At 46, Antonio Tarver hasn't stopped reaching for his goals inside the boxing ring.
The former light heavyweight champion continues his quest toward a heavyweight world title by facing veteran Steve Cunningham (28-7, 13 KOs) on Friday at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The 12-round bout headlines a Premier Boxing Champions card (Spike TV, 9 p.m. ET).
Tarver (31-6, 22 KOs) recently spoke with ESPN.com for a colorful interview touching on his preparations for Cunningham and his ultimate goal of facing champion Wladimir Klitschko.
What is your motivation entering this fight?
Even at 46, I amaze myself that I can still do it at this level. I'm really excited about going up against Cunningham, who is a formidable opponent. This guy brings it every time out. He very well could be in line right now for the mandatory [title shot] but the decision didn't go his way [against Vyacheslav Glazkov in March] so he's hungry. I think style wise it's going to be an exciting fight. I'm looking to prove to all my naysayers that I am a serious threat to the heavyweight crown. I have to beat a guy like Steve Cunningham, no doubt about it. A lot of times I have to put a little bit of pressure on myself because I perform when my back is against the wall. I truly feel like my back is against the wall and it's time for me to make a bold statement.
What's your secret to staying so fresh at age 46?
I think it's just a blessing from above. I'm amazed myself sometimes but I couldn't be here without the man upstairs giving me the ability and the talent and skill, and still keeping my mind fresh. I still got a lot to fight for. I can't tell you the bitter taste in my mouth after being suspended [following a positive test for steroids after his 2012 bout against Lateef Kayode] and losing the opportunity to commentate at the Olympics after I already had been chosen. So I've got something to fight for. That's why we are here. I want to prove to the world that they can't take away my accomplishments and can't put an asterisk on anything because I'm not done yet. This is going to be the final chapter to an illustrious career and hopefully at the end of the day I'm a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame. My goal is to become the oldest man to ever win the heavyweight championship, surpassing the great George Foreman. That's something to get up for every morning. That's something to busy my ass for even when I'm hurt and sore. That motivates me to separate myself from all the others who have gone before me. I've still got a dream and I don't recall ever having a dream that didn't come true. I [accomplished] everything I ever wanted to do in the sport of boxing but become the heavyweight champion and a three-division champion. There's no way they can deny that.
What did you learn about yourself going through the struggles following the suspension for your positive drug test against Kayode?
I stayed faithful, I stayed prayed up and I gave it to God. I couldn't really do anything about it so I gave it to God. He gave me a second chance at this and I'm going to run with it. I'm not looking back. It has been a tough three years. Nobody understands what I went through and continue to go through. I have been humbled through life because that hurt me and broke my heart when I wasn't able to commentate in the Olympics. That was a big deal. I represented this country. That could have been something that really springboarded me into something else that could have been tremendous in my career. They took a lot from me -- my job, my livelihood. I suffered for three long years and I'm not ever going to forget that. Everybody that turned their back on me and said that I was done, washed up and through. That's what motivates me today, that I can do this again. And it's a great time to be a Tarver. My son [Antonio Tarver Jr.] right now is 3-0 and is doing his thing. I'm going to be a grandfather in September. I'm putting my whole world back together again, but this time it's going to be on an unbreakable foundation that is going to last years. When I get done, I'm going to pass the torch to my son and he's ready to run with it. God don't make no mistakes. It's not by accident that I'm here and I keep telling these people that. But they won't see it until it's too late. I'm on a destiny trip and all these guys are just in the way. One moment at a time, but I'm going to get to my destiny. I'm going to become the heavyweight champion and it's going to be the biggest story in boxing.
From a technical standpoint, how different are you today as a fighter compared to your light heavyweight prime?
I have to make changes and really take my time. At light heavyweight, I had to move a whole lot faster and throw a whole lot more punches. But at heavyweight I can't afford to get hit by a solid punch by these guys. At light heavyweight I could take a punch but right now I have zero margin of error. I truly understand that it only takes on shot from these big guys. But at the same time, it only takes one shot from me. That in itself gives me pleasure because these big guys have to knock me out to win. I don't know if any of these guys can beat me round for round. I don't think they have the ability, skill or wherewithal to get it done round for round. Ain't nobody outboxing me. That's how I feel about it. There's nobody out there in the world. So they better be loading up for that knockout punch. I think my skills are at another level, as well as my eyes and my reflexes. I don't think these heavyweights have ever seen anything like that. I'm bringing something totally different to the game.
