Antonio Tarver, Delvin Rodriguez & Vusi Malinga "Four Warned" Former light heavyweight kingpin Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver, hard-hitting world title challenger Delvin Rodriguez and IBF No. 1 rated bantamweight contender Vusi Malinga hosted a workout for the Southern California media at The Rock in Carson, Calif., as they wind down preparations for “Four Warned,” the upcoming June 2 Quadrupleheader which will be telecast live on SHOWTIME® (9:00 p.m. ET/PT) from The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
“Four Warned,” a rare four-fight SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast, features former Light Heavyweight World Champion Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (29-6, 20 KO’s) facing unbeaten Lateef Kayode (18-0, 14 KO’s) in a 12-round cruiserweight fight, former undisputed junior middleweight kingpin Winky Wright (51-5-1, 25 KO’s) returning to the ring to meet undefeated Peter Quillin (26-0, 20 KO’s) in a middleweight bout, Austin Trout (24-0, 14 KO’s) risking his perfect record and WBA Super Welterweight belt against Delvin Rodriguez (26-5-3, 14 KO’s) and IBF number one rated bantamweight contender Vusi Malinga (20-3, 12 KO’s) facing IBF number five rated bantamweight contender Leo Santa Cruz (19-0-1, 11 KO’s) for the vacant IBF bantamweight title. All four bouts are set for Saturday, June 2, airing live on SHOWTIME (9:00 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. “Four Warned” is presented by A.T. Entertainment, Golden Boy Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions with Trout vs. Rodriguez being presented in association with Greg Cohen Promotions and Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and Malinga vs. Santa Cruz being presented in association with Branco Sports Productions. The event is sponsored by Corona and AT&T.
Here’s what Tarver and Malinga had to say on Tuesday:
TARVER:
“When you’re fighting me, you have to have your emotions in check. It’s not checkers, it’s chess.
“I’m too old to run. I’m not going to go anywhere. I’m in this until the end.
“He’s never fought anyone with my speed, my power. The chin is not a muscle – when you get hit you get knocked out.
“He has a hell of a fight on his hands and I don’t think he’s prepared for it. He wouldn’t listen to my advice when I gave it to him [as a commentator] on ShoBox (The New Generation) and now he’s going to go back to school. I’ll teach him a few things on Saturday.
“A lot of people don’t realize what type of champion I am. You don’t become a five-time champion by accident. I’m going to add to my legacy on June 2.
“You can’t handicap me because of my age. The proof is in the pudding. I was too old when I started in ’96 and I’m too old now. I’m not stopping until I’m the heavyweight champ.
“Whatever he brings, it won’t be enough. The magic carpet ride continues on June 2.
“I’m not giving up until I win that heavyweight title. I’ll stop when I lose to a better man and that hasn’t happened yet.
“I got a few tricks up my sleeve and I’ll reveal one on June 2.”
MALINGA:
“Training was superb. We trained very hard for this fight. We arrived in the U.S. on Sunday and we are ready to go.
“I’m very excited to fight here and make my U.S. debut. I plan to show the fans what they’ve been missing.
“I don’t know anything about him (Santa Cruz) except that he’s right handed, but I’m preparing for anything. I’m very fit and ready to fight.
“It’s very important for me to win my U.S. debut. I must win in order to come back again and fight.”
