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Danny Green - Source: Reuters -
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Danny Green says he has "no idea" whether Antonio Tarver was steroid-affected when the American fought and took his title last year and he bears him no ill will.
Tarver was stripped of the IBO world cruiserweight title he won by beating Green last year following a positive test to a banned steroid taken prior to his next fight, a draw with Lateef Kayode in the US three months ago. He has denied knowingly taken a banned drug.
West Australian Green was given the chance to regain that vacant title and he announced on today he will fight New Zealander Shane Cameron for it on November 21 at Melbourne's Hisense Arena.
Green admitted it was possible Tarver "dodged a bullet" as he was not drug-tested at their fight in Sydney in July, 2011, and he had felt the American's sudden and dramatic weight loss prior to that bout was unusual.
But he bore no malice towards Tarver and blamed his own bad performance that night for his defeat.
"Who knows? We had photos and he was next to the front-rowers of the NSW State of Origin (rugby league) team and he dwarfed them," Green said at his media conference in Melbourne.
"The disparity in weight was plain to see, and the fact eight weeks later he made the weight and maintained strength throughout the fight - who knows? He wasn't tested.
"I lost the world title. Antonio Tarver beat me. I had a shocking night. It's history. Now I get the chance to get my title back."
Should Green beat Cameron it would be the fourth world title of his long career.
Cameron, 34, has been angling to fight Green for more than two years after dropping from heavyweight to cruiserweight.
Cameron, who has a 29-2 record, last fought as a heavyweight, knocking American Monte Barrett out in July,
"It's bad for (Tarver), bloody good for me," Cameron said of the opportunity.
"I'm ready. I'm going there to win."
Melbourne super-featherweight Will Tomlinson will defend his IBO world title on the undercard against Panama's Irving Barry.