Antonio Tarver and Steve Cunningham are prepping their big showdown, which has been heating up with a war of words. Here, find a full transcript from a conference call they hosted.
Krzysztof Glowacki
I am very happy to fight in the United States. I’m very thankful to my promoters who gave me the chance to do it but I also did it myself winning elimination fights. I just hope that on August 14 I’m going to win. I’m going to bring the title back to Poland and Poland will have the new World Champion. I am very motivated for this fight I trained a long time. There are no injuries I am completing healthy so a great motivation before August 14.
Marco Huck
I’m very happy this is my first time in America boxing. I’m very much looking forward to the fight in America. It’s always been one of my biggest ambitions and career goals to fight over here and I’ve achieved pretty much everything that is in Europe. I also fought some Americans before and now I want to come over here to show the American people my skills over here and I’m just really looking forward and I’m excited for August 14.
L. DiBella
Thank you so much and I think this is great for boxing fans we get to see a fighter with quality of Marco Huck on PBC on Spike. Krzysztof is an undefeated hungry guy looking to bring the belt back to Poland. So I have a special thanks to Krzysztof’s promoters Warriors Boxing and my friend Leon Margules and to all the people who are with Huck’s promotional company.
I’m going to open it up for a couple of questions for each guy. We’re going to limit it to just to a couple of questions for each of these guys before we get on to the main event. So if you could please open it up for questions from the press.
Q
Marco you’re coming in probably better known but again as is said this is your first fight in the United States you’re fighting a younger undefeated guy who is a southpaw. Tell us what you think your advantages are in this fight?
M. Huck
My biggest advantage of all is I am Marco Huck. I have 13 title defenses against all the big names. I show them all what I am all about. He hasn’t really got that much experience I hear that he’s been talking himself up a bit lately. But a lot of people have done that before him and I will show him what the real deal actually is.
Q
Okay and question for Krzysztof similarly. This is in my opinion a step up for you fighting a championship fighter more experienced as he said. Tell us what you think your advantages are in this fight?
K. Glowacki
Marco just said that he basically has won everything, I think this is my strength because he’s got everything he wanted and I’m a more hungry a guy, a guy with bigger motivation versus the fighter who is basically achieved the maximum what he could achieve. So motivation and being hungry and hungrier will be a number one.
Q
Marco, I just wanted to know how long has it been in plan to come to the United States and why he felt now was the right time to make that happen?
M. Huck
I have been wanting to fight in the US for over ten years to be honest the problem was that I didn’t really have anyone by my side who could help me to achieve this dream. But now I found Lou DiBella whose experience is great and who can help me over here and help me with something that my former promoters weren’t able to do. I said already that I achieved everything in my career so far and now I get to achieve my debut in the US and I’m looking forward to this fight and for a long run over here in the United States.
Q
Is there any concern about having not fought in nearly a year?
M. Huck
There are no concerns whatsoever. I just started sparring and I actually was a bit surprised myself how good it was going and how my sparring partner was sent flying to the floor. I’m just really looking forward to getting back into the ring. I’m so motivated my motivation is bigger than ever before even in my previous fights even when I wasn’t that motivated I was still able to do what I have to do. I’m just looking forward to coming over here and do what I can do best. I really want to present myself to the American audience and I am convinced that I will have a popular style.
Q
Krzysztof is there any opponent that you feel has helped prepare you for this fight?
K. Glowacki
There’s only one Marco Huck so I did not fight anybody who is close to the style and the problems that Marco brings to the ring. But I fought very good fighters. Every fighter I fought was there and this is kind of verification for me if I am the guy to be our next World Champion and I hope I am and this is the time.
Q
Marco you fought Alexander Povetkin arguably the top two or three heavyweights in the world and it was a draw. A lot of people think you beat him. How long are you going to be staying a cruiserweight?
M. Huck
Everybody knows that I actually won the fight against Povetkin. Povetkin himself actually came to me after the fight and told me that he never wants to see me again. My ambition has always been to fight the best and also to fight the best in the heavyweight division. Looking at the division right now and just the fight of Wilder against Molina was actually embarrassing to be honest. But yes I want to go back to the heavyweight division in the future and take over there as I did in the cruiserweight division.
