by David P. Greisman
Former light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver’s attempt at heavyweight contention will continue with a fight on Sept. 19 in San Antonio Texas, according to the fighter’s Twitter account.
(Editor's note: Jessica Rosales of Fox Sports 1 confirmed Tarver's ring return will in fact take place in San Antonio, but for an announced date of September 29. - JD)
This will be Tarver’s third bout at heavyweight. Tarver had left the 175-pound division behind after suffering a rematch loss to Chad Dawson in May 2009. He returned 17 months later at 221 pounds, taking a 10-round decision over Nagy Aguilera.
Tarver then dropped down to cruiserweight for his July 2011 stoppage of Danny Green and remained in the division for his June 2012 draw with Lateef Kayode. He was suspended after testing positive for a banned substance. Tarver came back from that suspension this past November, once again at 221 pounds, this time scoring a fourth-round technical knockout of Mike Sheppard.
By the time he steps into the ring on Sept. 19, Tarver will have spent nearly 10 months out of the ring. He turns 46 this November and is 30-6 with 21 knockouts and 1 no decision (the nullified Kayode draw).
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