By Mark Vester
At the Trusts Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand, David Tua (51-3, 43KOs) won a twelve round unanimous decision over Friday Ahunanya (24-6-3, 13KOs) to retain the WBO Asia Pacific and WBO Oriental heavyweight titles. The scores were 119-109, 117-109 and 120-108.
Tua came running out in the first round. Tua was stalking forward and looking to work his way in for some power shots. Friday was pawing with a jab. Tua presses him against the ropes and lets a few punches go. The round ended the same way but Tua landed next to nothing. In the second, Friday was working the jab. Friday was grabbing on when Tua would trap him against the ropes. Friday was moving, blocking and taunting Tua. FRiday was started to get brave by throwing some punches but most of them did not land. During the third, Tua tried to switch it up by throwing his right hand instead of his famous left. Friday was being cautious but getting in his punches during openings. Tua cotinued to press and bully him to the ropes.
In the fourth, Tua started unloading on Friday and had him buckle for a second. After Tua was done throwing, Friday let his guard down and began to throw his own punches and started to push Tua back. Tua went back to pressing and Friday stayed away and went back to boxing. In the fifth, Tua stated to target the body to slow Friday down. Friday was moving and trying to stay away from Tua's power. During the sixth, Friday was trying to keep the fight in the center of the ring. Tua would press him against the ropes often. He wouldn't stay there long. He moved and got away. Tua landed less but his punches were stronger.
Tua started picking up the pace in the seventh. Friday landed two good left hooks. Friday has a good chin. He was caught with Tua's famous left hook. He took it and contued to fight. The remainder of the contest went the same, with Tua on the hunt and the challenger moving in circles to avoid getting damaged.
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