Diablo Doesn’t Blame Tarver for Ducking Him
WBC cruiserweight champion Krzysztof “Diablo” Wlodarczyk (46-2, 33 KO) doesn’t blame Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver for stepping around him to take an easier fight.
Despite being offered a shot at Wlodarczyk’s prestigious belt, Tarver (29-6, 20 KO) will instead face the strong, but limited Lateef Kayode on June 2 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.
“I was not surprised by his decision,” said Wlodarczyk. “I said to my promoters, Andrew Wasilewski and Leon Margules, that a fight between Tarver and me will never happen. He is an intelligent guy and knows he has a very small chance of surviving 12 rounds with me. He realizes I’m too strong and too hungry for him. It’s that simple.”
A champion since 2010 with three successful defenses under his belt, Wlodarczyk says he is in a similar position to the one a young Antonio Tarver once found himself.
“I am looking for any of the big names in my division to fight me, kind of like how Antonio used to follow Roy Jones around and accuse him of taking easy fights while avoiding his toughest opponents. The shoe is on the other foot now though. Today, Antonio is an old man, too lazy to make his proper fighting weight, and looking to make money the easiest way possible against the easiest foes. Life is like a circle sometimes. Maybe if I’m between 40 and 50 and still fighting I will someday talk the same bullshit.”
Wlodarczyk says he’s not angry with Tarver, but offers him the following advice: “Good luck Antonio, but if this is how you are going to be, then forget talking about serious fights for serious titles!”
