By Mark Vester
During a recent conference call with the media, Antonio Tarver held nothing back as he blasted his light heavyweight rival, Bernard Hopkins. Hopkins dominated Tarver last June in a fight billed as Hopkins' last before an expected retirement. The retirement was short lived as Hopkins returned in July to decision Winky Wright. According to Tarver, no matter what he does of who he beats, Hopkins will never step up and grant him a rematch.
"Hopkins, let him live on and get all the things he can do and accomplish by living off my name and credibility. Let him get that. If he's ever man enough to step back in the ring with me, I'll show the world what it really is. Like I've always done, it's not a secret," Tarver said. "But I don't think Hopkins is that crazy. He's a smarter man than that. He's going to fight Calzaghe win, lose or draw. Then he's checking out. That's what you call his get out pass."
He then attacked Hopkins star power with the fans, selling tickets and his claim to being the true light heavyweight champion.
"You saw his fight with Winky Wright, the fight with me. I don't think he sells tickets. I don't think he's and exciting fighter to watch. He's not a fan friendly fighter. That is the way it is. If I fought Hopkins it would be to erase the one 'L' on my record. It wouldn't be for anything else. Well, what does Hopkins have? The Ring Magazine that says he's the champion? He doesn’t have a belt. What are they fighting, a 12‑round fight? The same way he fought with Winky. He didn't put a belt on the line with Winky Wright. So whatever."
"They want to call the IBO a trinket? It was good enough for Lennox Lewis to carry, Roy Jones and myself. So I'm representing the IBO. I feel like I'm the besting light heavyweight out there, and that will be revealed starting with Danny Santiago on December 1. "
Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingscene@hotmail.com
