American Antonio Tarver is an Olympic medallist and former multi-championship-winning boxer who held the WBC and IBF light heavyweight titles, the IBO light heavyweight title, and the IBO cruiserweight title. After a spell as a respected analyst for the Showtime network, Tarver has recently announced his return from a six-year hiatus, competing in his first professional boxing match since 2015 against former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir. Tarver can also claim to be a film star, having played Mason Dixon in the 2006 movie Rocky Balboa, where he became one of the few fighters to beat Sylvester Stallone’s character.

Tarver’s rise to boxing glory began during his amateur career in the early 1990s. He was named national amateur light heavyweight champion in 1993 and 1995, became the world champion in the same category in 1995, won gold at the 1995 Pan American Games, and took bronze at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He finally made his professional debut in February 1997, beating Joaquin Garcia by knockout in 121 seconds. He went on to win his first 16 matches, most of them by TKO. He won his first pro title in 2002, beating world champion Reggie Johnson to claim the NABF and USBA light heavyweight titles. The following year, he beat Montell Griffin to add the WBC and IBF titles to his trophy cabinet. A 2004 victory against Roy Jones Jr. saw Tarver win no fewer than six light heavyweight titles simultaneously.

In 2012, Tarver began moving into commentary and fought what would be his last bout for several years in 2015. Now back in the ring, fighting to raise awareness of mental health, he will be looking to recapture his old magic.