Former boxer Duke Tanner recalls the shocking experience of witnessing a murder on his first day in prison back in 2004. “I saw a man with a severe neck wound who ended up collapsing on the floor and later died,” he shared, reflecting on that moment. He thought to himself, “This is my new reality, and I have to survive. I refuse to become another victim here.”
Tanner got into a drug trafficking operation while trying to provide for his family. Initially, he thought he was caught in a robbery and felt a strange sense of calm when he thought it was a police officer coming for him.
Sentenced to two life terms, Tanner’s boxing career ended abruptly, which separated him from his family, including his young son. During his time in prison, he turned to Christianity and engaged in available rehabilitation programs.
In 2018, he was overjoyed when he learned from President Donald Trump that he would have his sentence shortened. “I had this dream, and then I woke up. It inspired me to start writing letters to the White House once a week. Eventually, after two years, I got out,” he recalled.
Earlier, in 2016, Tanner received clemency from former President Barack Obama, and ultimately, Trump granted him a presidential pardon in May. He visited the White House to express his gratitude, where Trump remembered his story and praised Tanner for overcoming adversity.
After receiving his pardon, Tanner published a book titled *Duke Gott Life: One of the Final Shots of Boxers’ Battle for Freedom and Redemption*, sharing his journey. He noted that shortly after his pardon, Trump considered offering a pardon to rapper Sean “Diddy,” who was facing legal issues. Tanner, although not closely following the case, voiced that the administration would thoroughly review the facts before making a decision.
“I believe that if the president decides to grant a pardon, then there’s a solid reason behind it. The system often fails people, and he’s trying to address that,” Tanner explained. He feels that many individuals in prison, like himself, deserve a second chance.
Tanner acknowledges having seen the previous administration’s controversial pardons, including that of Joe Biden’s son, Hunter. “I heard about that. He was never locked up, so how could he know what it’s truly like?” Tanner remarked, reflecting on his own experience of being separated from his son for over 16 years.
Nevertheless, he stated he’s not bitter about Hunter Biden’s pardon. Tanner didn’t comment on the investigations regarding the last administration’s pardons but remains focused on giving back to the community and helping his 19-year-old nephew strive for boxing greatness.
