Turning back the clock, American veteran Antonio Tarver secured a ninth-round stoppage over Danny Green, claiming the Australian’s IBO cruiserweight boxing title at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on Wednesday.
At 42, Tarver added this title to his collection of four light-heavyweight titles.
Demonstrating all the skill and experience from his distinguished career, Tarver was leading 88-84 on all judges’ cards when the fight was stopped.
He mentioned that there is a rematch clause in the contract, which he would honor if the Australian chose to invoke it.
“It’s up to them, but now I’m the champion, and it will have to be on my terms. We can do it in America,” Tarver remarked.
“Danny Green deserves a rematch.
“Having been a champion for a long time, if he’s prepared and ready to regroup, I’m open to fighting him again.”
However, Tarver refrained from advising whether Green should continue fighting, noting that boxers often change after facing him.
In the second round, Tarver knocked Green down and dominated him again in the ninth.
Dazed, Green stumbled around the ring, leaning on Tarver for support.
Seeing enough, Green’s corner decided to stop the fight.
Other than a strong seventh round, Green spent most of the fight on the defensive.
He was wobbled twice in the first round and would have likely been knocked down if not for the ropes saving him.
In the second round, a powerful left sent him crashing to the canvas with no escape.
Using his jab effectively, southpaw Tarver controlled the fight, while Green often found himself trapped on the ropes, unable to apply sustained pressure.
After the fight, Green expressed his disappointment to the audience.
“I faced a great fighter, and I couldn’t execute anything right,” he stated.
“Antonio is a remarkable fighter, and I respect that.”
Tarver acknowledged that Green had hurt him twice, but he remained patient and composed.
“From early on, he seemed unable to land the punches he wanted,” Tarver observed.
“I knew that once my defense was solid, it would be a challenging night for him.
“My strategy was to stick with my jab and work off it, but I particularly aimed to target his body shots.
“Whenever he got close, that’s precisely what I went for.
“I unleashed those body shots, and they took a toll on him.”
With this match, Green’s record fell to 31-4, while Tarver’s improved to 29-6.
by Buford Balony
