By Sammy Rozenberg (AP/BoxingScene)
Antonio Tarver was on top of the Boxing world after he knocked out Roy Jones Jr. in two rounds last May. Tarver saw how quickly a fighter can fall from the top when he was defeated by Glen Johnson last month in a close fight.
Tarver now picks up the pieces and is getting ready to get back in the ring to reclaim his spot among the elite fighters in the sport.
BoxingScene: Antonio, how disappointed were you with the decision against Glen Johnson?
Antonio Tarver: I was very disappointed, I can't seem to win a fight when it goes to a decision. I can promise that I will not lose the rematch. I lost a decision to Roy (Jones) and knocked him out in the rematch, I lost a decision to Harding and knocked him out in the rematch, I'm going to have to knock out Johnson in the rematch.
BoxingScene: When do you want to fight Johnson again?
Antonio Tarver: As soon as they can make the fight.
BoxingScene: So you don't think the fight was as close as the judges had it?
Antonio Tarver: No, I outboxed him, I outpunched him, I countered effectively.....I dictated the fight. He got some shots off but I blocked a lot of his punches against the ropes.
BoxingScene: This time your not looking for the fight to go the distance?
Antonio Tarver: I'm looking to stop him in him the rematch. I had two rematches, I won both by knock out.
BoxingScene: Johnson has never been stopped by knock out and took some of your best shots in the fight. Johnson seems to have a good chin, do you think you can get a knock out?
Antonio Tarver: I had him hurt several times in the fight. I could of stopped him late in the fight but, I hurt my left hand in the early rounds and that took away my best punch.
BoxingScene: Did Johnson ever hurt you in the fight?
Antonio Tarver: Never, I was never hurt in the fight. He landed some good shots but I was never hurt.
BoxingScene: Thank you for your time Antonio and good luck in the new year.