In your last fight against Jonathon Banks, you were very patient and selective for six rounds before letting your hands go and scoring a knockout. Is that an example of the game plan you need to employ at this age?
I can't go out here reckless and I've never been that type of fighter anyway. I'm a calculated assassin. I've got 1,000 tricks, but it only takes one to get these guys out of there. When I hurt them, I'm one of the best finishers in the game. That's my history. I can't let these guys last and get lucky with a shot. They are too big, too strong and too dangerous. I'm not trying to get hit by these big guys, period.
It took you a long time earlier in your career to finally get the series of fights with Roy Jones Jr. that ultimately made your name. How much do you feel like you are living that journey over again at heavyweight?
I'm trying to tell you now, I've seen this movie and everybody has seen it too but they have their eyes closed. They don't want to recognize it. They never wanted to recognize me, for whatever reason. But I've been here, I've been successful and I ain't got a scratch yet so I must be the goods. I've got to be the goods. So I'm going to ride on my talent, my ability and my skill and I'm going to ride it all the way to the top.
Is Wladimir Klitschko your new Roy Jones Jr., in terms of that one name you are focused on chasing?
Klitschko is the man at the mountain top. He ain't my new Roy Jones, he's just the man that holds all the belts. But that's the fight I want -- two worlds collide. I want to shoot a real-life "Rocky" movie in front of the whole world. He can play [Ivan] Drago and I can be Apollo Creed, but a different ending in this one. [Tarver explodes with laughter.]
In your eyes, how close to his prime is Klitschko today at age 39?
I can only see him through my eyes and I know that if I fight Klitschko, he won't be able to beat me with a 1-2, grab and hold. That won't work. And he don't like southpaws. It's my time. We are on a history making run. Everything is lining up. But first thing's first, I have to get by Cunningham. That's it. Everything else will fall into place. [Klitschko and I] come from the same Olympic team in 1996. Come on man, we are on a collision course. He has been fighting all these nondescript fighters. These guys have never won nothing. They aren't champions, they are contenders. There is a difference. When you fight me, you fight a born champion. I've got titles to my name and Olympic medals. Come on man, all I do is know how to win.
Do you believe in Deontay Wilder as a legitimate force in the heavyweight division?
I've got nothing against Deontay Wilder. He's got a bullseye on his chest though because he owns one of the straps. He has the WBC title so he has a bullseye on his head. But I ain't worried about Deontay Wilder because I ain't worried about nobody. I'm walking through my destiny. They are just in the way. And ain't nobody going to change my mind until somebody beats me, period. This is where I'm at and this is where I'm staying.
Cunningham offers a skillset closer to your own than the typical plodding heavyweight. Considering his ability to box, how does that change your strategy?
I really don't think nobody has my skills. My skills are unique in itself. He does throw a lot more punches and is more active, but when they throw punches it gives me all the opportunity that I need. I can't knock anybody out if they are not throwing punches. So I'm going to have my opportunities. When we draw the line in the middle of the ring, s--- it's going to be the one who wants to win it the most. I can win that fight, too. I beat Glen Johnson at his own fight and stayed right in the center of the ring and didn't go nowhere. So if a fight breaks out [on Friday] it's going to be worse. Can't nobody outbox me or think on my level in the ring. I'm just really sharp and have been at this s--- for forever and a day. I ain't never been cut in a fight. I ain't even been hurt other than the broken jaw I received against Eric Harding. But I know I have the best defense in the game, bar none. I'm 46 and ain't nobody moving like me. That's what it is. I'm going to rely on my defense and I'm going to let my hands go. We are going to have a hell of a fight until it's over with.
What type of statement are you going to make on Friday about where you stand in this division?
On any given night, I can beat anybody. Period. No matter how big or how tall, I've got to see them all. I'm coming for the heavyweight title.