated, he’s ready to fight, and it’s time to fight. I’ve been at that point, so I’m ready to fight right now.

 

He’s trying to compare life woes. My daughter’s struggle and the struggle he said he went through in the past three years. Look dude, you can keep all the woes. You can take my daughter’s woes. You can take your woes. I don’t want them. Nobody wants those woes. We can’t compare that. I’m not into comparing life woes.

 

Now you say your life was hard in the past three years and nobody could understand; nobody could fathom. Have you been driving that Bentley you bought after the Green fight?

 

You’ve been driving in a Bentley. You understand what I’m saying. Have you made over $500,000 in the last three years? I haven’t. I don’t have a Bentley and beating you is going to get me that; you understand.

 

So don’t try to compare nothing that you’ve been through that will not stand up to a damn thing Steve Cunningham has been through in his whole career.

 

A. Tarver

With all due respect, I think you kind of misinterpreted what I was saying. I know we both got struggles and I respect that. And no, my struggles may not be personal like yours, family oriented, and I respect that too.

 

But what I’m saying that the struggle that I had to overcome to get back to where I’m at right now today. After I got suspended, I can just talk all day about it. Losing my job; losing the opportunity to commentate in the Olympics; that meant a lot to me.

 

S. Cunningham

But listen, we can go all day. We could trade back and forth all day like baseball cards. You had troubles; I had troubles.

 

A. Tarver

No income. I didn’t make no income.

 

S. Cunningham

We’re going to get in the ring and match skills. I don’t want to hear about your woes. I’m actually sick about talking about my daughter’s situation because it’s out there.

 

A. Tarver

But look dude, I’m just giving – I’m giving you the utmost respect on that because I’d understand if it was my daughter, I understand that’s out of our control.

 

S. Cunningham

Well this is another question I have for you then. Where does all this utmost respect come from? A few years ago it was all, who are you. You’re nobody. Come on man, let’s keep it real. No Tarver, let’s keep it real.

 

A. Tarver

I keep it real.

 

S. Cunningham

I’m not one of these smart-ass, trash talkers who can run they mouth and get themselves into some money. I fight to get my money, you understand? So you’re that dude who runs his mouth so much. You’re a professional mouth-runner.

 

Yes you’re a great fighter but then you’re also a professional mouth-runner. I’m a professional fighter, period. You understand? I’m not jumping in the ring on August 14 to beat the hell out of Antonio Tarver. Do you understand?

 

A. Tarver

Hey, that’s your mission. That’s everybody’s mission. But at the same time, I don’t understand where you’re coming from because I’ve been as quiet as I’ve ever been before a fight. I haven’t really been digging at you about nothing. I’m giving you the utmost respect because I know you’re a warrior. I know you’re coming to win, and I know I’ve got my hands full. That’s why I’m busting my ass in training camp.

 

If you ask me, I think you’re taking me lightly. You’re overlooking me. How in the hell you going to break camp and go to Vegas and commentate, like you’ve got it easy. You feel me? I wouldn’t break camp for you, but you going to break camp for me? Good luck August 14.

 

S. Cunningham

If you think me going to commentate for two days is breaking camp…

 

A. Tarver

You got a problem. You’re out your rabbit ass mind. You going to fly to Vegas and think you going to beat me August 14, you crazy. You out your mind. You distracted.

 

S. Cunningham

I was ready to fight when they announced it. Do you understand me?

 

A. Tarver

You don’t know what’s coming at your ass August 14. You playing.

 

S. Cunningham

Distracted? There’s no such thing as a distraction.

 

A. Tarver

You playing with it. I ain’t Marco Huck. When I knocked Danny Green out, none of them clowns wanted to fight me. I ain’t Marco Huck.

 

S. Cunningham

When you start looking like him in the 12th, then think about that.

 

A. Tarver

Whatever. Hey, enjoy your weekend in Vegas, bro. I’m going to be in camp. Putting on the fine touches – putting on the final touches to this great training camp I’ve had.

 

S. Cunningham

I’m going to enjoy it. I’m going to drink a beer. Man you going to be putting on final touches for a long time fat boy.

 

A. Tarver

Go to Vegas.

 

S. Cunningham

You need to be in camp for seven, eight, nine weeks.

 

A. Tarver

Ain’t nothing fat about me. Ain’t nothing fat about me, I’m just not a muscular toned guy. I knocked a lot of them out though. I’ve knocked a lot of muscular men out. Them the easiest muscles to box.

 

S. Cunningham

August 14. That’s it.

