Boxer Antonio Tarver says he was SET UP -- claiming he never used banned substances for his August '15 fight with Steve Cunningham ... and claims he's the victim in a diabolical frame job.
Tarver was suspended 6 months by the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board for testing positive for a synthetic testosterone.
Now, in a video statement from Tarver ... the 47-year-old is calling BS on the positive test -- saying he took several other tests that same week and passed with flying colors.
In fact, Tarver says only the test administered by a company hired by the fight promoter tested positive -- and Tarver says he was set up because he's adamant he never took a PED.