L. DiBella
Well thank you very much. Thanks very much gentlemen. One thing that I want to make clear by both fighters on this call, there is only one Marco Huck. He’s the dominant cruiserweight in the world he’s the guy that has the ability to challenge for a heavyweight championship and he’s going to be tested at the Prudential Center on PBC on Spike on August 14. I thank you both for joining us and look forward to seeing you in the states in the next few weeks. So thank you Marco thank you Krzysztof.
Our main event of the evening features two guys who are really well known to boxing fans Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver is 31-6 with 22 KOs and has worn a number of belts is now trying to fight his way to a shot at the heavyweight world championship and he has a very big obstacle in his way in Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham. Steve’s record is 28-6 with 13 KOs but it’s a deceptive record because many of those seven losses should have gone the other way in my view.
Steve is a guy who’s one of the highest character people in all of boxing one of the most well respected by his peers by the press by the media by the fans because of the type of guy he is. He’s a family man, he’s a man of faith and he’s a guy that lays it all out in the ring. He’s never been in a bad fight and he’s never given anything but 110% and I’m proud to be able to promote a fight featuring Steve Cunningham. They will headline the evening in a 12-round heavyweight battle.
This is a match that both fighters must win. This is a must win fight if they’re going to continue at the highest levels of the heavyweight division Antonio and Steve don’t have a margin for error here. The winner will move on to a huge opportunity and the loser of this bout it’s a huge step back and maybe really the end of the line. So this is the kind of fight that figures to be a terrific match up and a must win fight that’s a recipe for a great fight.
Steve Cunningham
Thanks for having me, it’s a pleasure and honor to be here I’m working hard and going at it.
L. DiBella
Antonio Tarver is one of the biggest names in boxing for a long time. Antonio and I got to spend some time together because of the Rocky Balboa movie. He’s an actor and he’s a commentator for Spike now and one of the best in my view actually up and coming on air guys in boxing. Antonio I know you’re looking forward to this opportunity and you want that shot at a heavyweight title but you got to get through Mr. Cunningham. What do you have to say about that?
Antonio Tarver
Well it’s just like any fight I’ve had over the years. All of my fights have been huge fights. I can tell you I feel good going in. I’ve done the work. I haven’t underestimated Steve Cunningham at all. I have a great deal of respect for the man. His story with his daughter is really outstanding. But unfortunately we in the hurt business and this is boxing at the highest level and it’s all about opportunities.
There’s no fighter out there that has struggled and overcame like I have and it’s those struggles that are going to carry me through this fight and beyond. I hear his story and it’s heartfelt but the last three years of my life can’t nobody even comprehend. That’s what champions are made of. I truly believe God gives his toughest test to his strongest warriors and I’ve been tested and I’ve proven that I can go through and I can endure.
So this fight is going to be about who wants it most and that’s the bottom line because we both know how to pull our hands that’s not a doubt. But it’s going to come down to who want it most. He has a good distance, he’s long, he’s rangy and got good movement. He’s an active fighter. But at the same time, the boxing match within this boxing match is going to be a fight.
When the fight slows down, I’m going to be right there. I’m not going anywhere. He’s going to have to knock me out to take this victory from me. That’s the only way I’m going out there.
That’s the only way I’m losing is if I get knocked out because I’m in great shape. I’m ready to go. I know what this fight means to me, and the time is now.
I wanted a big name guy so that I could really put my skill on display. Steve Cunningham gives me the opportunity. I know he wants this fight bad; we both do. There can only be one winner.
I’m bringing it August 14. I’m ready to go. my sparring is going well, my training camp is going well. I have a great trainer in Orlando Cuellar who’s on the line as we speak.
So we’re just ready for August 14, and we’re going to set the Prudential Center on fire. We know we’ve got some foreigners that are going to be coming over and they may bring a lot of fans. But we’re going to bring the show. Don’t miss the Magic Show on August 14.
Q
Antonio, there are a lot of rumors that you’re looking past Mr. Cunningham and to the next big fight. Can you please shed some light on that?
A. Tarver
No man, I’m not, I’m a veteran. I’ve been around the game forever and a day. I’m not ever going to be that naïve to look past a credible fighter like Steve Cunningham. That would be dumb of me.
I’m not looking past him, but I’m a realist. I can see the future too. I’m a realist. I know what this fight means. I’m not looking past him. But I am looking through him. Straight through him. He’s transparent. I’m looking straight through Steve Cunningham; yes. I’m not looking past him but I’m looking through him.
