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FRIDAY Ahunanya's handlers say they have been promised a world title fight if their man can beat David Tua next year.
Ahunanya, a Las Vegas-based fighter, takes on Tua in New Zealand in March.
The big Nigerian brings durability, versatility and no lack of incentive for a fight that will be a launching pad for the careers of both ageing fighters.
Ahunanya's manager Luis Tapia claims to be well connected to the champion Klitschko brothers and says he has a gentleman's agreement with WBO, IBF and IBO champ Wladimir to for a title shot if his man can get past Tua.
"I speak to Wladimir on the phone all the time. I talked to him last week," Tapia said.
"This a is a big chance for us. Winning this fight means we will have a shot at one of the Klitschkos.
"He [Wladimir] promised me he will accept a fight if we win this fight."
Both Ahunanya and Tua have been dogged by inactivity in recent years. Tapia says Ahunanya has been badly let down by a US promoter but also believes other boxers have avoided him because of his awkward style.
Tua, with his experience and power, will be a hot favourite but Tapia has been calling out the Kiwi for some time and is adamant Ahunanya has the skills to beat the odds.
"Friday can knock you out with one punch or he can out-box you, whatever he needs to do," Tapia said.
"He has more dimensions than David Tua. David is a one-way fighter. He just follows you around, you get tired, you get caught on the ropes and he knocks you out. That's all he does and that's the mistake most fighters make.
"But clever boxers beat him – that's why Tua lost to Chris Byrd, Lennox Lewis and Ike Ibeabuchi.
"Friday has great footwork. He can punch and counter-punch, so he will be a totally different fighter. Friday will out-box him every round."
Both Ahunanya (12th round) and Tua (2nd round) have stopped Shane Cameron. With the cancellation of Tua's February fight in America, the Kiwi will pour all his preparations into the Ahunanya bout. Tua will bring his American trainer Roger Bloodworth to New Zealand to oversee his build-up.
Ahunanya's capabilities were acknowledged by Tua's global promoter Cedric Kushner.
"He's a big fellow, he's a good fighter – there's no doubt about that. He doesn't have the easiest of styles so it's a real contest," Kushner said.
Meanwhile, Tapia wants to get his champion women's boxer Layla McCarter on the undercard in New Zealand.
Ahunanya, a Las Vegas-based fighter, takes on Tua in New Zealand in March.
The big Nigerian brings durability, versatility and no lack of incentive for a fight that will be a launching pad for the careers of both ageing fighters.
Ahunanya's manager Luis Tapia claims to be well connected to the champion Klitschko brothers and says he has a gentleman's agreement with WBO, IBF and IBO champ Wladimir to for a title shot if his man can get past Tua.
"I speak to Wladimir on the phone all the time. I talked to him last week," Tapia said.
"This a is a big chance for us. Winning this fight means we will have a shot at one of the Klitschkos.
"He [Wladimir] promised me he will accept a fight if we win this fight."
Both Ahunanya and Tua have been dogged by inactivity in recent years. Tapia says Ahunanya has been badly let down by a US promoter but also believes other boxers have avoided him because of his awkward style.
Tua, with his experience and power, will be a hot favourite but Tapia has been calling out the Kiwi for some time and is adamant Ahunanya has the skills to beat the odds.
"Friday can knock you out with one punch or he can out-box you, whatever he needs to do," Tapia said.
"He has more dimensions than David Tua. David is a one-way fighter. He just follows you around, you get tired, you get caught on the ropes and he knocks you out. That's all he does and that's the mistake most fighters make.
"But clever boxers beat him – that's why Tua lost to Chris Byrd, Lennox Lewis and Ike Ibeabuchi.
"Friday has great footwork. He can punch and counter-punch, so he will be a totally different fighter. Friday will out-box him every round."
Both Ahunanya (12th round) and Tua (2nd round) have stopped Shane Cameron. With the cancellation of Tua's February fight in America, the Kiwi will pour all his preparations into the Ahunanya bout. Tua will bring his American trainer Roger Bloodworth to New Zealand to oversee his build-up.
Ahunanya's capabilities were acknowledged by Tua's global promoter Cedric Kushner.
"He's a big fellow, he's a good fighter – there's no doubt about that. He doesn't have the easiest of styles so it's a real contest," Kushner said.
Meanwhile, Tapia wants to get his champion women's boxer Layla McCarter on the undercard in New Zealand.
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