Frank Mir to box Antonio Tarver on undercard of Ben Askren-Jake Paul pay-per-view event

MMA News

Frank Mir to box Antonio Tarver on undercard of Ben Askren-Jake Paul pay-per-view event

Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir is stepping into the boxing ring.

Mir (19-13 MMA) on Thursday announced that he’s taking on former WBA, WBC, IBF and IBO champion Antonio Tarver (31-6-1 boxing) as part of the upcoming Triller Fight Club pay-per-view event featuring Ben Askren and Jake Paul on April 17 at an as-yet-undisclosed location.

Tarver, 52, last saw action in 2015, fighting to a split draw with former IBF cruiserweight champion Steve Cunningham.

The 6-foot-2 southpaw won a bronze medal in the 1996 Olympic Games and then turned pro in 1997. He is perhaps best known in his professional career for a trilogy series with Roy Jones Jr. but spent time as a light heavyweight champion for multiple organizations during his 18-year professional career that also saw him face opponents such as Chad Dawson, Danny Green and Bernard Hopkins, among others.

Tarver also starred as Mason “The Line” Dixon in the 2006 film “Rocky Balboa.”

Mir, who was already prepping for a boxing debut of sorts after signing with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship this past September, talked about the Tarver booking with his “Phone Booth Fighting” podcast co-host Richard Hunter, which you can see in the video above.

“Everybody knows I’ve been signed to BKFC, so I’ve been in the gym working a lot of boxing because of bare-knuckle,” Mir said. “An opportunity arose where somebody arose where somebody was kind of like, “Hey, would you do a full boxing match against a former world champion?” I was like, ‘Absolutely.’ I’m up for challenges. I think obviously it forces you to push yourself and extend. At the end of the day, it makes me a better warrior all around – and a better coach for (my daughter) Bella. It got presented to me. April 17, would I be willing to take on former light heavyweight champion of the world Antonio Tarver.”

Mir last competed in MMA in October 2019, picking up a decision win over Roy Nelson at Bellator 231. Known as a submission specialist throughout his 20-year MMA career, the 41-year-old Mir said he understands that while he brings name value to the matchup, he’s clearly the B-side in terms of boxing pedigree.

“Antonio Tarver hasn’t fought in a few years,” Mir said. “It’s very reminiscent of my first UFC fight. I think I’m obviously being brought in on the B-side. It’ll be my first professional boxing match. I’m known in MMA for more of my grappling than I am for striking. I’m somebody (that brings) a name and am maybe not dangerous to him on the surface. Hopefully, I’ll train hard and prove them wrong. As of now, I’m not going to make any illusions about it. This is probably a safe warm-up fight in their minds from what their corner is looking at and who they’re going to face.”

While a location for the card has yet to be revealed, Mir said he believes the contest will take place in either Georgia or Florida.

Frank Mir to box Antonio Tarver on undercard of Ben Askren-Jake Paul pay-per-view event