Q
Any predictions for this fight at all champ?
A. Tarver
You’re going to see a well-conditioned Magic Man doing what he do best and that’s winning. That’s it. I mean I’m not going to have no predictions. I mean I know I’ve got my hands full. I’m going to have to bite down on that mouthpiece. I’m going to have to pull that cup up and I’ve going to have to dig to get Steve Cunningham out of there, man.
I’m ready for that. I’m preparing for that war, a battle of attrition; it’s going to be a hell of a fight.
I predict that this fight can be a candidate for fight of the year because I know what it’s going to have to take for me to get this victory. It’s going to have to take the old Magic Man. I’m going to have to show you glimpses of the old Magic Man with the things that I’m able to do in the right.
If it comes down to making adjustments, I’m going to be able to make those adjustments. If it comes down to getting inside and letting them rip, I’m going to be able to do that. If it comes down to making him miss and making him pay, I’m going to be able to do that.
I just believe in my skill and my ability man, even at the late age of 46. It’s just a blessing from God that I’m even still able to do it.
So I’m walking through my destiny knowing that it’s not an accident that I’m here today. It’s not an accident that I had to go through what I had to go through to get here.
This is a purpose and its destiny for me. Nothing is going to stop me. That’s bottom line. I can’t wait to see this shit unfold.
I’m ready you and excited that I’m back on national network TV; that I’m back at the top of the game and everybody is going to be able to see for themselves. After August 14 there won’t be no more doubt about what I can do and my capability at 46.
My skills haven’t eroded. My timing hasn’t eroded. My speed hasn’t eroded. I’m still here and that’s what I want to show the world on August 14, that they slept on the wrong man; period.
Q
A lot of people have you as the underdog in this fight, and want to see a Tarver-Deontay Wilder fight? Can you stop all that from happening?
S. Cunningham
I’ve been getting counted out since I started challenging for a world title. I’ve been traveling to Europe fighting in Poland where nobody wants to go. Fighting in Germany, successfully defending my title numerous times, where nobody wants to go. South Africa, where nobody wants to go. I could care less about what anybody says. When I fought Marco Huck I was the five to one underdog and they threw the towel in on him in the last round. So I can care less about what anyone says. I’ve got to question myself to Antonio Tarver. He’s speaking about his respect for me and there is respect for fighters regardless before and after the fight.
But a lot of people who know fighters, they know that at a certain point in training camp a fighter is agitated, he’s ready to fight, and it’s time to fight. I’ve been at that point, so I’m ready to fight right now.
He’s trying to compare life woes. My daughter’s struggle and the struggle he said he went through in the past three years. Look dude, you can keep all the woes. You can take my daughter’s woes. You can take your woes. I don’t want them. Nobody wants those woes. We can’t compare that. I’m not into comparing life woes.
Now you say your life was hard in the past three years and nobody could understand; nobody could fathom. Have you been driving that Bentley you bought after the Green fight?
You’ve been driving in a Bentley. You understand what I’m saying. Have you made over $500,000 in the last three years? I haven’t. I don’t have a Bentley and beating you is going to get me that; you understand.
So don’t try to compare nothing that you’ve been through that will not stand up to a damn thing Steve Cunningham has been through in his whole career.
A. Tarver
With all due respect, I think you kind of misinterpreted what I was saying. I know we both got struggles and I respect that. And no, my struggles may not be personal like yours, family oriented, and I respect that too.
But what I’m saying that the struggle that I had to overcome to get back to where I’m at right now today. After I got suspended, I can just talk all day about it. Losing my job; losing the opportunity to commentate in the Olympics; that meant a lot to me.
S. Cunningham
But listen, we can go all day. We could trade back and forth all day like baseball cards. You had troubles; I had troubles.
A. Tarver
No income. I didn’t make no income.
S. Cunningham
We’re going to get in the ring and match skills. I don’t want to hear about your woes. I’m actually sick about talking about my daughter’s situation because it’s out there.
A. Tarver
But look dude, I’m just giving – I’m giving you the utmost respect on that because I’d understand if it was my daughter, I understand that’s out of our control.
S. Cunningham
Well this is another question I have for you then. Where does all this utmost respect come from? A few years ago it was all, who are you. You’re nobody. Come on man, let’s keep it real. No Tarver, let’s keep it real.
