Continued
Tarver: The fight of your life right now.
Tarver: I tell you what, talk ain't going to get it.
Dawson: That's what I am trying to tell you? Talking ain't going to cut it.
Tarver: Nobody is going to change my mind, Chad .
Tarver: You bluffing, Dawg. One thing about it, they got you hyped up like you are a lion.
Dawson: Nobody ain't gotten me hyped up. I hype myself up, man. I do it for me. I don't do it for nobody. I do it for me.
Tarver: You ain't no big bad wolf. You understand me? So all that whopping you say, you can take that and shove it.
Dawson: Bring it, man, bring it. I am going to be locked and loaded. Locked and loaded.
Q. Antonio, you yourself have fought Glen Johnson twice, and we just recently saw Dawson also fight Johnson. What did you take away from that fight? Obviously, you are very familiar with Johnson's style. What did you take away from what Dawson did in the ring there?
Tarver: Dawson don't have no style. He is one dimensional. He come and he just throw punches, okay. The guy couldn't even get out of the way of the big shot. He got hit with everything. Come on, man. We ain't fighting, Dawg, we boxing. I'm going to take him to school on what this really is; what it really is. He just don't understand. He's young. He got all these guys feeding him that nonsense but what they refuse to tell him that I am the most dangerous, okay, smartest, most intelligent, winningest fighter he's ever going to face. Okay? And I'm fast as I want to be. You feel me? Anywhere I need to go, I can get there. They thought Roy Jones was super fast until he met me. So all the crap he talking is nonsense. The bottom line is they can build him up all that he want to be, but they can't fight for him. When the bell goes ding, it's me and him; then he has to put his mind where his mouth is. That's when he is going to realize, Ut‑oh, who left the gate open.
Q. Can you talk us a little bit through your training camp? I mean, you look pretty good in your last fight. How is the weight holding up, and how are your legs? Do you feel fresh in the ring?
Tarver: Who me or Chad ?
Q. Antonio.
Tarver: Man, I feel brand new. I'm revitalized. I'm brand‑new. You know, I did enough stair steps to get back to the top the of my game, and that's where I'm at. I've had some great sparing partners. My weight is tremendous. I mean, we don't have no problems. They want to tell this guy I'm having weight problems. They want to tell him all kind of lies, but they won't tell him the truth. They won't tell him the truth. So he has to believe that stuff to psyche himself out. But the truth of the matter is, man, look my weight, couldn't be better. You are going to see it at the weigh‑in. You are going to see how strong I am; how focused I am; and how beautiful my body looks. And you know what, the bottom line is I'm ready, and I'm coming to fight for mine. I'm going fight my butt off if it takes everything I got to hold on to my belt. Because you know why? I represent something bigger than boxing when it comes to this sport, and I'm not going to let nobody set us back 20 years. Understand me? It's ridiculous. I got to be victorious on October 11; the sport is dependent on it.
Q. Chad, first of all, kudos for relinquishing that belt so you can give the fans the fight they've been looking for in the division. Now kind of briefly mentioned it early but you know you're a guy that's really not known for being too vocal as far as, you know, with another fighter and talking smack and all that stuff. Obviously, with Antonio we've seen you a little bit out of your element. You've been very vocal we could obviously all hear today. Would you say Antonio has gotten under your skin a bit, or are you pretty much just looking to give back to what he is bringing to you?
Dawson: Like I said, this is a man's sport. Man, we fight. We don't talk, man. He's bringing all this talk and all this acting. I seen that one Rocky movie. He thinks he is an actor for real. But this ain't no movie, man. It's real life. October 11th I am going to get in there and spank him. He knows that. That's why he thinks he's get another movie deal off it or something.
Tarver: How do you think I know that?
Dawson: You know, man. You know.
Tarver: Do you not know who I am man?
Dawson: That stuff don't fly around here. I don't get into that. I am going to break your jaw like Eric Harding did. I'm going to break you down. I'm going to break you down.
