Antonio Tarver is doing whatever he can to stay relevant in boxing, while continuing to collect checks.
Tarver tested positive for a banned substance prior to his fight with Steve Cunningham last August, according to SI.com.
It’s the second failed drug test in the last three years for Tarver, who tested positive for an anabolic steroid in 2012 before his fight with Lateef Kayode. That positive test earned Tarver a $2,500 fine and a one-year suspension from the California State Athletic Commission.
Tarver, 46, is one of the bigger names associated with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions series. Advanced drug testing was used for Tarver-Cunningham, per sources. When Tarver’s ‘A’ sample tested positive, Tarver requested the ‘B’ sample be tested. That sample also tested positive, per a source.
Tarver’s positive test was for synthetic testosterone, per two sources familiar with the results.
Any suspension for Tarver will come from the New Jersey State Athletic Commission. A call to New Jersey state athletic commissioner Larry Hazzard was not immediately returned.
Tarver has returned to boxing as a heavyweight, and had a possible big money fight with Deontay Wilder looming.