Thomas Hauser interview on David Tua -- TVNZ

TVNZ.co.nz

Full transcript of Craig Stanaway's interview with boxing writer Thomas Hauser about David Tua.

Craig Stanaway: David Tua fought Friday Ahunanya this week in New Zealand. Now, I've rung you for an impartial view because of all the hype about these kind of things. Cedric Kushner was talking about it being a world title eliminator. Everyone was talking about it as how David needed to make a statement, he needed to knock out a durable guy who had never been knocked out before for America to be interested in him again but I understand as well that this figtht wasn't even shown in the States - so from your perspective, where is David Tua in America's eyes at the moment?

Thomas Hauser: David Tua was once an elite heavyweight (but) there is no reason to believe he is anymore. It has been a long time since he fought a quality heavyweight.

What he's done in recent years is either be inactive, fight guys who are ageing like himself or fight guys that just don't have a chin and not very good to begin with.

And there's no reason to believe at the present time that he would be a credible challenger to either Klitchko. There's the hope among David's partisans, Vladimir has a suspect chin, David could wack him on the chin and knock him out but David has not shown great power in recent years, in this fight this past weekend and I just don't see it.

Maybe he'll get it together, get his timing and co-ordination back, the last thing you lose is your punch. Could this be an eliminator for some phoney belt? Sure and I wish David every success but right now there's no reason to believe he's a credible challenger for the honour of being the best heavyweight in the world.

One of the problems boxing has today is that there are so few real champions. We have four sanctioning bodies, four heavyweight champions or maybe it's three heavyweight champions now depending on how you count them which is a little bit like having three kings of England or three gold medal winners in the hundred yard dash at the Olympics... it doesn't work but the general consensus is that Vladimir and Vitali Klitchko are the two best heavyweights in the world, and off his most recent performance David might get a title opportunity but he really hasn't done anything to suggest he could beat either one of them.

He certainly couldn't beat Vitali and whether he could wack Vladimir on the chin and knock him out? I don't know.

CS: So from your perspective, David really to be a credible heavyweight in America again, has to in the next six months do what?

TH: Well it's difficult because there are so few credible heavyweights out there but let's get out there but let's say David came over here and fought Chris Areola who is a solid heavyweight, not a great one by any stretch of the imagination but if David fought Chris Arreola, which would be a very good fight by the way, and beat him, then I would say then..... okay! he's got some credibility.

I suppose if he got a shot at David Haye and beat him... sure that would give him some crediblity, maybe even Thomas Adamek who's a small heavyweight who's fighting Arreola but to fight retreads... he's not even fighting hasbeens, he's fighting guys who never were and that's a far cry from the David Tua who could knock out guys like John Ruiz and Hasim Rahman and Oleg Maskaev with one punch.

There was a time when David had the great equaliser and I'm not sure that he does anymore.

I did notice that he came into this fight at what for David has become a relatively low weight... that's a good sign that he's taking his training seriously but to say that he's an elite heavyweigh now... that's just not the way people feel over here.

CS: Can Cedric Kusher set him up with a Chris Areola?

TH: There are good fights for David that can be made, the first question is does David want to fight somebody of that level?

I'm sure that he'll say that he does but whether he's willing to sign on the dotted line is another matter.

My sense is that if Chris Arreola beats Thomas Adamek, that would be a very entertaining fan friendly fight because both David and Chris are going to sit there and throw punches, there are going to be bombs.

Both guys have pretty good chins and that's a fight I'd like to see and the winner of that fight would then have some credibility

CS: He's only fought 14 rounds in the last 12 months. Has he got enough rounds under his belt yet to take on someone like that though?

TH: The issue is not just how many rounds a guy has fought in actual fights. The first question is one of lifestyle. How has David been feeding his body? Has he been in the gym regularly? Has he been working hard in the gym?

You know you can have four fights in a year and knock your guy out in four rounds, four rounds, three rounds and everyone says you're great, you've only fought 14 rounds.... the bigger question is David sharp? Does he stay in shape? Does he let himself go in between fights? What's he done? What is he capable of doing now?

We don't know the answer to that. David was once a very very exciting fighter. He could get in there with the likes of Michael Moorer for example which is a name we haven't mentioned yet in this conversation and whack him out in one round.

I haven't seen that sort of energy from him recently. I don't think Shane Cameron belongs on that level.... David could still wack me out in the first round too, very easily the first 10 seconds but that wouldn't mean he's an elite heavyweight.