Caller: It's great to see you come out of your shell, Antonio. (Laughter.)
Tarver: This guy with all this disrespect man. I'm going to show him how to respect his elders on the 11th. He's trippin'.
Q. I'm wondering why you guys are so agitated before this fight? It sort of seems like there was all quiet. Was there something that kicked off this animosity or the heat in this fight for you?
Tarver: I'm straight, man. Like I said, here we are again after all these years, you know, and the bottom line is, you know, I got to beat it into their head. You know, what I mean? They're never going to come out and admit it. Understand me? That I've been the best over this long period of time. I was too old when I came out of amateurs. They've always tried to handicap my ability. Understand me? And I can't do it. They won't be able to do it on the 11th, and they won't do it after that. You know what I mean? My whole thing is I'm on God's plan. These guys are human beings, they can't take nothing that God got for me. And I know he is preserving me for a big, big reason. October 11th is just the beginning. I ain't going nowhere. Understand me? I perfected this game, my craft. You understand me? I've seen it all and did it all. This guy, you know, he is talking about this, they want to blow him up this. Look man, you had life and death against Glen Johnson. If you think for one minute I'm Glen Johnson, you sorely mistaken, homeboy.
Q. For Chad . I mean, do you ‑‑ basically the same question. This seemed like sort of a quiet promotion before now. I mean it seems like there's like a lot of heat generated. Is all the talk from Antonio, is this something that's bothering you?
Dawson: We two weeks away from the fight, man. That's how it's suppose to go. Two weeks away from the fight. I'm ready to get in the ring and I'm ready to smash this dude. Two weeks away. All that trash talk man ‑‑
Tarver: I been sparing this guy.
Dawson: I'm going to say what I got to say right now, and that's it. I'm going to wait until October 11 and I know I'm going to get on that. He knows I'm going get on that. He keeps talking all this crap. You lying to yourself big time, Brother. Tell your people to stop lying to you.
Q. I'm wondering, Chad, are you expecting the Antonio Tarver that fought Roy Jones, or are you expecting to see a different version of Antonio Tarver?
Dawson: I ain't expecting nothing from Antonio Tarver. I'm going to get there and do my job and leave the ring with his title around my waist; that's what I am going to do. I am not expecting nothing.
Gary Shaw: This actually isn't just starting now. This actually started right after the fight in Florida when they were both on the same card. And, you know, there are some promotions that are hyped and need hype. This one is like one of the explosion but that was boiling underground for a long time. And I think now it's starting to really percolate. I haven't spoke with either fighter about their like or dislike for the opponent, but what you are hearing is real. And I'm sure if it wasn't on phone lines they'd like to go at it right now.
Caller: Well they don't get any money for going at it right now.
Gary Shaw: Exactly. But there's a lot of motivation here. And I think you are going to hear it in their voices and feel the passion they both have for this fight on October 11th.
Chris DeBlasio: Tim and Gary, this is Chris. If I may, you go back to June, I think it was 2007, both Tarver and Dawson were on the same fight card. There was talk from Dawson about looking forward to a fight against Antonio Tarver. Didn't matter what belts were on the line. Antonio at that point wasn't interested enough in the fight. As things developed, fast forward to, as Gary said, April 12th this year, and there was ‑‑ I mean, there was genuine heat at the post‑fight press conference. Now this after both fighters had just gone through, you know, any fight. Antonio's time against Clinton Woods and Chad against Glen Johnson. And they were ready to go that night.
Caller: If I am not mistaken, hadn't they shared cards before? This was like the third card April 12th.
Chris DeBlasio: Yeah. I have June 9th on SHOWTIME Antonio Tarver fought. Chad Dawson faced Jesus Ruiz, I believe. And Antonio, it's escaping me who he fought back then ‑‑ Oh, Elvir Muriqi. Then we had another one on SHOWTIME as well. I mean, look, this is the right fight to ‑‑ on behalf of Ken Hershman for SHOWTIME and Gary and Al Haymon and everybody who put this fight together, this is the right fight for the light heavyweight division. Two guys that are at the top of their game and they're ready to go.