 

A. Tarver

Muscles ain’t never whipped me. I can’t believe you so irate.

 

S. Cunningham

I’ll see you August 14, my man.

 

A. Tarver

I ain’t even did nothing psychological. I ain’t even got to play the psychological game. Your mind is already gone. Your mind already blown. Just the thought of August 14, so it’s going to be easy pickings.

 

S. Cunningham

There’s no way in God’s green earth you could ever, ever attack me psychologically. I’m a war tested as a veteran of this country.

 

Q

I don’t know if you saw that fight, but tell me what you think at this point today, your advantages are over Steve given he’s proven himself in the heavyweight and other divisions.

 

A. Tarver

I wouldn’t say any advantage or anything. It’s just going to be two men in there and we’ve got to fight. I stand on my experience. I stand on everything I’ve accomplished in boxing. And I’m saying, whatever goes on in the fight, I’m going to figure it out between the 12 rounds. That’s what I’m saying.

 

I’m going to figure it out and I’m going to do what I’ve got to do to get the win. That’s all I’m saying. I’ve got the utmost respect for Steve and I keep saying that. Man this is one fight I don’t even have to be mad or even have to have no personal feelings towards nobody. This is just a fight that we’re in. It’s a business.

 

I’m not taking this personal, but I’ve got my work to do because I’ve got big dreams.

 

Ain’t nobody going to out-box me, period. The only way you’re going to beat me is to knock me out and that’s it. He got an opportunity to do that. That’s it. We’re going to fight and that’s the bottom line.

 

I ain’t got to cut no weight. I’m feeling strong. I don’t have the problems I had at light heavyweight. So I’m at my best and bringing it, period.

 

I’ve got the best defense in the game so, how are you going to hit me? I see it coming a mile away. Come on man.

 

The bottom line, I’m gone have to close my eyes for this guy to hit me because he ain’t going to be able to hit me with that basic stuff. You ain’t fighting no average fighter, you fighting an exceptional fighter dude.

 

You ain’t faced nobody like me. I don’t care nothing about all them European you’ve fought. I’m the Magic Man. I’ve got a thousand tricks up my sleeve and you it ain’t gone take but one to get your ass out of there, period.

 

S. Cunningham

You sound like you’re getting yourself up for the fight right now. Like you’re a hype man.

 

A. Tarver

I’m keeping it 100 with you Steve. I’m keeping it 100 with you boy.

 

S. Cunningham

Keep it 100 with me and let’s have this out.

 

A. Tarver

All the rest of the those guys you fought are basic robotic standup fighters.

 

Q

Speak on Tarver as you see the more fights that you watch, what the apparent weaknesses of Antonio Tarver?

 

S. Cunningham

The strength of Antonio Tarver is steroid use. Weakness is his mouth.

 

A. Tarver

Now that’s the most disrespectful thing. Because someone say you failed the test, that don’t mean nothing. You can go to GNC and get whatever you want. It may not be NFS certified.

 

But I spent my year. I did my time and that’s it. That’s behind me. That ain’t got nothing to do with right now. You looking for excuses already. Ain’t no steroids in my system bro. I don’t need no steroids. Never have, period.

 

S. Cunningham

The question was for me, now let me get my time.

 

A. Tarver

So I just don’t understand why you trying to shoot low. I can get off the phone man. I’ll see you August 14. I ain’t got time to go through this with you.

 

S. Cunningham

Bye. Bye.

 

A. Tarver

I ain’t got time to do this with you. Because that stuff you talking is beneath me.

 

S. Cunningham

I’ll see you in a few weeks, bro. See you.

 

A. Tarver

Beneath me.

 

S. Cunningham Bye, hang up.

 

Q

Tarver, one question for you big man. Now, what’s the strengths and weaknesses of Mr. Cunningham?

 

A. Tarver

Man his weakness is me. He fighting me. That’s his weakness. He ain’t got no weakness as far as boxing is concerned. He’s a complete fighter. He has the heart, he has the durability; he’s a strong fighter. He’s going to be there to win but he’s fighting me. That’s the difference from everybody else he’s ever fought, he’s fighting me; period. A hungry, determined, focused Magic Man.

 

S. Cunningham

But how you hungry and you driving Bentleys? How you hungry and you making over $500,000 a year? I ain’t see those numbers yet bro.

 

A. Tarver

I’m going to tell you because I’m not a prize fighter. I don’t fight for the money, I fight for pride. I fight for the glory of the game. It ain’t about no money. I make money. It ain’t about that. It’s about my name, it’s about my history.