CS: Friday Ahunanya's been sold in New Zealand as a credible heavyweight... a durable heavyweight.... a person who had never been knocked out and that was the drawcard particuarly because Shane Cameron was a big name in New Zealand and Friday Ahunanya knocked out Shane Cameron. Is Friday all he's made out to be in America or is he just another B class fighter?

TH: Friday's not made out to be anything in America. Friday here is regarded as an opponent. Friday is not a great American fighter. Name one world class fighter that Friday's ever beaten

CS: He's done plenty of sparring rounds with them but he actually hasn't got into the ring

TH: Its one thing to be a sparring partner for an elite fighter and its another thing to get in and fight him. And to my knowledge and I don't have Friday's record in front of me and anyone who gets in the ring is deserving of respect and I'm sure that Friday is a competent club fighter but I've never heard anyone suggest seriously and credibly that he's a world class fighter and again, if he's a world class fighter name me a world class fighter who he's beaten?

CS: You mention the Klitchkows...David still has the problem of his size compared to people like that...Isn't that still going to be a mismatch?

TH: That depends. Mike Tyson was David's size and when Mike Tyson was in his prime nobody would have said Mike Tyson against the Klitchkos was a rematch.

I asked David once, years ago, if size would be a problem for him if he fought one of the Klitchkows and he says no, it's not, it's like making love, you know, when you and a girl are in bed together, you are both really the same size.

That said, sure it would be a problem, both have pretty good jabs, both keep him away.

One of the challenges David would face would be to get inside and once he got inside be able to launch that great left hook of his and land it on the jaw. I'm not sure he could do that.

Against Lennox Lewis when David was in his prime, David had trouble getting inside with a big tall fighter who could jab

CS: Thomas, just very quickly, sorry to keep this up, David currently has a WBO ranking of three, does that entitle him (to anything)?

TH: The rankings are silly and by that I don't just mean David's ranking is silly, most of the rankings are silly.

The WBO had a very notable incident a couple of years ago, they had a fighter named Darren Morris who was ranked number 7, I think it was in the super-middle weight divison and Darren Morris died. The next month he went from 7 to 6 and the month after that he went from 6 to 5 in the rankings and I suppose if nobody had noticed and pointed it out to the WBO he would eventually have became the mandatory challenger...the rankings are silly.

The rankings indicate influence in economics and occasionally what somebody accomplishes in the ring.

You know I like David, I think David is fun to watch but to say that he's the fourth best heavyweight in the world which is what a number three ranking would mean, the champion being not ranked, isn't really credible at this point. Knowing the WBO I wouldn't be surprised that the one or two spot is vacant, I don't know that it is but it might be, the rankings are silly.

CS: So where would you rank David Tua at the moment in the heavyweight division?

TH: I have to see David Tua against a credible opponent and then I will tell you.

I haven't seen his most recent fights so it would be hard for me to tell you where I would put him exactly.

Lets face it... the heavyweights today are not very good but my sense is there are a lot of heavyweights today who could outbox David like Chris Byrd did years ago and at this point there might even be guys who can out punch him.

I would like to see David have a credible fight against a dangerous opponent and he hasn't had that in a long time so let David fight someone like Chris Arreola or Thomas Adamek or other guys out there who can bang a little.

That would be a very fan friendly entertaining fight.

Let's see what David does in those fights, now they're possibly matching him against Hasim Rahman again. Well Rahman just fought a guy who is 43 years old and has lost 16 fights every single one of them by knockout, to put two old guys who were once elite fighters against each other doesn't prove that one of them is still elite, they might have name recognition but lets put David in who's currently a world class heavyweight and then if he wins that fight then we can talk about someone who's deserving of another shot at the title.

CS: Thomas, thank you so much for talking to me, I really genuinely appreciate it. It's a privilege and a pleasure.

Source: tvnz.co.nz

Tua - all the way -- New Zealand Herald

By Steve Deane, New Zealand Herald

David Tua cruised to a comfortable points victory over Friday Ahunanya in Auckland last night but the dreary performance would have done little to promote his world title prospects.

Nigerian Ahunanya carries the moniker "The 13th"'. As in Black Friday. But Good Friday - a day when everything is shut and not much happens - would be more appropriate.

Ahunanya hardly fired a shot. His strategy seemed to consist of backing on to the ropes, taking a few body shots and then slipping away to make the stalking Tua track him down all over again. Occasionally he offered a stiffish jab, but little more.