Gary Shaw: I want to say one thing.
Chris DeBlasio: Those are the kind of fights that have to air on SHOWTIME.
Gary Shaw: This is a fight that most reporters said would never happen. Everybody said it wouldn't happen. And to Tarver's credit he took the fight that everybody said he wouldn't take. And to Dawson 's credit, he took a belt off his waist to take the fight that everybody said wouldn't happen. And that's what will help boxing; not a lot of stuff that we've been watching on TV.
Chris DeBlasio: Also, we need fights like the best in the division and fights that define the division and let's get two guys together. Well you know what? Here is one of those opportunities. And I think October 11th has put the boxing world on notice. I know there was another promotion. I believe that was moved; I'm not sure why. But I mean this is the fight to watch on October 11th. Plus you got heavyweights. Put those two fights together on one show, I mean, you know I don't know I think it speaks volumes.
Tarver: The bottom line is ‑‑ this is the Champ talking.
Dawson: We don't want to hear you.
Tarver: Show some respect homeboy for your elders.
Dawson: I don't have any respect for you. We don't want to hear you.
Tarver: Didn't your mama teach you that when grown folks talking ‑‑
Dawson: I'll show what you she taught me October 11.
Tarver: I want to say this in support of the promotion. You got a lot of old fighters out there fighting old fighters. They're not willing to take the risk to fight these young guys and everything. So I go on record saying that I'm a fighter. I'm a champion fighter. I fight the best. Chad Dawson fought Glen Johnson, which was a battle. He made it through. He survived. And now he is in line to fight the best; okay. While Roy Jones and the other guys out here trying to make these celebrity boxing matches, I'm out here fighting champions. Understand me? My whole thing is this: I've always took the risk, okay. Even through my years coming up I took the risk that I had to take to get to where I had to be. But for some reason the boxing world wants to shun me. I got to fight my way through the top, through the worlds, through all these obstacles to bring this, prove that. But you know they have not come out once and said that Antonio Tarver, for what it's worth, it's his ‑‑ It's my time. I've beaten everybody. They want to Kowasaki want to run out about when he beat Roy . What the hell is beating Roy going to do; that doesn’t prove anything. If he knock him out, he ain't prove nothing. He got to fight me once I destroy Dawson on the 11th. And I'm calling for the purest, the so‑called experts of boxing to call for that fight once I take care of my business on the 11th. Because that's the type of fight when everything is at stake for all the marbles. I want that defining moment, so when they look back on the history of the sport, they can say that this was my era! My era! Not Roy Jones's, not Hopkins , Kawasaki , but mine. That I stood above all. That's what's at stake for me on the 11th. It's the pathway to stamp my name in history. When I walk away from the game I want to be known that the best light heavyweight ever did it. Period!
Caller: I think you are on your way congratulations guys. I think it's going to be a fantastic fight.
Gary Shaw: Thank you.
Q. Chad , I just want to get away from all the screaming and shouting just for a minute. Can you just talk about what it is purely from a physical or skill standpoint that you have that you think that Roy isn't ready for?
Dawson: Excuse me?
Q. What is it from a skills standpoint, from a physical standpoint that you have that you think that Antonio isn't ready for?
Dawson: I have the speed, the power; I'm younger; I'm faster. I mean it doesn't matter. All around, like I said, I'm better fighter. He knows that. I'm a better fighter. When he was 25 years old he wasn't doing the crap I was doing and he knows that. He knows that. That's why he is giggling in the background because he knows that I'm telling the truth.
Q. Antonio, could you answer the same thing. Why is it that you think that you're better than him right now? What skills are you bringing to the table on October 11th?
Tarver: Unlike him he can't dissect me. He can't break me down.
