This Friday, August 14, 2015, Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (31-6, 22 KOs) and Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham (28-7, 13 KOs) headline a Premier Boxing Champions event in a 12-round heavyweight battle.
Both men look to continue their climb up the Heavyweight ladder and can ill afford to have another setback.
The PBC on Spike televised coverage begins at 9:00 pm, EST/PST.
Read on for Round By Round Boxing’s staff predictions for Antonio Tarver vs. Steve Cunningham and let us know who you think will win.
Antonio Tarver
vs.
Steve Cunningham
Photo by Lucas Noonan/PBC
Tony Calcara, Staff Writer
Some would argue this bout should take place in a newly created “Senior’s Division” with Cunningham at 39 and Tarver at the ripe old age of 46. Somewhere out there, George Foreman stands proud. In fairness, the recognized kingpin of the division, Klitschko, is also 39. Fans with the “glass is half full” mentality would say, “Well, there’s an awful lot of experience there.” Indeed there is.
Tarver has not tasted defeat since 2009 when he dropped back to back losses to Chad Dawson. He’s won four of his last five fights with one being the infamous split draw overturned to a no-contest after a failed post-fight drug test. Cunningham, on the other hand, has lost 5 of his last 9 bouts and looked dreadful in his last fight against Vyacheslav Glazkov last March. He was woefully inactive and it cost him via a unanimous decision.
The old adage is that styles make fights. Tarver was never particularly a “busy” fighter, but he often got the job done doing what he needed to do when he needed to do it. At 46 he now, sometimes painfully, picks and chooses his spots for activity like a marksman who is low on ammunition. Cunningham’s lack of activity and punch output should play right into Tarver’s hands.
Cunningham must be busy, throw a lot of punches, and press Tarver into a fight that he is uncomfortable with. Given Cunningham’s recent performances, I just don’t see how he can pull it off.
I like Tarver by decision.
Prediction: Tarver
Sarah Gruber, Staff Writer
When looking at the matchup of Antonio Tarver vs. Steve Cunningham it is easy to think both fighters are past their prime, but the potential for a great fight still exists knowing both of these heavyweights are former world champions. This fight could give the winner a shot at WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, so I believe we will see great performance on from both fighters.
Cunningham’s loss to Vyacheslav Glazkov in March by unanimous decision was very controversial and I believe he will be fueled heavily from that making him even hungrier for a victory. On paper the reach advantage goes to Cunningham by seven inches, I think this will be the deciding factor as typically southpaw’s, like Tarver, are dependent on landing their jab with ease.
I don’t believe Tarver will be able to get past the long reach of Cunningham enough to be highly effective with his power punches.
Tarver’s experience will also be a great factor in this fight, as it is hard to out smart or frustrate a fighter with his type of experience. This is a 12 round fight and one can only wonder at 46 years old how much gas is left in Tarver’s tank? Will he have any power left in later rounds?
Prediction: Cunningham
Brandon Glass, Contributing Writer
Is it bad that I like Antonio Tarver more as a commentator than a fighter at this stage if his career? I haven’t seen the “Magic Man” in the ring since he fought Lateef Kayode. I didn’t even know he was still fighting. Makes me wonder if this is some kind of way of competing with Roy Jones.
Steve Cunningham is a solid, but aging fighter. He’s not elite or special but he’s got some athleticism, a decent punch, and the heart of a lion. He’s caught some bad breaks along the way and his run at Heavyweight hasn’t been the highlight of his career. That was at Cruiserweight. That fight with Tyson Fury proved it.
This is tough. Tarver is older than Cunningham (who is no spring chicken) but has more experience and has a great punch. The long bouts of inactivity between fights is daunting.
Cunningham is the bigger man with time on his side and a solid punch of his own, but he doesn’t take a Heavyweight punch well (evidenced by the Fury fight).
It may be a long shot, but I think Tarver squirts out the last few drops of Magic he has in the jar to win this with a big left hand.
Prediction: Tarver
Omar Martinez, Photographer
I’m picking Antonio Tarver to get the victory over Steve Cunningham.
Prediction: Tarver
Mike Burnell, Staff Writer
This is an interesting fight with the victor in position to potentially clash with WBC Heavyweight Deontay Wilder.
Antonio Tarver (31-6, 22 KOs) turned professional at the age of 28 after an excellent amateur career including an Olympic bronze medal.
At 46 years old, the five-time world champion is very well preserved and appears to have retained his elusive movement and power. Tarver also brings with him a slew of experience against an array of world class talent.
Steve USS Cunningham (28-7, 13 KOs) has certainly seen his fair share of action since turning pro in 2000, picking up the IBF Cruiserweight championship along the way.
The motivated 39-year-old Navy veteran has been in some entertaining scraps and been on the wrong side of some questionable decisions. If there is one thing you can bet on with Cunningham it’s that he will be in excellent shape and will give it everything he has.
It won’t be enough on Friday night, however. Tarver’s ring IQ and patience will make the difference as he stops Cunningham in the later rounds.
Prediction: Tarver
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Antonio Tarver doesn’t have a legitimate win under his belt in at least three years. He’s pushing 47 years of age and I think that he doesn’t belong in the ring with any of the marquee Heavyweights.
Steve Cunningham is not a marquee Heavyweight, but he’s been in the ring with better opposition at Heavyweight–especially in the last few years while Tarver has been developing a rotund physique.
Cunningham is no spring chicken, but he has to be active and make sure he forces Tarver to use his legs. I don’t think Tarver will get blown out of the water, but I do think that in the second half of this 12-round bout his body will betray him.
I think Cunningham puts together enough combination punching and movement to beat an over-the-hill Tarver.
Prediction: Cunningham