A. Tarver
I keep it real.
S. Cunningham
I’m not one of these smart-ass, trash talkers who can run they mouth and get themselves into some money. I fight to get my money, you understand? So you’re that dude who runs his mouth so much. You’re a professional mouth-runner.
Yes you’re a great fighter but then you’re also a professional mouth-runner. I’m a professional fighter, period. You understand? I’m not jumping in the ring on August 14 to beat the hell out of Antonio Tarver. Do you understand?
A. Tarver
Hey, that’s your mission. That’s everybody’s mission. But at the same time, I don’t understand where you’re coming from because I’ve been as quiet as I’ve ever been before a fight. I haven’t really been digging at you about nothing. I’m giving you the utmost respect because I know you’re a warrior. I know you’re coming to win, and I know I’ve got my hands full. That’s why I’m busting my ass in training camp.
If you ask me, I think you’re taking me lightly. You’re overlooking me. How in the hell you going to break camp and go to Vegas and commentate, like you’ve got it easy. You feel me? I wouldn’t break camp for you, but you going to break camp for me? Good luck August 14.
S. Cunningham
If you think me going to commentate for two days is breaking camp…
A. Tarver
You got a problem. You’re out your rabbit ass mind. You going to fly to Vegas and think you going to beat me August 14, you crazy. You out your mind. You distracted.
S. Cunningham
I was ready to fight when they announced it. Do you understand me?
A. Tarver
You don’t know what’s coming at your ass August 14. You playing.
S. Cunningham
Distracted? There’s no such thing as a distraction.
A. Tarver
You playing with it. I ain’t Marco Huck. When I knocked Danny Green out, none of them clowns wanted to fight me. I ain’t Marco Huck.
S. Cunningham
When you start looking like him in the 12th, then think about that.
A. Tarver
Whatever. Hey, enjoy your weekend in Vegas, bro. I’m going to be in camp. Putting on the fine touches – putting on the final touches to this great training camp I’ve had.
S. Cunningham
I’m going to enjoy it. I’m going to drink a beer. Man you going to be putting on final touches for a long time fat boy.
A. Tarver
Go to Vegas.
S. Cunningham
You need to be in camp for seven, eight, nine weeks.
A. Tarver
Ain’t nothing fat about me. Ain’t nothing fat about me, I’m just not a muscular toned guy. I knocked a lot of them out though. I’ve knocked a lot of muscular men out. Them the easiest muscles to box.
S. Cunningham
August 14. That’s it.
A. Tarver
Muscles ain’t never whipped me. I can’t believe you so irate.
S. Cunningham
I’ll see you August 14, my man.
A. Tarver
I ain’t even did nothing psychological. I ain’t even got to play the psychological game. Your mind is already gone. Your mind already blown. Just the thought of August 14, so it’s going to be easy pickings.
S. Cunningham
There’s no way in God’s green earth you could ever, ever attack me psychologically. I’m a war tested as a veteran of this country.
Q
I don’t know if you saw that fight, but tell me what you think at this point today, your advantages are over Steve given he’s proven himself in the heavyweight and other divisions.
A. Tarver
I wouldn’t say any advantage or anything. It’s just going to be two men in there and we’ve got to fight. I stand on my experience. I stand on everything I’ve accomplished in boxing. And I’m saying, whatever goes on in the fight, I’m going to figure it out between the 12 rounds. That’s what I’m saying.
I’m going to figure it out and I’m going to do what I’ve got to do to get the win. That’s all I’m saying. I’ve got the utmost respect for Steve and I keep saying that. Man this is one fight I don’t even have to be mad or even have to have no personal feelings towards nobody. This is just a fight that we’re in. It’s a business.
I’m not taking this personal, but I’ve got my work to do because I’ve got big dreams.
Ain’t nobody going to out-box me, period. The only way you’re going to beat me is to knock me out and that’s it. He got an opportunity to do that. That’s it. We’re going to fight and that’s the bottom line.
I ain’t got to cut no weight. I’m feeling strong. I don’t have the problems I had at light heavyweight. So I’m at my best and bringing it, period.
I’ve got the best defense in the game so, how are you going to hit me? I see it coming a mile away. Come on man.
