by Johnny Walker

Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (29-6-0) defeated Danny “Green Machine” Green (31-4-0) today at the Entertainment Centre in Sydney, Australia, stopping him at the end of round nine to win the IBO cruiserweight title at the age of 42.

Tarver came out fast, and outclassed the now ex-champion, blasting him into the ropes with a hard left in round one, and then knocking him to the canvas with another thudding left hand in round two. Tarver continued to have his way through the first six rounds, trapping Green in the corners and strafing him with hard shots, looking like a man about half his age while doing so.

Green rallied in round seven and hurt Tarver with a series of body and head shots, and the Magic Man appeared to be hanging on momentarily. However, Green failed to keep the pressure on in round eight, and Tarver took back the momentum in round nine, finally unleashing a barrage of vicious punches near the end of the round that bloodied Green’s face and left him dazed and confused, wobbling around the ring as the bell sounded.

Green’s corner had seen enough, and stopped the fight before round ten.
An elated Tarver dedicated the thrilling victory to his old Showtime boxing colleague, the late Nick Charles. “This is for you, Nicky, I love you man,” said Tarver. “He hurt me a couple times, but I fought with heart, and I didn’t give up.”

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