Friday Ahunanya pummelled his sparring partner in Auckland yesterday then declared total contentment with his preparation for next week's heavyweight boxing fight with David Tua.
The big Nigerian was in a menacing mood in the practice ring with Aucklander Lou Manusaute, a sparring partner chosen for his physical resemblance to Tua, albeit with a rather large stomach.
But it wasn't the body Ahunanya was concentrating on. He showed a good jab, fine footwork and a dash of power that ended with a vicious uppercut which caught Manusaute flush in the face, leaving him with blood pouring from his nose. That was enough for Ahunanya's trainer Luis Tapia to call time on the sparring.
Ahunanya went through three more rounds of handwork with Tapia where he showed his real power and hand speed.
He has clearly left the hard work back in his Las Vegas base where he has been through more than 200 rounds of sparring.
"I'm in the best shape that I've been in in a long, long time," he said.
"This was more for you guys, we don't need it," Tapia told the small media group invited into the session. "I told Friday to take it easy, he's not his level, he's just here to help. But you guys can see he's ready, his speed is very good and his power is phenomenal."
That was backed up by the 36-year-old Manusaute, who predicted Ahunanya could prove a handful if Tua doesn't get in with one of his trademark early knockouts.
"It will be a good fight. If Tua doesn't catch him by the third or fourth round it could go the distance," Manusaute said. "He has got some power and he's a nice guy to go with it."
Source: stuff.co.nz
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