The bottom line, I’m gone have to close my eyes for this guy to hit me because he ain’t going to be able to hit me with that basic stuff. You ain’t fighting no average fighter, you fighting an exceptional fighter dude.
You ain’t faced nobody like me. I don’t care nothing about all them European you’ve fought. I’m the Magic Man. I’ve got a thousand tricks up my sleeve and you it ain’t gone take but one to get your ass out of there, period.
S. Cunningham
You sound like you’re getting yourself up for the fight right now. Like you’re a hype man.
A. Tarver
I’m keeping it 100 with you Steve. I’m keeping it 100 with you boy.
S. Cunningham
Keep it 100 with me and let’s have this out.
A. Tarver
All the rest of the those guys you fought are basic robotic standup fighters.
Q
Speak on Tarver as you see the more fights that you watch, what the apparent weaknesses of Antonio Tarver?
S. Cunningham
The strength of Antonio Tarver is steroid use. Weakness is his mouth.
A. Tarver
Now that’s the most disrespectful thing. Because someone say you failed the test, that don’t mean nothing. You can go to GNC and get whatever you want. It may not be NFS certified.
But I spent my year. I did my time and that’s it. That’s behind me. That ain’t got nothing to do with right now. You looking for excuses already. Ain’t no steroids in my system bro. I don’t need no steroids. Never have, period.
S. Cunningham
The question was for me, now let me get my time.
A. Tarver
So I just don’t understand why you trying to shoot low. I can get off the phone man. I’ll see you August 14. I ain’t got time to go through this with you.
S. Cunningham
Bye. Bye.
A. Tarver
I ain’t got time to do this with you. Because that stuff you talking is beneath me.
S. Cunningham
I’ll see you in a few weeks, bro. See you.
A. Tarver
Beneath me.
S. Cunningham Bye, hang up.
Q
Tarver, one question for you big man. Now, what’s the strengths and weaknesses of Mr. Cunningham?
A. Tarver
Man his weakness is me. He fighting me. That’s his weakness. He ain’t got no weakness as far as boxing is concerned. He’s a complete fighter. He has the heart, he has the durability; he’s a strong fighter. He’s going to be there to win but he’s fighting me. That’s the difference from everybody else he’s ever fought, he’s fighting me; period. A hungry, determined, focused Magic Man.
S. Cunningham
But how you hungry and you driving Bentleys? How you hungry and you making over $500,000 a year? I ain’t see those numbers yet bro.
A. Tarver
I’m going to tell you because I’m not a prize fighter. I don’t fight for the money, I fight for pride. I fight for the glory of the game. It ain’t about no money. I make money. It ain’t about that. It’s about my name, it’s about my history.
This Hall of Fame run – this Hall of Fame run that I want to put the final chapter on my career. That’s it. It’s bigger than money Steve. It’s bigger than money.
Q
Antonio, is there anyone in particular that you would want to face, higher than your ranking, if you beat Cunningham.
A. Tarver
I want to face Wilder and Klitschko. I ain’t got nothing else to prove man. I’m going to prove it August 14. They know who I am. I’ve got five championships to my name. I don’t have to prove nothing. They know who I am and they know when I’m ready to fight, I’m going to tough out for anybody.
So I ain’t got time to be fighting all these non-descript fighters. I ain’t worried about ranked above me because my name carry weight. My name carry weight and that’s it.
Whatever I do on August 14, my next goal is to become the Heavyweight Champion because it ain’t nobody on they resume that they’ve faced that can add up to my name and my credibility in the game of boxing.
Not none of them guys that ain’t never won anything in they whole career. So I rest my case. August 14 everybody can see where I’m at. After that I want to chop down one of these giants and that’s it, period.
Q
Steve, can you tell the viewers honestly, what weaknesses do you see in Antonio Tarver that you think you can exploit on August 14.
S. Cunningham
The good thing about fighting a guy like Tarver is you – if you think you see a weakness than you’re fooling yourself. Like I said before in the beginning, respect is there most definitely. But fighting is fighting and getting prepared for a fight is mental and physical.
So our banter back and forth, that’s what fighters do also. But there’s no way I would disrespect myself to sit there and say that’s a weakness we’re going to exploit on Tarver. We’re going to beat him. You understand what I’m saying?
I mean and his strengths, like he said, he’s five time world champion. He’s a Fall of Famer already. He’s a great fighter. I think he’s a great fighter.
