ISSUE
Friday, August 22, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 73
Has the fight gone out of David Tua?
That’s the way it appeared as the 37-year-old local hero battled to a draw against American journeyman Monte Barrett in Atlantic City yesterday – but not before Tua was knocked down for the first time in his professional career.
Tua has been bidding for a second world heavyweight title fight shot and was expected to easily overcome the 39-year-old Barrett.
Cedric Kushner today told NewsTalkZB radio station that Tua would continue fighting in his comeback bid for a shot at the world title.
Kushner said Tua’s next fight was likely to be in September in Australia against an opponent yet to be naned.
Former Lance Revell today called on Tua to relinquish his quest for the world title, saying he did not want to see Tua get hurt.
Yesterday, Tua staggered Barrett in the second round and almost finished the 39-year-old American with a flurry of heavy punches in the fourth.
However Barrett boxed his way back through the middle rounds and then felled Tua with a clubbing left to the ear in the closing seconds of the final round.
Tua regained his feet but appeared to be a spent force and, with the Samoan-born Kiwi having already lost a point for a throw earlier in the round.
Tua threw heavier punches throughout and also scored consistently to the body of his taller opponent. One judge scored the bout 115-111 in his favour, while the other two marked the fight 113-113 for a majority draw result that saw Tua retain his WBO Asia Pacific and Oriental titles.
Barrett said the unfair result was typical of boxing and one of the main reasons he had chosen to retire.
"These are the things that cause a man to retire," Barrett said. "The sport of boxing is not pure like the fight is. I fought with all my heart. I gave it my all. There were times I felt I was on my last breath - but I came out here, I picked myself up and I did it."
In the curious world of professional boxing the result was both a step backwards and a step forward for Tua. While the debatable result means he can't expect to be promoted as a mandatory challenger, the fallibility he displayed won't have scared off too many potential opponents.
"It was one of those nights, I did the best I could," Tua said. "Things didn't go our way but I'm glad [the decision] went our way.
"I was trying to get it going. I was trying to work on my speed, the things I worked on the gym, but it seemed like nothing was going our way."
Has the fight gone out of David Tua?
That’s the way it appeared as the 37-year-old local hero battled to a draw against American journeyman Monte Barrett in Atlantic City yesterday – but not before Tua was knocked down for the first time in his professional career.
Tua has been bidding for a...
Has the fight gone out of David Tua?
That’s the way it appeared as the 37-year-old local hero battled to a draw against American journeyman Monte Barrett in Atlantic City yesterday – but not before Tua was knocked down for the first time in his professional career.
Tua has been bidding for a second world heavyweight title fight shot and was expected to easily overcome the 39-year-old Barrett.
Cedric Kushner today told NewsTalkZB radio station that Tua would continue fighting in his comeback bid for a shot at the world title.
Kushner said Tua’s next fight was likely to be in September in Australia against an opponent yet to be naned.
Former Lance Revell today called on Tua to relinquish his quest for the world title, saying he did not want to see Tua get hurt.
Yesterday, Tua staggered Barrett in the second round and almost finished the 39-year-old American with a flurry of heavy punches in the fourth.
However Barrett boxed his way back through the middle rounds and then felled Tua with a clubbing left to the ear in the closing seconds of the final round.
Tua regained his feet but appeared to be a spent force and, with the Samoan-born Kiwi having already lost a point for a throw earlier in the round.
Tua threw heavier punches throughout and also scored consistently to the body of his taller opponent. One judge scored the bout 115-111 in his favour, while the other two marked the fight 113-113 for a majority draw result that saw Tua retain his WBO Asia Pacific and Oriental titles.
Barrett said the unfair result was typical of boxing and one of the main reasons he had chosen to retire.
"These are the things that cause a man to retire," Barrett said. "The sport of boxing is not pure like the fight is. I fought with all my heart. I gave it my all. There were times I felt I was on my last breath - but I came out here, I picked myself up and I did it."
In the curious world of professional boxing the result was both a step backwards and a step forward for Tua. While the debatable result means he can't expect to be promoted as a mandatory challenger, the fallibility he displayed won't have scared off too many potential opponents.
"It was one of those nights, I did the best I could," Tua said. "Things didn't go our way but I'm glad [the decision] went our way.
"I was trying to get it going. I was trying to work on my speed, the things I worked on the gym, but it seemed like nothing was going our way."
Leave a Comment