To say Tarver wasn’t pleased about the ruling would be an understatement.
Hillsborough County magistrate found Tarver in willful contempt of his child support order this week and ordered the champ to hand over the keys to his 2010 ML350 Mercedes to make good on his debt.
“How am I gonna get to work? How am I gonna get to training? How am I gonna provide for myself with no transportation?” Tarver asked.
“Sir, you have to remain calm,” replied Magistrate Mary Lou Cuellar-Stillo.
“How can I remain calm you’re taking my whole life from me? You’re stripping me of everything,” Tarver shot back.
The Mercedes — which Tarver values at around $19,000 — won’t even come close to covering his child support debt for a teenage daughter that now hovers around $750,000. The magistrate also ordered Tarver to hand over his championship Title belts and the Bronze Medal he won boxing in the 1996 Olympics so his ex-girlfriend Toni Rolle can cash in the mementos in lieu of child support.
Tarver insists he’s the victim of a child support system that has worked against him and the best interest of his daughter. “You’re killing me, man, really,” Tarver told the magistrate.
Last August he testified to earning $250,000 in a New Jersey prize fight with boxer Steve Cunningham. Despite that purse, Tarver only paid $12,500 to Rolle between then and now and claims he spent all the rest on more pressing needs.
“It went back to paying loans to live, to stay grounded, to keep a roof over my head,” Tarver testified. “I’m borrowing from Peter to pay Paul. I don’t have no money.”
His current financial troubles may not be limited to child support. According to a financial affidavit he filed with the court in December, Tarver hasn’t filed a federal income tax return since 2007. The affidavit states, “Back taxes, interest, and penalties are unknown.” He also owes a fortune due to property foreclosures in recent years.
Tarver has 5 days to hand over everything.