"I understand the game, and nobody can make me fight Chad Dawson. So if I give the guy an opportunity, it is going to be because I want to, because I feel like the fight is going to make sense and dollars. When I beat Chad Dawson, it has to give me something. I am not here trying to give away advantages. I am into taking advantages," Tarver said.

"As the people’s champ, I think a fight with Jeff Lacy would be more credible because I think Jeff has the bigger name right now than Chad Dawson. I am on the record saying that because I think I can really show the world what a guy like (Joe) Calzaghe should have done. How do you beat a man for 12 rounds unmercifully and do not stop him or knock him out? Because you are hitting with feathers, that is why. You are punching with paper. There is no man going to stand up and take a beating from me for 12 rounds. Period. Calzaghe is fool’s gold. If he wants to fight, I am willing and ready to step up to fight. I think that fight makes more sense than a Chad Dawson fight.