 

This Hall of Fame run – this Hall of Fame run that I want to put the final chapter on my career. That’s it. It’s bigger than money Steve. It’s bigger than money.

 

Q

Antonio, is there anyone in particular that you would want to face, higher than your ranking, if you beat Cunningham.

 

A. Tarver

I want to face Wilder and Klitschko. I ain’t got nothing else to prove man. I’m going to prove it August 14. They know who I am. I’ve got five championships to my name. I don’t have to prove nothing. They know who I am and they know when I’m ready to fight, I’m going to tough out for anybody.

 

So I ain’t got time to be fighting all these non-descript fighters. I ain’t worried about ranked above me because my name carry weight. My name carry weight and that’s it.

 

Whatever I do on August 14, my next goal is to become the Heavyweight Champion because it ain’t nobody on they resume that they’ve faced that can add up to my name and my credibility in the game of boxing.

 

Not none of them guys that ain’t never won anything in they whole career. So I rest my case. August 14 everybody can see where I’m at. After that I want to chop down one of these giants and that’s it, period.

 

Q

Steve, can you tell the viewers honestly, what weaknesses do you see in Antonio Tarver that you think you can exploit on August 14.

 

S. Cunningham

The good thing about fighting a guy like Tarver is you – if you think you see a weakness than you’re fooling yourself. Like I said before in the beginning, respect is there most definitely. But fighting is fighting and getting prepared for a fight is mental and physical.

 

So our banter back and forth, that’s what fighters do also. But there’s no way I would disrespect myself to sit there and say that’s a weakness we’re going to exploit on Tarver. We’re going to beat him. You understand what I’m saying?

 

I mean and his strengths, like he said, he’s five time world champion. He’s a Fall of Famer already. He’s a great fighter. I think he’s a great fighter.

 

L. DiBella

I’ve got to say, I’ve got a lot of these calls. And the last 20 minutes or so were about the chippiest I’ve ever heard. So I think we’ve got a war ahead of us in the right on August 14, PBC on Spike, 9:00 Eastern Time; 9:00 Pacific Time. Tickets for the event are priced at $150, $100, $70, $45. Ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets, Prudential Center.

 

Hope to see you in Jersey. If we don’t see you in Jersey, tune in to Spike and this is going to be a great card. Thanks everyone for joining us. See you on August 14.

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.dbe1.com, www.PruCenter.com andwww.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @AntonioTarver, @USSCunningham, @Szpilka_Artur, @LouDiBella, @PruCenter, @SpikeTV and @SpikeSports and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing, www.Facebook.com/PruCenterand www.Facebook.com/Spike.

ANTONIO TARVER AND STEVE CUNNINGHAM EXCHANGE WORDS ON MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT!

 

 

“You’re overlooking me…I wouldn’t break camp, but you’re breaking camp for me. Good luck August 14. You’re crazy. You’re out of your mind.” – Tarver to Cunningham

 

“A few years ago, you were calling me a ‘nobody.’ Let’s keep it real. You’re a professional mouth-runner. I’m a professional fighter…period.” – Cunningham to Tarver

 

New York (July 23, 2015) – Former world champions Antonio Tarver and Steve Cunningham exchanged heated words today on a routine media conference call that escalated into a back-and-forth dialogue about mutual respect and ring generalship.

 

Both Tarver and Cunningham joined the call at minute 20:51 (MP3 linked above) following a much friendlier media Q&A featuring the televised undercard fighters Marco Huck and Krzysztof Glowacki.

 

The call became escalated between the two main event stars with the first media question and continued for nearly 20 minutes.One thing is for sure, there will be fireworks at the Prudential Center on August 14 live on PBC on Spike.

 

Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (31-6, 22 KOs) and Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham (28-7, 13 KOs) headline the event with their 12-round heavyweight battle. Televised coverage on Spike begins at 9 p.m. ET/PT when Marco Huck (38-2-1, 26 KO) defends his cruiserweight world title against Krzysztof Glowacki (24-0, 15 KOs).

 

Undercard action begins at 6:00 p.m. ET with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. ET.

 

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing and Huck Sports Promotion are priced at $150, $100, $70 and $45, not including applicable service charges and are on sale now viaTicketmaster.com, charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets may also be purchased at Prudential Center’s box office.

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.comwww.dbe1.comwww.PruCenter.com and www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @AntonioTarver, @USSCunningham, @Szpilka_Artur, @LouDiBella, @PruCenter, @SpikeTV and @SpikeSports and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingwww.Facebook.com/PruCenter and www.Facebook.com/Spike.