Why didn't Mike Tyson ever fight David Tua?

[CatchAndShoot]

They had to have met at least once in the ring. They were both big names around the same time. Even if not prime, or near it, you'd think people would be clamoring for this fight.

Timing, or what? Why didn't they ever fight? Would've been one of the sickest matchups of all time.

[Accountoffline]

Because Tua, undeterred by any Heavyweights power including Ibeabuchi, Lennox, Wilson before Tua KO'd him in one, he would have probably ran Tyson rugged and traded and one thing we know about Tyson is he didnt like someone who traded back. I personally believe Tua would have Tysons number he punched harder and had a much more durable chin. Tyson would have to fight a fight he isnt used to and that would be hit and move all night, something Iron Mike was not a fan of.

[Weltschmerz]

I'd like to know too, the politics/circumstances behind this fight not happening.

[STREET CLEANER]

Wanted that fight to happen but there was never a moment that would had made them cross roads.

Tua hard puncher but more with the left hand. Depending how much Tyson had left would had dictated that fight. Tyson always did better with fighters that were not that tall

[La_Vibora]

Tyson was done at that point and coked out as well. Tua had became a fat plodding one armed fighter at the point that they could have conceivably fought. You would have have had to favor Tua at that point, but if you aviid legting Tua get his left hook off, he couldnt do much as at that point. The Tua that fought Ibeabuchi would have been tough for anyone, but imo he was never truly the same after that fight, hell neither was Ike who might have suffered from frontal lobe injuries due to that fight which made him go crazy.

[UNBIASED BOXING]

What the hell?

David Tua was up and coming while Tyson had his foot out the door already. In fact, Tyson was in jail for 3 years from 1992-1995, while David Tua started fighting in 1992. Tua fought his first "decent" opponent in 1996, while Tyson fought and lost to Holyfield that same year.

David Tua set his career back when he lost to Ike, and didn't get any decent fights until 1998. Tyson was simply looking for one last big payday, since he was already shot to hell.