By Edward Chaykovsky
Former light heavyweight champion Antonio "Magic Man" Tarver has been cracked hard by a court order from a Hillsborough County judge in Florida.
Tarver, who owes a reported $750,000 in child support for a teenage daughter, was ordered by the judge to hand over his world title belts, his bronze medal from the 1996 Olympics and the keys to his 2010 ML350 Mercedes - so his ex-girlfriend can sell the items to pay down the mounting child support bill.
Tarver has not fought since a ten round draw last August in Newark, Jersey with Steve Cunningham.
“You’re killing me, man, really. How am I gonna get to work? How am I gonna get to training? How am I gonna provide for myself with no transportation?” Tarver asked the judge, according to NBC News 8 in Florida
“Sir, you have to remain calm,” replied Magistrate Mary Lou Cuellar-Stillo.
“How can I remain calm you’re taking my whole life from me? You’re stripping me of everything,” Tarver said in return.
Tarver told the court that he's been struggling to find steady work after testing positive for a banned substance in the aftermath of his draw with Lateef Kayode in 2012.
"Ever since my suspension and my loss of job in 2012, I made no money,” Tarver testified.
In his court filings, Tarver said he makes $10,000 an appearance as a fight analyst for Premier Boxing Champions on Spike TV, and he testified to earning $250,000 for the Cunningham fight.
Tarver explained to the court that most of that money went to existing loans that he was required to pay back.
“It went back to paying loans to live, to stay grounded, to keep a roof over my head,” Tarver testified. “I’m borrowing from Peter to pay Paul. I don’t have no money."
"I don’t even have a vehicle now. Sure, can’t make no money now. Congratulations.”