Ex-boxer pardoned by Trump weighs in on president’s latest Diddy feedback

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Former professional boxer Duke Tanner remembers witnessing a homicide on his first day in jail in 2004.

"I watched the man stroll out the unit, blood seeping out of his neck. He dropped on the ground and ended up dying later," Tanner informed Fox Information Digital, recalling his ideas on the time.

"'It is my new setting. I acquired to outlive. I am not going to die in right here. I am not going to be him.'"

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He wound up in jail after getting caught in a drug trafficking sting operation whereas attempting to make extra cash for his household.

"I assumed it was a theft at first. So, once I noticed it was cops, I used to be actually at peace," he mentioned.

He was sentenced to 2 life phrases, ending his boxing profession and separating him from his household, together with his son, who was simply 2 on the time, for 16 years. He devoted his time in jail to embracing Christianity and taking over each rehabilitation program out there.

And Tanner remembers the evening in 2018 when he got here to the belief President Donald Trump could be the one who would finish his sentence.

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"I had a dream, and I awakened," Tanner mentioned. "I began writing a letter as soon as per week to the White Home after I had that dream, and, two years later, I used to be let go."

After being denied by former President Barack Obama in 2016, Tanner was granted clemency by Trump in 2020.

Final August, Tanner revealed a guide, "Duke Bought Life: A Boxer's Combat for Freedom and One Final Shot at Redemption," detailing his story.

After which simply final month, the previous boxer was granted a full presidential pardon. Tanner even visited the White Home to thank Trump in individual.

"I acquired to thank him, and he remembered my case. And he mentioned, 'Man, you had a nasty highway, however you bought a stupendous son. I hear you’re doing nice issues. And proceed the great work. I am watching you,'" Tanner mentioned.

Former boxer Duke Tanner was granted clemency by President Donald Trump in 2020 and granted a presidential pardon final month. (Courtesy of Duke Tanner)

Weeks after Tanner acquired his presidential pardon, Trump floated the concept of giving a presidential pardon to hip-hop artist Sean "Diddy" whereas he is on trial for intercourse trafficking.

Tanner, who admits he hasn't adopted the "Diddy" case carefully and is not "at liberty" to debate the rapper's fees, revealed how he would really feel concerning the concept of Combs getting a pardon from Trump.

"This administration goes to learn every bit of paperwork. They will get to the information. They will resolve every part. And if he decides to make that transfer, it is a constructive transfer, as a result of he went via the system," Tanner mentioned, referencing Trump's felony trial final summer season over alleged hush cash to grownup movie star Stormy Daniels.

"He is aware of what they did to him to try to make him a convicted felon, to make him get discovered responsible of all these counts. So, he is aware of the prosecution misconduct. He is aware of how they do it. He is aware of that it is a damaged system."

Tanner additionally prompt Trump's pardons are a way of holding these concerned within the felony justice system accountable.

"And he is attempting to point out them, 'You guys do y'all job proper, or I will come and repair it for you and embarrass you,'" Tanner added.

"So, with that being mentioned, if he decides to do it, evidently he noticed one thing, and he acquired the most effective legal professionals round him. … I am not at liberty to even converse on [the Diddy trial]. I do not know what is going on on. I am simply saying I do not care who it was. If the president mentioned that he needed to do it, imagine me, there is a cause behind it, and that the regulation wasn't dealt with appropriately."

Tanner mentioned he is aware of plenty of different people who find themselves incarcerated who he believes deserve clemency.

Duke Tanner with Donald Trump (Courtesy of Duke Tanner)

"I undoubtedly know there's so many women and men that want clemency to be set free of the system," Tanner mentioned.

Tanner has already witnessed one other president give a collection of controversial pardons within the final 12 months. Former President Joe Biden granted a collection of pardons earlier than leaving workplace in December, together with to his son Hunter Biden, who was on account of be sentenced for federal gun and tax convictions.

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"I heard about it. He freed his son," Tanner mentioned. "It might probably by no means be corresponding to my very own as a result of he by no means went to jail. He by no means even acquired charged. I did 16 years, six months and 21 days, taken away from my 2-year-old son. … He can by no means examine to the ache I went via. After which I got here house nonetheless combating for different individuals.

"What has [Hunter] executed? Have we even heard from him since he acquired the pardon? Did he even discuss it? Did he even thank his father about it? So, we will by no means examine a man like that to me."

Nonetheless, Tanner mentioned he is not offended by Hunter Biden's pardon.

Trump’s Justice Division is reviewing the checklist of individuals granted pardons by former President Joe Biden in response to new considerations about Biden's use of an AutoPen to robotically signal paperwork and considerations about his frame of mind in his remaining months in workplace, Fox Information Digital previously reported .

Tanner declined to touch upon the investigation.

The previous boxer is concentrated on persevering with to do neighborhood service and serving to his 19-year-old nephew change into a future boxing world champion.

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Jackson Thompson is a sports activities author for Fox Information Digital. He beforehand labored for ESPN and Enterprise Insider. Jackson has coated the Tremendous Bowl and NBA Finals, and has interviewed iconic figures Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, Jerry Rice, Troy Aikman, Mike Trout, David Ortiz and Roger Clemens.