Dawson: I'm going break you down on October 11th.
Tarver: He's going to come out fast. I'm going come out fast. 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. Understand me? I am going to make him miss and make him pay all night long. And when you get clip, he make mistakes. He ain't perfect. He makes so many mistakes because he takes a lot of risks in the ring and that's going to get him knocked out. 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. That's what it is. It's good night. But I'm going to work that body over. I'm going to stay close. I'm going to stay in close and when you open up I'm coming.
Dawson: You ain't going to do none of that.
Tarver: Straight down the middle when you open up.
Dawson: You are lying to yourself.
Tarver: That's how you are getting whooped on the 11th.
Dawson: You ain't coming out fast on nothing. Stop lying.
Tarver: This is what's going to hit you when you try to pass me and I push you back. Then you will understand the fight. You are messing with a real man. You understand me? That's when you are going to realize you are in life or death. Trying to come take something that belong to me, Brother.
Dawson: I want to see this.
Q. This is a follow‑up question for Antonio Tarver. You appear to be very fired up for this fight with Dawson . Have are you ever been as motivated for any other fight in your career?
Tarver: I'm motivated every time. When it's my life's on the line, I'm motivated. This my legacy, man. This is everything I ever worked for. You think I'm going to give it to Chad Dawson? Come on, homeboy, he can't carry my jock strap, man. You understand me? He ain't worthy. What the hell does he represent? He ain't even worthy. Come on, man. We ain't trying to go back, we're trying to move forward. You understand me? I represent something, man. The kids in the inner‑city. I represent something, foundations. I'm out here trying to do it right. You understand me? I ain't took no shortcuts. They ain't given me nothing in this game of boxing. I had to take everything. And I'm taking it once again. Yeah, I'm fired up for this dude to try to tell me, you understand, what he is going to do to me. Shit, he can't spell my name.
Dawson: That's funny, man. You sound like a comedian.
Tarver: Taking you into unchartered waters. I'm going to drown you.
Q. Chad , I wonder if you can take me back to the fight with Glen Johnson. You've been considered one of the biggest rising stars in the division. But a lot of them, a lot of writers felt you were still up tested until you faced Glen Johnson. The fight was very entertaining; it was very close. Tarver is saying that you're damaged goods, but what did you take away from the fight? I mean, do you feel a fight of I guess that toughness was something that will benefit you in your career?
Dawson: Yeah. Absolutely. I needed that. You know what I'm saying? Glen Johnson ‑‑ Tarver is no Glen Johnson. Trust me he is not Glen Johnson. I beat the best light heavyweight in the world that night when I beat Glen Johnson.
Tarver: You sound ignorant talking about that nonsense.
Dawson: Everybody knows that. Tarver is no Glen Johnson, man. I beat the best light heavyweight that night.
Tarver: Don't speak that, man. You blasphemy right now. Don't speak that; Glen Johnson is the best. Come on, Dawg. You don't even believe that. Come on, Homeboy.
Q. You are saying that the fight with Johnson was something that you needed. Can you explain that a bit as to what that fight means for you and how it's going to benefit you in the long run?
Dawson: I needed that type of fight. Glen Johnson pressured me. He is strong. He throws a lot of punches. He keeps coming. I mean, there is no greater fight. It was a entertaining fight. The fans liked the fight. Everybody liked the fight. It was a great fight. We fought our hearts out.
Tarver: Until the decision was rendered and everybody booed. Everybody in the house booed. They loved the fight, they just didn't like the victor.
Chris DeBlasio: I think it's worth noting that Chad showed something in that fight that we hadn't necessarily seen before, some heavy metal.
Gary Shaw: Besides thanking all of you for being on the call, I do want to say one thing about both these fighters. They're fighting at the light heavyweight, which is 175 pounds. To their credit, they're not making up new weights for boxing. And as long as nobody else wants to fight at 175, then they'll never be recognized as light heavyweights or light heavyweight championships. So the victor on October 11th is the true light heavyweight champion of the world bar no one, bar no one. So I thank both fighters for being with us today, AT Entertainment, Mike Criscio, SHOWTIME, and especially to The Palms for hosting this. We'll see you all at The Pearl Theatre on October 11th. Thank you very much.
