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David Tua has bulked up for what could be a punishing night against big American Demetrice King in their heavyweight boxing clash in Manukau on Saturday.
Tua has been about 102kg for his past three fights. There is talk he could be more than 110kg when he hits the scales at the official weigh-in at the fight venue tomorrow afternoon.
Tua admits there has been a mission to add some beef for what will truly be a heavyweight assignment against King, the 26-year-old who could exceed 120kg for this fight.
But it hasn't been about eating; it has been all about specific training under his new fitness adviser, champion body builder Malu Mainu'u.
Mainu'u, a personal trainer at the Les Mills gymnasium in Auckland, is a notoriously tough taskmaster.
The aim has been to add some bulk to Tua without compromising the movement he was developing under his previous American coach, Roger Bloodworth, and an area that his new coach, Chris Martin, has been keen to improve.
"It's the right sort of weight. Everything has been done to add value to what I do in the ring. I've trained really, really hard and I've had to make adjustments because it hasn't been my normal training," Tua said as he and King fronted a media conference in Auckland yesterday.
"The gym work was about doing uncomfortable things and we also turned our schedule upside down.
"It was hard work – there hasn't been an easy day's work in this camp. But I felt I adjusted. So I'm well prepared and now I just have to take advantage of this opportunity."
Tua didn't back away when asked about the importance of this bout coming after his lacklustre draw against Monte Barrett in New Jersey eight months ago.
"This is a big fight. It's must-win," said the 38-year-old who still hopes for another world title shot.
It's also a chance to finally clear the decks of his restrictive Maori TV deal and hopefully move on to bigger things in terms of opponents and pay days.
But the Tua camp certainly was not downplaying the assignment in front of them. They acknowledged the ever-present danger of King's power and a punch that has brought 13 knockouts in the Michigan man's 15 pro wins. Martin sounded that warning when he said: "You don't underestimate someone like him [King]. He's a young heavyweight who has taken on some big names. He's a dangerous man and that's how we have trained and prepared."
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They were words King clearly enjoyed hearing and echoed his feel for Auckland, the first city he has visited outside of the United States or Canada.
"I'm excited to be here and people have been very respectful to me, despite the fact I'm in his [Tua's] playground," King said.
"I've seen David over the years and I know what I'm up against – he has power, I have power. It's about who makes the first mistake and who capitalises on it."
- Stuff
Tua has been about 102kg for his past three fights. There is talk he could be more than 110kg when he hits the scales at the official weigh-in at the fight venue tomorrow afternoon.
Tua admits there has been a mission to add some beef for what will truly be a heavyweight assignment against King, the 26-year-old who could exceed 120kg for this fight.
But it hasn't been about eating; it has been all about specific training under his new fitness adviser, champion body builder Malu Mainu'u.
Mainu'u, a personal trainer at the Les Mills gymnasium in Auckland, is a notoriously tough taskmaster.
The aim has been to add some bulk to Tua without compromising the movement he was developing under his previous American coach, Roger Bloodworth, and an area that his new coach, Chris Martin, has been keen to improve.
"It's the right sort of weight. Everything has been done to add value to what I do in the ring. I've trained really, really hard and I've had to make adjustments because it hasn't been my normal training," Tua said as he and King fronted a media conference in Auckland yesterday.
"The gym work was about doing uncomfortable things and we also turned our schedule upside down.
"It was hard work – there hasn't been an easy day's work in this camp. But I felt I adjusted. So I'm well prepared and now I just have to take advantage of this opportunity."
Tua didn't back away when asked about the importance of this bout coming after his lacklustre draw against Monte Barrett in New Jersey eight months ago.
"This is a big fight. It's must-win," said the 38-year-old who still hopes for another world title shot.
It's also a chance to finally clear the decks of his restrictive Maori TV deal and hopefully move on to bigger things in terms of opponents and pay days.
But the Tua camp certainly was not downplaying the assignment in front of them. They acknowledged the ever-present danger of King's power and a punch that has brought 13 knockouts in the Michigan man's 15 pro wins. Martin sounded that warning when he said: "You don't underestimate someone like him [King]. He's a young heavyweight who has taken on some big names. He's a dangerous man and that's how we have trained and prepared."
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They were words King clearly enjoyed hearing and echoed his feel for Auckland, the first city he has visited outside of the United States or Canada.
"I'm excited to be here and people have been very respectful to me, despite the fact I'm in his [Tua's] playground," King said.
"I've seen David over the years and I know what I'm up against – he has power, I have power. It's about who makes the first mistake and who capitalises on it."
- Stuff
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