Boxing\’s \”Magic Man\” – Antonio Tarver

All Eyes are on the Man to Beat at Light Heavyweight

After Antonio Tarver’s convincing win last week over Roy Jones Jr. at Tampa, Florida’s St. Pete Times Arena, is it safe to say he’s the man to beat at light heavyweight? Well, of course, since he not only beat Jones in their first fight, knocked him out in the rematch and then put the proverbial cherry on top by winning a unanimous decision the third time around. And let’s not forget that Tarver exacted his revenge on hard hitting former world champion Glencoffe Johnson. So yes, it is safe to say that he sits on the light heavyweight throne and welcomes all that dare to enter his court.

The “Magic Man” has paid his dues in and out of the ring, overcoming obstacles that would have easily broken the hardest of champions; addiction, early parenthood and tough breaks from the amateurs to the pros. Tarver started his pro career during his late twenties, and more than a few didn’t think that he would make it this far, but nonetheless Antonio has arrived and he’s here to stay, deserving of all the attention that comes his way.

Some think that Tarver’s sole purpose in the light heavyweight division was to defeat
Jones, but in fact that’s hardly the case. He just had to handle business with the
once seemingly invincible Jones before moving on. Remember, in order to be the best, you have to beat the best and in Antonio Tarver’s case he had to do that three times.

Now with that episode behind him, what’s a champ to do? Does he give Glen Johnson a rematch and make it a trilogy as he did against Jones? If he does that, will it hold the same significance as the Jones trilogy? Does he need that third Johnson fight to prove all of the naysayers wrong? Should he give Johnson another opportunity in hopes of posting a convincing win, as was the case against Jones and therefore ending another significant chapter of his career?

What about the other light heavyweights in the division? Does number two ranked Clinton Woods and undefeated number five Tomasz Adamek have what it takes to step up to the plate and face the durable and crafty Antonio Tarver? So many questions, yet so few answers. At this stage of his career, “The Magic Man” can go through the entire line of light heavyweight contenders and beat them all.

How do I know that? I’ll tell you. He’s not only hungry to be the best, he is confident and sure of his abilities. He has beaten the best light heavyweight of this decade three times. He’s focused and it is hard to get him out of his game plan. As if that’s not enough, he has struggled for the cause, enduring the hardships along with the trials and tribulations of life. And he’s made it by never giving up on his dream of becoming a world champion. We’ve all heard the saying “Champions are born, not made.” Antonio Tarver was born to fight and his life speaks for itself. He fought to be the best and he will continue to fight to remain the best.