Tweet
I always knew Ustinov had a bit of african in him
Anyways... who's looking forward to this freakshow next week?
Anyways... who's looking forward to this freakshow next week?
-
26Tua by KO/TKO50.00%13Tua by Decision0.00%0Ustinov by KO/TKO19.23%5Ustinov by Decision26.92%7Draw3.85%1The poll is expired.
-
They better watch out, they're stepping in Sam Peter territory.
Who necks! -
In typical cynical Earl fashion, he states that this is "freakshow." This is hardly a "freakshow" Mr. Hickey - sure, Tua's eons past him prime but this guy still has a lot of fight left in him. If you look at Tua's career in depth, it reveals that he peaked, and had his most success, in the 90's and then had long stretches of inactivity with intermittent fights here and there. Because of the inactivity, David Tua has been able to prolong his career. He hasn't been in too many wars and he hasn't had training camp after training camp.
That said, he's fighting a very dangerous foe in Alexander Ustinov. Ustinov is a behemoth of a man standing over 6'7'' and weighing around 300 lbs and is a top 30 heavyweight.
I don't really know what to expect in this fight. Are we gonna see the super explosive David Tua that blew out Shane Cameron several years ago? Or are we gonna see the version of Tua that was outworked by Monte Barrett over two fights?
Also, I've read that Ustinov has had a great training camp and is here to win this fight decisively.
It's an interesting battle and one that I think is worth tuning in forComment
-
it all depends on what tua does. if he is in decent shape & lets his hands go to the body Ustinov could lower hem hands... if tua doesn't let his hands go then it will be a jab fest for Ustinov...I could actually see a draw since tua has home field...Comment
-
Ustinov is a seriously **** fighter. Wouldn't be shocked to see him get knocked out after building up an early points lead.Comment
-
.................................
New lean, mean David Tua jacked up for fight
LEE UMBERS
A slimline super-fit David Tua is just six sleeps away from a fight that could propel him back into world heavyweight boxing title contention.
The knockout Kiwi and Samoan legend will have shed up to 50kg by the time he steps into the ring with Belarusian giant Alexander Ustinov in Hamilton on Saturday.
Tua, 40, says his training camp for the bout has probably been his hardest ever and he has undergone a "humbling transformation" in "the mind, the body and soul".
Looking lean and confidently relaxed when Sunday News spoke to him at his Kamp Tuaman gym in Auckland's Onehunga on Friday, Tua said he thought he had weighed up to 155kg before star trainer Lee Parore had begun his intense fitness regime eight months ago.
He aims to tip the scales as light as 105kg on Saturday. He came in at around 107kg for the 2009 Fight of the Century, when he destroyed Shane Cameron.
Tua says he hasn't been on a diet so much as eating clean.
"Smoked salmon, salad. A lot of kumara. Organic porridge in the morning, and then a few [protein] shakes during the day."
One of the most demanding parts of his shape-up programme has been daily Rocky-like runs around the Auckland Domain from as early as 4.30am.
"It's quite intense, anywhere from 45 [minutes] to an hour. Up hill, down hill, up hill, down hill. I'm not a runner, my structure shows that. But I do try."
Tua says because he has undergone a gradual weight loss he hasn't lost the brutal power which has made him one of the most-feared knockout exponents in world boxing history. But he would bring an all-round game plan on Saturday night.
With the bout billed as David vs Goliath - Ustinov is 2.02m, Tua 1.78m - the New Zealand great knows he has to have more than just his devastating left hook in his "slingshot".
"It's there . . . but I can't be concentrating on just throwing a hook. I'm a two-handed fighter, so . . . there's got to be more than one way to skin a cat, respectfully."
He has been sparring with two giant imported fighters, one at long range, one coming in close.
There has been no trash-talking in the build-up to Saturday's fight, and Tua plans to show his respect for Ustinov's respectfulness by trying his absolute best in the ring.
Tua is aware of the significance of the bout to his boxing future.
"And I think about everything that has been poured into this fight from the promoters, from the fans, the families, everybody that's worked hard in this gym, to prepare me well for this fight."
Ad Feedback
A win would potentially put him back in the top 10 heavyweight rankings, and one dream scenario would have him fighting next year for the world title. Tua, beaten on points by Lennox Lewis in his 2000 world title tilt, still hopes he may get the chance to fulfill his "destiny".
"Absolutely. There's always hope in the back of my mind that I'm hoping to get another opportunity.
"However, I'm a realist. This [Saturday's] is the only fight that matters [at the moment]."
A climb back up the rankings would mean bigger, maybe multi-million dollar, fight purses. But a philosophical Tua says "there's other ways to be financially secure as well. I'm the head cleaner here at Kamp Tuaman. So I have no worries.
"It's a blessing, it's a miracle I'm still involved with the sport of boxing."
He added jokingly: "And more importantly it's a miracle I can still spell my name."
Tua, who lives in his gym, knows there are more important things in life than money.
"I've got a roof over my head and a place to sleep.
"There are kids in [Auckland's] Starship Hospital who are fighting for their lives every day.
"There are a lot of unsung heroes out there who have done greater things than me. I'm just a fighter that's been given [the] opportunity to do what I love.
"And at the end of the day my real success [is] my two boys [sons Klein, 18, and Kaynan, 15]."
Tua would "love to get into the political arena" to help others and continue the legacy of Polynesian role models.
Asked his long-term goals, he said they were "to live life to the fullest and just trying to be a decent person every day".
- © Fairfax NZ NewsComment
-
I was really excited for Tua when I saw a pic floating around saying he's getting back in shape and he looked slim with his tree trunk legs. Then I saw a picture of him at a media day and he looked fat. Let's hope he's ready for this.Comment
-
War Tua!!
Comment
-
I can never get used to these Mickey Mouse belts. WBA "Pan-African" heavyweight title? Really?Comment
Comment