Tua went about his work efficiently enough to take a unanimous points victory, but his foe was slippery enough to avoid serious punishment.

Ahunanya had been inactive for more than two years before this fight. Some would say that stretch remains unbroken.

But after the fight, he presented a different view.

"I did what I had to do, I thought I won the fight," he said.

His trainer Luis Tapia agreed.

"This is bad for the sport," Tapia said. "We won every round, Friday won every round."

That opinion was at odds with the score cards. One judge gave Tua every round (120-108) and the other two did not score it as even close.

More than 18 years have passed since Tua marked his professional debut with a 37-second demolition of American Ron Humes in Virginia.

Today, he is is a vastly different physical and mental specimen from the 19-year-old who stepped on to the pro stage in such devastating fashion.

But some things haven't changed. He hasn't lost his power, nor seemingly much of his speed. But neither has he grown the extra 30cm that would enable him to fight on more even terms with the likes of Ahunanya.

Last night's fight asked an important question of Tua. Was his effort against Shane Cameron a one-off, a case of an ageing lion roused into one final roar by a yapping hyena?

Or is his continuation, as he likes to call it, the real deal?

It's probably for real, but last night's snore fest will have added a dose of reality to the world-beater tag he took by dealing to Cameron.

The next question for Tua is whether he can sustain the sort of momentum needed to push him into the frame for a title shot at WBO champ Vladimir Klitchko.

He went into last night's fight ranked third by the WBO. But the near seven months that have passed since his demolition of Cameron did little to keep his name in the title shot frame.

Last night's victim, Ahunanya, was unranked. The victory was little more than was expected of Tua, and will have simply kept him treading water.

Tua needs to get busy against some higher-calibre opponents.

On the politics side, not much has changed. Tua is committed to two more fights for Maori TV. The lack of pay-per-view revenue means those contests will probably be small-beer affairs.

Another option for Tua is to hit the road and fight overseas, but he has shown a reluctance to do that, pulling out of a planned February fight with former champion Bruce Seldon.

So once again it is a case of watch and wait. The clock is still ticking for the 37-year-old Tua.

But last night's effort at least suggested his time isn't about to run out any time soon.

Source: nzherald.co.nz

David Tua wins unanimous points decision -- Stuff

 By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE, Stuff.co.nz

David Tua's comeback remains very much alive after a hard-fought but deserved points decision over Friday Ahunanya in west Auckland on Wednesday night.

Tua got good reward for being the constant aggressor in the fight although he couldn't land his trademark knockout with Ahunanya fulfilling his promise of durability.

Tua landed constant shots although struggled to get through the tight defence of the big Nigerian for the killer blow.

The card gave it to Tua 109-119, 109-117 and 108-120 for a unanimous decision.

Tua holds on to his WBO Asia Pacific and Oriental heavyweight belts.

This was seen as a dangerous fight for Tua but he was rarely troubled.

He was busy throughout, he went hunting Ahunanya and he ultimately gained a comfortable win.

This was a clean fight with Australian referee Gary Dean reduced to being another spectator at the sold out venue at Trusts Stadium.

Tua might be disappointed at failing to floor his opponent but his corner had spoken of the value of getting some rounds in and he certainly got that.

He worked hard with his right, particularly to the body of Ahunanya and he also managed to score with his hook occasionally.

Coming on top of his two-round demolition of Shane Cameron last October this was a solid performance from the New Zealand heavyweight.

The win left Tua's record at 51 wins (43 by KO), a draw and three losses.

The big question is where to from here for a 37-year-old fighter who still has major ambitions for a world title but is stalled by a prohibitive deal with Maori Television.

There could be calls for a rematch which would be an easy option given the persistent struggles to provide opponents.

But pressure will be for his global promoter Cedric Kushner to work around this and come up with a worthy opponent.

Kushner believes Hawaii remains a workable venue and wants to see Tua in action again within two months. But the search now starts in earnest to find a willing and credible fighter who will help manoeuvre Tua into a better position to a tilt at a title.

One that could provide a pay-per-view audience in the lucrative United States market would also help.

Tua earned $200,000 for this win - peanuts in global terms.

But this latest result will have done Tua no harm in terms of his important WBO ranking which is No 3 on a list headed by champion Wladimir Klitschko.

Ahunanya is left with a his sixth loss from 33 fights and after two years in the wilderness it will be interesting to see if he can rebuild his career from here at the age of 38.

