By Dave Sholler

IBF light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver is tired of having his credentials questioned. Having amassed multiple titles during the course of his 11-year professional career, the 39-year-old believes he is one of the best 175-pounders of the decade.

After battling the likes of Bernard Hopkins, Glen Johnson, and Roy Jones Jr., Tarver (27-4, 19 KOs) feels as if he deserves a little respect. Unfortunately, the Floridian’s upcoming opponent doesn’t feel the same way.

Former WBC light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson, who relinquished his title in late summer in order to secure the Tarver bout, has made it abundantly clear that he has waning reverence for Tarver. Considering Dawson’s position, Tarver plans on teaching the 26-year-old a lesson when the two square off on Oct. 11 at The Pearl Theatre at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

“He is going to come out fast,” Tarver said of Dawson’s fight night approach. “But you know what, his youth, his disrespect, this eagerness to knock me out; his eagerness to do something great is going to get him in trouble. He is going to fall right into the trap.” 

Tarver’s trap includes capitalizing on Dawson’s inexperience. The former Olympian thinks that Dawson (26-0, 17 KOs) will abandon a tactical approach in favor of looking for a knockout. Instead of methodically breaking down an opponent, Tarver senses that Dawson will enter the bout searching for a homerun. Likewise, after watching Dawson’s narrow victory over Johnson in April, a fight many believed he lost, Tarver thinks that Dawson is ripe for picking.

“He makes so many mistakes because he takes a lot of risks in the ring and that's going to get him knocked out,” Tarver, fresh off a decision win over Clinton Woods in April, said.  “That's going to get him knocked out. One thing about me, it don't take but one mistake, one time, and let me catch that chin and it's good night baby.”

While he thinks that Dawson’s inexperience will be exposed, Tarver admits that Dawson poses risks. With power in both hands, Dawson has made a name for himself by applying pressure in the ring. In addition, the southpaw is calculated and uses angles to stymie opponents. This combination of power and ring smarts is enough for “The Magic Man” to be concerned.

“I’m not underestimating Chad,” Tarver said. “He got a lot of decent skills. You know, decent punching power, decent ring (knowledge), but decent ain't never beat me. 

“It ain't about how old you are,” Tarver continued, a clear response to Dawson’s affinity for calling Tarver ‘old’ during recent press conferences. “God has preserved me for a major, major reason.  And we're going to see the picture clear on October 11th. I ain't going to run.  I ain't going to hide.  I ain't going to be run around the ring.  I'm coming to fight.” 

STIFF JABS:

JAB ONE: MOSLEY DONE?

I’ve had a few emails over the past week asking if I thought Shane Mosley looked “old” in his bout with Ricardo Mayorga. I have answered all emails with a resounding “yes.” Don’t get me wrong, Mosley, 37, still possesses some of the traits that made him a world champion. But let’s be honest. Shane’s hands looked noticeably slower and his stamina seemed just a tad off. He still managed to finish Mayorga, but in my opinion, that’s not saying much. Mosley’s next bout, whomever it’s against, should go a long way in determining whether he can continue boxing into his 40s like Bernard Hopkins and others.

DOUBLE JAB: HOPKINS IN MIAMI

As reported, former middleweight and light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins is training in Miami again. We’ve heard through the wire that the Philadelphia native is, as usual, in superb shape and ready to go. Despite talk that Kelly Pavlik will overmatch Hopkins on Oct. 18, here’s to betting that Pavlik is in for a rough night. While I ultimately believe that “The Ghost” will earn a slim decision victory, I wouldn’t be surprised if he takes his lumps (and cuts) from the crafty 43-year-old.

TRIPLE JAB: DIBELLA OFF THE MARK ABOUT WILLIAMS

WBO welterweight champion Paul Williams is not leaving the 147-pound division. Sorry, Lou DiBella. Responding to a series of excellent reports by Rick Reeno, DiBella confirmed that he would not be matching WBC champ Andre Berto vs. Williams for a variety of reasons, including size differential. He implied that “The Punisher” should leave the division to essentially pick on fighters his own size.

But here’s the thing. If Paul can make 147 pounds, why should he have to leave? Sure, he looked good at 160, but he wasn’t fighting Kelly Pavlik. His opponent, Andy Kolle, was a fringe contender who posed little risk. Now that’s not to say that Williams cannot be a force at middleweight. However, if the Aiken, SC native wants to fight at welterweight, let him.

We love you Lou, but variety is what makes boxing and the welterweight division great. From small and speedy guys like your boy Berto to tall and lanky guys like Williams, the division poses tons of potentially entertaining bouts.

PARTING SHOTS: This week, I’ve received 16,234 press releases promoting upcoming appearances by Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao. Think they are trying to market this fight? In other news, Sam Peter says he’ll chop down Vitali Klitschko. As long as “The Nigerian Nightmare” has firmed up his technique and stamina, we believe him. It’s just been too long of a layoff for Vitali. Speaking of the big boys, James Toney is at it again, questioning the hearts of fellow heavyweights. Excuse me for being rude, but who in the hell has James Toney defeated lately to be questioning others’ fortitude? I once highly respected Toney, but as of late, he’s been nothing more than a belly-aching (and a big belly at that) baby. Get it together, James.

Dave Sholler is a featured columnist for publications across the country. His column runs every Friday on BoxingScene.com. Reach him at shollerholla4@hotmail.com .