Former light-heavyweight world champion Antonio Tarver has revealed his biggest regret over the course of a near 20-year career that saw ‘The Magic Man’ claim each of the WBC, WBA and IBF titles in the 175lb division.
Tarver is best remembered for his successful trilogy with the legendary Roy Jones Jr and his intense rivalry with Bernard Hopkins in a time where the light-heavyweight division was truly booming.
However, despite his skills in the ring earning him a spot amongst the greats in the history of the division, his skills out of it were lauded just as much.
The now 55-year-old found himself commentating regularly on Showtime’s fights during the twilight years of his career, seeming to have positioned himself well for a career in the sport after he hung up the gloves.
Although, he was removed from that position in 2012, and in an interview with One on One Boxing, he explained the regretful reason which he believes caused his dismissal.
“There was one time that I got asked about the Hopkins fight on a live network channel and I answered the question honestly, but I think I got a little too personal and I got outside of myself.
“I think that if I could change anything that was on the Showtime situation, with my peers around me and I think that I kind of lost control at that moment.
“I should have checked myself, I think that I was out of character at the time and I think that was probably one of the reasons that led to my release from Showtime.
“If I could change anything, that’s what it would be, because I really felt like I had a place right next to Al Bernstein and the great commentators, I was building something and I regret that because I worked so hard to get there.”
These days, the light-heavyweight division is thriving once again, with the monumental Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol clash supposedly around the corner.