Twenty-five year old American Demetrice King has been confirmed as New Zealand heavyweight David Tua’s next opponent.
South Aucklander Tua, who's recovering from shoulder surgery following his controversial draw with Monte Barrett last July, fights King in Manukau in March, it was announced to media this week.
However, boxing pundits are questioning the credentials of Tua’s opponent. King has lost more fights than wins since turning pro in 2003 – 15 wins and 19 losses.
He won only one of his last five fights– an impressive second-round knockout of rising American-based Tongan Bowie Tupou, who had previously been undefeated. But that was in August last year and he has fought only twice since then.
"Built like a stubby tree trunk" was the description of King (1.8m and about 110kg) from one American commentator after his loss to Fres Oquendo in February for the vacant USBA heavyweight title but Oquendo eventually pummelled King into submission in the 10th.
There are some other credible names in King's history, however. He has fought Michael Grant, Shannon Briggs, Chazz Witherspoon and Kevin Johnson – losing to all four. But he gave Briggs, the former WBO champion, a big scare in their 2005 fight at Madison Square Garden in New York.
In a furious start to the fight, King put Briggs down three times before copping a king-hit himself and being knocked out late in the second round.
Billed as “David Tua’s Backyad Brawl, the March 19 fight is promoted by former All Black Inga Tuigamala.
The fight is the last on Tua's restrictive deal with Maori Television. If he can achieve a convincing victory he will be free to chase more lucrative fights that will include pay per view deals in New Zealand.
A rematch with either Hasim Rahman or Barrett would top that list.