Earlier, Tua's sparring partner Israel Garcia won an ugly fight on the main undercard event at Trusts Stadium in west Auckland tonight.

Garcia's Australian opponent Brett Smith was disqualified in the third round of their scheduled eight-round heavyweight bout for persistent fouling.

Referee Lance Revill warned Smith several times as the outclassed Australian struggled to stay with Garcia, at one stage virtually rugby tackling him.

Smith, in appalling shape after being called up late to make the fight, was no match for Garcia who appeared to be toying with the Australian who was fighting outside of his country for the first time.

Ad Feedback Garcia was well toned and well in charge, showing the sort of form that seemed to justify his desire to fight Shane Cameron.

It was a disappointing end to the preliminaries.

The other heavyweight contest on the undercard saw giant American Clarence Tillman win a split decision against rugged Wellington fighter Leamy Taito.

They fought over four rounds with Taito producing a gallant effort despite being seriously out-sized.

Tillman entered the ring at 130.2kg compared to Taito at 108.1kg.

The difference was too much in the end although Taito did trouble Tillman in the final round.

Source: stuff.co.nz

David Tua decisions Friday Ahunanya

Boxing News World

New Zealand’s pride David Tuamanator’ Tua scored a unanimous decision victory over tough Nigerian Friday ‘The 3th’Ahunanya to retain his WBO Asia Pacific and WBO Oriental heavyweight belts just a couple of minutes ago at the Trusts Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand.

Tua improved his records to 51-3-1 with 43 knockouts.

38-yr old Ahunanya suffered his sixth career defeat.

- Marshall N. B., marx7204@lycos.com

A massive night for Kiwi boxing -- Yahoo! Xtra Sports

By Mike Kilpatrick, Yahoo! Xtra Sports

Yahoo!Xtra Sports will be covering the David 'Tuamanator' Tua v Friday 'The 13th' Ahunanya bout and the undercard from the Trusts Stadium in Waitakere tonight.

It's a massive opportunity for the Tuamanator to show he's worthy of another world title shot and promises to be a better contest than his fight against Shane Cameron last time around.

Here's the full rundown on the card:

Bronwyn Wylie (61.2kgs) v Christina Tai (59.5kgs)
Lightweight contest, 4 x 2 minute rounds

Thai boxer Bronwyn Wylie has experience in the martial arts ring but has only had one boxing bout - and that was against tonight's opponent Christina Tai.

Wylie won that bout after neither fighter could get a knockout in the four rounds. But that bout was in May last year and since then Tai has had another couple of fights.

She lost to Susie Ramadan in August, but then won against Michelle Preston at the end of January.

Wylie is ranked 23 in the world and her 100 per cent record will get a tough workout against the 28th ranked Tai, who has a professional record of won four, lost six.

Tip: Wylie to keep her record, just, after the four rounds.

Clarence Tillman (130.2kgs) v Leamy Tato (108.9kgs)
Heavyweight contest, 4 x 3 minute rounds

Kiwi Leamy Tato, at 5ft 10in, is dwarfed alongside the giant American Clarence Tillman at 6ft 5in.

But Taito is a MMA and Cage combatant champion and won his only previous boxing bout against Ben Naqasima in October last year.

He also represented the Junior Kiwis when he had his fights on a league field rather than a ring.

Tillman has lost three of his last five fights but beat Junior Pati by TKO in his last fight earlier this month - and Pati is ranked higher than Tato.

The Las Vegas fighter has won only three of his eight bouts, but is still ranked 249th in the world.

Tip: Tato may go the distance, but he's not going to win.

Jameson Bostic (84.4kgs) v Oscar Siale (84.2kgs)
Cruiserweight contest, 6 x 3 minute rounds

Southpaw Kiwi Oscar Siale is ranked fourth in New Zealand and won his last 10 fights until he lost to the higher ranked undefeated Samoan Vaitele Soi at the end of January.

Bostic hails from Brooklyn, New York and is ranked even higher than Soi was when he beat Siale - so it's going to be a major shock if the Kiwi can inflict Bostic's fifth defeat in 24 fights.

Bostic has fought five times in New Zealand previously and has won every time, including his last bout which was just 20 days ago against the lowly ranked Wilhelm Schwalger.

Tip: Bostic to take the win before the sixth round.