Chris DeBlasio: Thank you, Gary . We have one more question.
Q. Antonio, SHOWTIME has been trying to stage this fight for the better part of two years; why is
now the right time?
Tarver: I mean, I disagree, man. Come on, I mean, the bottom line was, you know, everything takes time. I mean Chad didn't fight ‑‑ come on, he was a young guy coming up. He won the title; what he was supposed to do after he beat Adamek. Jump and fight me? Come on, man, there's a lot of more fights he could have fought. But instead they pad his record and gave him two soft touches, and then I told him before you ever fight me ‑‑
Dawson: How many did they give you?
Tarver: ‑‑ went and fought Glen Johnson and now it's time his time. I wasn't never ducking Dawson . They trying to emulate the dues I had to go through to get where I am at. It's not the same picture, not the same scenario. It is what it is; his time has come.
Q. Antonio and Chad, this is to both of you, I'd like to know what is it like being principal players in such a key, compelling, interesting match‑up? And, more importantly, what it says to y' all's credit as far as what you are willing to give back to the boxing community. The public has been wanting to see this, the media has been wanting to see this for a couple of years now. Last but not least, how do you guys see the 175 division shaking up after October 11? And, last for you, Antonio, being 40 years young, shall we say, what's it take for a guy like to you still fight at an elite level at that age?
Tarver: Like I said, age is nothing but a number. I know a whole lot of fighters that have come before me. And I look at my Olympic teammates, there's a whole lot of young fighters retired. So, you know, they can't say my age is a factor because I been proving naysayers wrong. I turned pro at 28. I wasn't supposed to make it this far. No way. So the whole thing about it is, age ain't nothing but a number. I know some 26‑year‑old shot fighters. In fact, I'm on the phone with one. So the bottom line is it is about how much punishment you take. It ain't about how old you are. God has preserved me for a major, major reason. And we're going to see the picture clear on October 11th. As far as the light heavyweight division, he don't have the WBC title. But what I do to him on October 11th, they're going to know there ain't but one champion. And then I'm going after that major, major, major fight, that pay‑per‑view for that clown that will cross overseas that doing the celebrity charity event up in New York sometime in November. Okay. Perpetrating a fraud. That's what it is. I am going to sift all these weak fools out and put them on notice; they got two more years to do what I am going do, and I'm going to do it in grand fashion. You heard it first from the "Magic Man".
Q. Chad ? Could you also please talk on the situation as far as being part of a compelling match‑up and giving the fan what's they want and relinquishing your belt? What does that say about you and Antonio and the competitive nature that guys are basically raising the bar for other fighters ‑‑
Dawson: At the end of the day, all comes down to you got me and Antonio Tarver. We're fighting. Like Gary said, you got Roy fighting at 170. 170 isn't even a weight class. It's more close to the super middleweight than it is the light heavyweight. This is a great fight for boxing in general. I mean, this is fight everybody wants to see for the last two years. So you know it's coming to the light, you know, and everybody's going to enjoy a great fight. Like I said, it's not like ‑‑ we're not fighting a catch weight 170. We're fighting at 175 which is a true weight class; that's light heavyweight. Those guys like fighting at 170 or the catch weights, all that is not going to fly. Like Gary said October 11th, the winner of the fight will be the true light heavyweight champ of the world.
Tarver: We're going to give the people what they want. They want fight of the year, that's what it's going be boy. Knockout and drag out. And it's going to end abruptly.
Chris DeBlasio: Thank you Gary Shaw. Thank you, Antonio Tarver. Thank you , Chad Dawson . Been a heck of a call. It will be a heck of a fight. See you on SHOWTIME.