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Tarver Expecting No Breaks From Judges In Dec. 1 Fight

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By EDDIE DANIELS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 22, 2007

TAMPA - During last week's conference call leading into Antonio Tarver's Dec. 1 fight against Danny Santiago (29-3-1, 19 KOs) at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn., Tarver made no secret of how he felt about a handful of ringside judges.

"I know going in the judges aren't looking in my favor, so I know what I've got to do," said Tarver, who turned 39 Wednesday. "I've got to dominate and I've got to knock people out, so that's what I plan on doing. That's what I'm training to do."

Tarver (25-4, 18 KOs) pointed to his major-decision victory against Elvir Muriqi in June, his losses to Glen Johnson and Roy Jones Jr., and Joel Casamayor's split-decision victory this month against Jose Armando Santa Cruz as evidence of questionable judging.

ULTIMATE TEST: When Jeff Lacy and Peter Manfredo Jr. step into the ring Dec. 8 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on the undercard of the Floyd Mayweather-Ricky Hatton fight, both will be coming back from surgery. Lacy (22-1, 17 KOs) had surgery on the subscapular tendon in his left shoulder Dec. 8, while Manfredo (28-4, 13 KOs) had bone spurs removed from his left elbow in August. Both say they are ready for the ultimate test.

"I've been in training for the last five months, with rehabilitation of my left shoulder, making it to a point where I feel comfortable throwing it," Lacy said. "So it's been months that I've been in training camp, and I am really looking forward to my return to the ring. ... I'm not going to get into the ring unless I'm 110 percent sure that I can throw this thing with full force."

MUSIC MAN: Winky Wright won't be slugging it out for a belt in Vegas on Dec. 8; instead, he'll be looking to capture the ears of music lovers with his newly signed rock/pop group Radio Reset.

The Clearwater group, signed to Wright's Pound 4 Pound Records in October, will participate in a photo shoot with Wright on Dec. 8 at Round 1 Boxing Gym. The group will also perform Friday night at Hooters Casino and again Saturday night following the fight at an after party.

BALLROOM BRAWL: One Punch Productions will put on its latest installment of the Ballroom Brawl series Nov. 30 at the Westshore Doubletree Hotel, 4500 W. Cypress St. in Tampa.

The event begins at 7:30 p.m., with ticket prices ranging from $20 general admission to $75 VIP ringside. Doors open at 7. The card will feature Demarcus Corley, Willie Chisolm (5-1, 3 KOs), Carlos Rivera (10-3, 3 KOs), Lenroy Thomas (7-1, 5 KOs) and Adam Jaco (3-2, 1 KO), among others.

Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster locations or by calling (813) 503-8109.

NO BREAK: According to Will Thiery, who was supposed to be in the main event in the Veterans Day MMA event at the Forum, his match did not take place because his opponent did not come in at the contractually agreed-upon weight of 225 pounds; instead he weighed in at 254.9 pounds.

The event's public relations staff reported it didn't take place because Thiery broke his hand during training.

Reporter Eddie Daniels can be reached at (813) 948-4214 or edaniels@tampatrib.com.

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