Tarver: Klitschko is fighting tomato cans, I bring excitement and credibility

Antonio Tarver stopped Johnathon Banks tonight on ESPN2, and after the fight, spoke with the network's Bernardo Osuna, calling out the likes of Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye.

On why he should be in the mix at heavyweight

"Bottom line, I'm a star. I've got the résumé, I've got the credentials, I have the experience. I don't know why these guys, these premier heavyweights, that's supposed to be putting it all on the line against somebody with my credibility, they want to turn their nose up, like David Haye, Wladimir Klitschko. Nobody's got the experience I've got to fight Wladimir Klitschko. He's fighting these tomato cans, man. He's not facing nobody. But guess what? I've got 12 rounds to do my work, and all I need is an inch, baby, and it's goodnight, Irene. Because I'm punching now. I'm a knockout artist. That's the type of action you're gonna see. You might boo and boo, but when I drop that hammer, it's goodnight, Irene, baby. That's what we're bringing to the heavyweight division: excitement."

On whether or not he wants to fight Deontay Wilder

"I want to become the oldest fighter to ever win the heavyweight champions, so anybody who got that heavyweight title, they got a mark on their chest. They're a marked man. That's it. That's my mission, and that's my destiny. I will become the heavyweight champion of the world."

On his performance tonight

"I didn't get tired. I listened to my coach. Johnathon Banks is a crafty guy. It takes time sometimes. I'm not fixing to go out here and risk getting caught with a big guy punching at me. I felt his power. You gotta be smart. Boxing ain't about how big your muscles are. It's about thinking. It's chess, not checkers. I'm gonna get the job done inside the distance, but I tell you what, if they feel my power, they're gonna shake. And when they shake, I'm closing the show. I'm a closer. Check my résumé. I'm a closer, baby."