Man Who Defeated Rocky Balboa Will Now Fight as a Heavyweight

Former light heavyweight champion Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver announced last week he will return to the ring soon as a heavyweight.

“I definitely wanted to move up to cruiserweight (200 pounds) where there was one guy in particular that I wanted to fight,” said Tarver, 41, a southpaw who captured a bronze medal as a light heavyweight at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

“So I feel that if I’m going to stay in the game of boxing and give it my all, then I’ve got to set big goals for myself. And as you see, I’m looking a little full now.”

Tarver (27-6, 19 KOs), a decent fighter who is mainly known for beating Roy Jones and the fictional Rocky Balboa as Mason “The Line” Dixon, continued to layout his plans and delusional aspirations.

“So I’m going to put on some muscle and the champ is going heavyweight,” said Tarver, who will target the Klitschko brothers, WBO and IBF titlist Wladimir (54-2, 48 KOs), WBC king Vitali (39-2, 37 KOs)and WBA champ David Haye (24-1, 22 KOs).

“So, to the Klitschko’s and to David Haye, be on the lookout, because I’m coming.”

Neither Klitschko brother or Haye has anything to worry about.

Tarver is an old bag who has zero chance to create any excitement in boxing’s once-glamorous division.

“He should’ve retired after he beat Rocky,” said Brad Sherwood, 30, a personal trainer at Gold’s Gym in Medford.

Corrupt boxing officials should draw “The Line” and prohibit Tarver from again competing as a prizefighter.