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Tarver faces tough opponent

Reigning champion to take on undefeated rival Dawson

By Carlie Horsley Last updated: 4th September 2008

Tarver: Not complacent

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IBF and IBO light-heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver is set to defend his title against fellow American Chad Dawson later this year.

The 39-year-old's bout with Dawson (26-0) will take place at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas on October 11.

Despite being the reigning champion, having won the IBF belt from Britain's Clinton Woods, Tarver is far from complacent as he remembers the last time he was over-confident about an opponent.

The Florida native suffered a broken jaw and a dent in his 16-0 winning streak when he took on the relatively unknown Eric Harding in 2000.

He said: "I'm looking at this guy as a serious threat. The last time I overlooked somebody, I got my jaw broken."

Tarver had been pursuing Welsh fighter Joe Calzaghe but when he accepted a fight with Roy Jones Jr., Tarver looked towards undefeated 26-year-old Dawson.

Gary Shaw, whose company promotes Dawson, said: "We finally cornered Tarver."