In the main event at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, heavyweights Antonio Tarver, 31-6-1, 22 KOs, and Steve Cunningham, 28-7-1, 13 KOs, fought to a split decision draw. The fight that both fighters had called must win, wound up being a tactical contest with both boxers fighting cautiously.
Cunningham built an early lead with his busier style, but Tarver began closing the gap with his heavier punches. Tarver didn’t throw consistently, but when he landed his punches counted. Once Cunningham felt Tarver’s power, he proceeded with caution and allowed Tarver to stay close on the scorecards. Tarver conserved energy every chance he could and just waited for an opening he could exploit. The result was a slow-moving fight that paled in comparison to the thrilling co-feature between Glowacki and Huck.
In the middle rounds, Cunningham went back to work, throwing more punches and widening his slight lead. Tarver continued to tire, but still managed to land occasionally.
A great exchange between the two was the highlight of round nine. Tarver kept Cunningham in the corner, got the better of the skirmish, and won the round. The shift in momentum continued in round ten and suddenly Tarver was gaining serious ground.
The last three rounds were close, with Tarver winning two of them on my card, which ended up 7-5 for Cunningham (115-113).
The official scores were announced as 115-113 Cunningham, 115-114 Tarver and 114-114 even. However, there was a mistake in the addition on one of the cards and that score was actually 115-113 for Tarver, not 115-114. Ringside Reporter had the fight scored 114-114.
“Cunningham is a durable fighter, but I showed him that I’m still here,” Tarver said after the fight. “I hurt my left hand early, but I hung in there and showed everyone that I can get in there and fight these younger guys. I thought I won the fight. I timed him all night and won the fight.”
“I’m the same man before and after the fight,” Cunningham said. “You won’t hear me kicking and screaming. I have nothing to be ashamed of. I’ll get with my team and my family and figure out what’s next.”
On the undercard . . .
Fringe heavyweight contender Artur Szpilka stopped Yasmany Consuegra in the second round of a swing bout after the Tarver-Cunningham main event. Szpilka hurt Consuegra early and Consuegra began complaining of a knee injury. That became worse after he was dropped in the second round. He rose and elected to fight on but when he got to his corner the fight was called off before the third round could begin. Szpilka, who has only lost once, to Bryant Jennings, is now 20-1 with 14 wins by knockout. Consuegra is now 17-2 with 14.
