Antonio Tarver vs. Steve Cunningham: Fight Time, Date, Live Stream and TV Info
On Friday night at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, Premier Boxing Champions returns to Spike TV. Two former champions collide for a chance to make one more run at a world title.
Spike boxing analyst Antonio "Magic Man" Tarver (31-6, 22 KO) faces Steve "USS" Cunningham (28-7, 13 KO) in a fight that could give the winner a shot at WBC heavyweight champion and fellow PBC fighter Deontay Wilder.
Tarver is a former three-time world champion, and Cunningham has held a world title twice in his career.
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While both men are past their primes, Tarver and Cunningham are skilled and hungry veterans looking for another world title to add to their list of accomplishments.
When: Friday, Aug. 14, at 9 p.m. ET
Where: Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey
TV: Spike TV
Live Stream: Spike.com
| 46 | Age | 39 |
| southpaw | Stance | orthodox |
| 6′ 2″ | Height | 6′ 3″ |
| 75” | Reach | 82″ |
| (22 KOs) 31 | Won | 28 (13 KOs) |
| (0 KOs) 6 | Lost | 7 (1 KOs) |
| 0 | Drawn | 0 |
| 58 percent | KO Percentage | 37 percent |
Fighter Speak
Cunningham draws inspiration from his nine-year-old daughter, Kennedy. Just last year doctors told the Cunningham family that Kennedy—who was in need of a heart transplant—wasn't eligible to be on the list to receive one, per Jesse Dougherty of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Things changed late in the year when the family was informed another hospital they had contacted had a heart for Kennedy. The family decided to do the operation, and the image below is Kennedy playing with her brother Cruz while their father prepares for Friday's fight.
Per Dougherty, Cunningham said: "If she can do that, I think I can do anything in boxing, in life. I always take that into the ring." On Friday, the 39-year-old former cruiserweight champion will be carrying an extra piece of motivation into the ring with him.
Faith and professional determination are clearly what drive the 46-year-old Tarver at this late stage of his career. His professional career began as a light heavyweight in 1997 after winning a bronze medal in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. After twice winning world titles at 175 pounds, Tarver has competed as a cruiserweight and now as a heavyweight.
Tarver is ready for the challenge he expects Cunningham to bring, per Jason Scavone of PremierBoxingChampions.com:
"[Cunningham] just lost a very close one. A lot of people thought he won the eliminator, so he was right there on the verge of a world championship. He’s a dangerous opponent who always comes in in great condition, and he’s going to be close to home. I’m focusing on looking my very best and being in the best shape I can be in to defeat Cunningham and move on one step closer to the heavyweight championship.
"
We could be in for another close one on Friday.
Last Time Out
The close fight Tarver was referring to was Cunningham's controversial unanimous-decision loss to Vyacheslav Glazkov in March. Many believed Cunningham deserved to win the fight, but he didn't get the decision.
Minnie Larry of 8CountNews.com said: "We are not sure how someone only scored four rounds for Cunningham. This is the second time that Glazkov has been given an early Christmas present."
With Cunningham perhaps winning the fight in the eyes of the boxing community, he was able to secure this bout.
Tarver didn't need any concessions after his last performance. The Magic Man stopped Johnathon Banks in the seventh round after flooring him in the second. The win was Tarver's second in a row and also his second at heavyweight.
What's at Stake?
With two fighters so deep in their careers and approaching—or in Tarver's case well past—40 years old, any fight could be the last. Beyond extending their careers, Tarver and Cunningham have a great chance to challenge for the WBC heavyweight title.
World championships in boxing are always special, but there's a certain mystique that goes with being the heavyweight champion. Any fighter who has a realistic opportunity to carry any of the four world titles would likely take a chance to carry the gold.
In separate interviews with Tha Boxing Voice, both Tarver and Cunningham talked about a chance to face Wilder:
Strategy and Prediction
Are both of these guys over the hill? Yes, but this still has the potential to be an amazing fight. Cunningham always brings it, and he'll have a significant seven-inch reach advantage over Tarver.
That said, there's no question Tarver is the bigger puncher. If there were questions about whether he would bring his power with him to heavyweight, his stoppage of Banks the last time out somewhat answered those queries.
Cunningham has proved to be a tough out. He's been down plenty of times in his career but only stopped once. That loss came at the hands of Tyson Fury in 2013. To win, Cunningham must establish his jab and keep Tarver at a distance.
Tarver understands the business of boxing. He has his sights set high, and he knows that winning by knockout would put him on a fast track to a title shot. If the fight is a slugfest, it favors Tarver. He's stronger and has demonstrated better stamina in his career—especially the latter portions compared to Cunningham.
USS has been known to engage in brawls when a pure boxing approach better suited him. It's easy to see him falling into that habit in this one as well. Because of that, Tarver is the pick to prevail in a fight that should get interesting around the third round.
Tarver will drop Cunningham at least twice before finishing him in the seventh round.
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