by Chris LaBate
IBO cruiserweight champion Antonio Tarver is very focused on trying to land a rematch with Bernard Hopkins, the current WBC light heavyweight champion. In 2006, Tarver blew up to heavyweight for his starring role in the Rocky Balboa film. He dropped 50-pounds to make 174-pounds for a scheduled fight with Hopkins. During the fight, Tarver showed little to no offense and Hopkins was able to dominate the twelve round fight.
Tarver is back in the spotlight after his recent knockout victory over Danny Green. Last week on BoxingScene.com, Hopkins said he was interested in making a move to cruiserweight for the right fight, and a rematch with Tarver was one of those right fights.
"[Taking a fight at cruiserweight], it depends on who the guy is. Like Tarver. Tarver, I would love to get that, because it's a rematch. He had a great excuse [for losing the first fight]. He lost 100 pounds or 50 pounds, something like that. You hear him tell it he was dead [in the ring]. And he was poisoned, food poisoning. He did say that, he said he was poisoned," Hopkins said.
First up, Hopkins is defending his WBC title against mandatory challenger Chad Dawson on October 15. Tarver would like to land the rematch afterwards.
"That would be a beautiful fight," Tarver said to the Tampa Tribune. "That's been the fight that I've always wanted because I blessed Hopkins with the opportunity to become the light heavyweight champion even when he was coming off of two losses. He never honored my rematch situation. He was crying out talking about (Joe) Calzaghe when he owed me a rematch. Coming off a great victory like I just had, that's what happens. The landscape has changed."
