Antonio Tarver, Steve Cunningham in crossroads fight

Even after he tested positive for a banned drug three years ago and was suspended for a year, Antonio Tarver did not believe his boxing career was over.

"I admit that there were some doubts," Tarver said. "I mean, who wouldn't? But I always felt inside that there was more waiting for me."

While the odds are long, he may be right. A 1996 Olympic bronze medalist, Tarver, 46, still hopes to become the oldest fighter to win the heavyweight championship. Tarver (31-6, 22 knockouts) began his professional career at the Blue Horizon in 1997.

Standing in the former light-heavyweight champion's way is Philadelphian Steve Cunningham (28-7, 13 KOs). Cunningham, 39, and Tarver will square off in a 12-round fight Friday night at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

Tarver weighed in at 217 pounds, Cunningham at 204. It is a crossroads bout with serious ramifications for both men. The winner will stay in the hunt for a possible shot at one of the heavyweight champs (Wladimir Klitscho or Deontay Wilder). The loser will almost certainly fall off the heavyweight radar.

"It's a huge fight for both of us and everybody knows it," Cunningham said. "It means everything to me."

Cunningham is trying to rebound from a 12-round loss by decision to Vyacheslav Glazkov. Cunningham is 4-4 in his last eight fights.

Tarver, an expectant grandfather and the father of professional boxer Antonio Tarver Jr., has not been fighting with much frequency. He tested positive for the banned steroid drostanolone after fighting cruiserweight Lateef Kayode to a draw on June 2, 2012. Tarver won his last two fights as a heavyweight, most recently stopping Jonathon Banks in December.

"Every fight is do or die for me," Tarver said. "I've come too far to start over. I'm on a destiny trip right now. I'm racing towards that heavyweight championship."