Antonio Tarver

Biography

Antonio Tarver, widely known by his moniker "Magic Man," was born on November 21, 1968, in Orlando, Florida. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall with a 75.2-inch reach, Tarver competed as a southpaw and became one of the most prominent names in the light heavyweight division. Before turning professional, Tarver had a successful amateur career, which was highlighted by winning a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. His amateur achievements included gold medals at the 1995 Pan American Games and the 1995 World Championships.

Tarver made his professional debut on February 18, 1997, at the iconic Blue Horizon in Philadelphia, where he secured a second-round TKO victory over Joaquin Garcia. He quickly established himself as a rising star, stringing together an impressive streak of wins that showcased his technical skills and punching power. By the early 2000s, Tarver had solidified his status as a world-class contender.

A defining moment in his career came on April 26, 2003, when he faced Montell Griffin for the vacant IBF and WBC light heavyweight titles. Tarver dominated the fight, winning unanimously and claiming his first world championships. Later that year, he defended his titles against Eric Harding, scoring a fifth-round TKO.

Tarver's rivalry with Roy Jones Jr. remains one of the most significant in boxing history. On November 8, 2003, he challenged Jones for the WBC, WBA Super, IBO, and Ring Magazine light heavyweight titles. Despite a close and competitive contest, Tarver lost by a majority decision. However, in their rematch on May 15, 2004, Tarver delivered one of the most iconic moments in boxing history, knocking out Jones with a perfectly timed left hand in the second round to reclaim the WBC and Ring Magazine titles.

Tarver continued to build his legacy with a series of high-profile bouts. He faced Glen Johnson twice, losing a close split decision in their first encounter in December 2004 but avenging the loss with a unanimous decision victory in June 2005. In 2006, Tarver fought Bernard Hopkins in a highly anticipated match for the IBO and Ring Magazine light heavyweight titles but was decisively outpointed.

Tarver's career extended beyond the light heavyweight division. On April 12, 2008, he defeated Clinton Woods via unanimous decision to claim the IBF light heavyweight title. He also took on Chad Dawson in back-to-back fights in 2008 and 2009, losing both by unanimous decision.

As his career wound down, Tarver ventured into the heavyweight division. On August 14, 2015, in his final professional fight, he faced Steve Cunningham in a bout that ended in a split draw over 12 rounds. Tarver retired with a professional record of 31 wins (22 by knockout), 6 losses, and 1 draw.

Throughout his career, Tarver was known for his ring intelligence, southpaw stance, and ability to rise to the occasion in big fights. His contributions to boxing were not limited to his in-ring accomplishments, as he also gained recognition as a commentator and actor, notably portraying Mason "The Line" Dixon in the film "Rocky Balboa." Antonio Tarver's legacy is firmly etched in the annals of boxing history as one of his era's most skilled and determined fighters.