Former Light Heavyweight champion will come back to the ring on September 29 against Jonathon Banks in Hidlago, Texas according to Dan Rafael of espn.com
Also on the card will be the pro debut of Middleweight Antonio Tarver Jr.
“It’s a good fight, he’s a solid guy, and with the long inactivity a lot of questions will be answered,” Tarver said of his fight with Banks. “Totally stoked about my son’s pro debut. He’s a spitting image of a young me with a more aggressive, fan-friendly style with speed and power.”
“This fight with Banks will tell me if I have the ability at 45 to truly make a run and conceivably fight for the heavyweight championship of the world,” Tarver said. “My quest starts with a tough fight. Banks is a guy raised in the sport. He can box. He has skills. But it’s a challenge I got to step up to. I want this type of fight. I need to realize if I can do it. I believe I can. This fight is a step closer for me.
“I wish I had more activity, but I’m just glad to be back. I want to show I still have it. I know my brand took some hits (over the drug suspension). I’m not naive. But I still got fight in me and the passion to fight. I’m not a shot fighter. I’ve been training hard and I know I can still do this. I don’t take Banks lightly. If I’m victorious, I will just look for my next opportunity. I am coming back to make a statement, but I was never retired or anything.
Tarver is very much looking forward to his son’s debut on the card.
“He’s been training really hard. He started boxing about three years ago and we’ve been taking it slow,” Tarver said. “I see a transformation in him and I think he’s ready at this stage. It’s time for him to get going if he is going to make his own imprint on boxing.
“I didn’t want to force him to box but he had an itch to box. He’s been around boxing his whole life.”
Tarver Jr. had only a handful of amateur fights while his father had hundreds, was a 1996 U.S. Olympian and one of the most decorated amateurs in U.S. history.
“He’s had on-the-job training,” Tarver said. “He’s a quick learner. He took it upon himself to do this. He has determination. I’m not trying to push him. He wants to challenge himself.”