Former light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver knows a thing or two about big fights. Among his big fights the Florida native went 2-1 in his classic trilogy against Roy Jones Jr.
He also made the jump up to the heavyweight division where he went 3-0-1 with a no contest before calling it a career.
krikya360.com recently caught up with Tarver to get his take on the February 22nd pay-per-view showdown pitting WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder against lineal champion Tyson Fury.
WIlder and Fury first locked horns in December, 2018 when they fought to a controversial split draw. Fury out boxed Wilder for large portions of the fight but the American was able to score two knockdowns including one in the twelfth round to secure the draw.
Tarver believes that 2020 will be a big year for not just Wilder and Fury but the heavyweight division in general.
"Now the heavyweight division is on fire bruh. The things that AJ, the things that Wilder and Fury have been doing to really separate themselves as the best - I think that this can possibly be one of the biggest eras of heavyweight boxing when finally the smoke clears and you got one man standing on top. Man I think there is going to be some really good interesting stories, some saga and a lot of things going on to get us there. I am just glad that in 2020 it looks like we will finally have an undisputed champion when all the smoke clears. I am excited. Tyson Fury is a beast. Wilder is a beast and AJ is right there," Tarver explained.
As for the Wilder-Fury rematch, Tarver believes that the key will be which fighter is willing to step out of his comfort zone and take risks to win the fight.
"This fight is very important. Stylistically man it is a perfect matchup with Wilder, with a one hitter quitter. He is knocking out 98% of his opponents. Then you got one of the biggest, slickest, sharpest and smartest I think - his IQ in the ring is second to none in Tyson Fury. I believe that if Tyson Fury really believes in his power and believes that the big man can hurt the guy by landing the right punch. If he is willing to take that risk and that gamble to get Wilder out of there. I always believe that the only thing that pays off is the gamble and I believe that the fighter that is really willing to take the risk in this fight will come out victorious. That is if Tyson is willing to stand there and not stay toe to toe - but stay in range where he can get inside of that right hand do some damage and Wilder if he can control the distance with that jab and bring that sledgehammer behind it. It is a pick 'em fight. You saw how close it was the first time," Tarver told krikya360.com.
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