Areta Gilbert (83kgs) v Robert Berridge (79.8kgs)
Cruiserweight contest, 6 x 3 minute rounds

This all-Kiwi clash between Robert 'The Butcher' Berridge and Areta Gilbert shapes up nicely.

Berridge has gone up a couple of weights to fight Gilbert and so gives away a bit in height and weight.

The Butcher is undefeated in three fights after winning his first two via knockout. His last fight was against journeyman Faimasasa Tavui in July last year which he won by unanimous decision.

Gilbert lost his only previous fight, but that was against a much higher ranked opponent in Shane 'Chopper' Chapman, currently ranked second in New Zealand and 126th in the world.

The 22-year-old has dropped a few kilograms since that December fight and will be looking to take out his more experienced opponent.

Tip: Gilbert to take the win in a bit of a shock

Brett Smith (102.9kgs) v Isreal Garcia (118kgs)
Heavyweight contest, 8 x 3 minute rounds

Brett Smith is the original Aussie bad boy (apparently) and is facing up against David Tua's current sparring partner Isreal 'King Kong' Garcia.

Smith's record isn't the best, with 13 wins in 21 fights and has lost four of his last six fights.

He did win last time out against the lower ranked Brian Fitzgerald earlier this month, but that first round TKO was his first fight in over two years.

Garcia has been punished by Tua in their sparring sessions and boxed for 12 rounds against the Tuaminator, the man who punches harder than anyone else, he says.

King Kong has lost his last two fights, being TKO'd in the second round last time and losing in the third the time before that. But those fights were against boxers in the top 20 in the world and therefore no disgrace.

Tip: Garcia's Kiwi connection will have the home crowd cheering him and he'll take the win by points.

David Tua (108.7kgs) v Friday Ahunanya (104.1)
Heavyweight contest, 12 x 3 minute rounds
Referee: Garry Dean
Winner takes the WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight title and the WBO Oriental heavyweight title

This is a massive fight for David Tua. The Tuamanator destroyed Shane Cameron last time out and will want another big fight to push for another world title shot.

The revelation that the WBO are keeping a very close eye on this fight with a view to a possible world title fight in New Zealand will surely motivate Tua even more.

Tua has had more first round knockouts than any boxer, barring Mike Tyson, and his 50 wins, three losses and one draw in 54 fights is an impressive record.

Friday 'The 13th' Ahunanya has a record of 24 wins, five losses and three draws in his 32 fights and has won four out of his last five.

His last fight, against Alonzo Butler in 2008, went the distance and if Ahunanya has any hope of making more of his career he needs a massive win tonight.

Tip: But it's not going to happen. Tua has too much to lose and will win before the eighth round by TKO.

So what are your picks for tonights card? Leave your comment and you can prove you know much more about boxing than me!

And remember, check back in after 7pm for live coverage from the Trusts Stadium.

Source: nz.sports.yahoo.com

Commentating Legend "Colonel" Bob Sheridan Predicts A 1st-Round KO Win For Tua Over Ahunanya -- Eastside Boxing

By James Slater, Eastside Boxing

Heavyweights David Tua and Friday Ahunanya have weighed-in for tomorrow's important 12-rounder to be held in New Zealand, and both guys looked in absolutely superb condition as they flexed their muscles for the cameras after stepping onto the scale. Tua, looking about as ripped and toned as I can remember seeing him, scaled a solid 239-and-three-quarter-pounds. Underdog Ahunanya, also looking ready to go, scaled 229.5-pounds..

A big deal in New Zealand, this fight, or at least it's winner, will no doubt go on to become (once again in Tua's case) a big deal on the world scene. But who will the winner be? One man whose opinion is to be about as respected as just about anybody else's is, in legendary commentator "Colonel" Bob Sheridan, has made a pretty bold prediction. Sheridan - who has called many hundreds of fights over the years and will call this one also - said to The New Zealand Herald how he feels 37-year-old Tua, 50-3-1(43) will score a 1st-round KO over the 38-year-old in the second fight in his latest comeback.

If this is indeed how things unfold, Tua will have scored quite an impressive win. Okay, with his awesome punching power Tua is expected to win tomorrow, and most likely by stoppage. But having said that, Nigeria's Ahunanya, 24-5-3(13) has never been knocked out before; with only cuts and injuries stopping him in fights. Make no mistake, though Friday "The 13th" is getting on a little in years and though he has not been at all active as of late (just one fight, a win, since November of 2007), a 1st-round win for Tua would grab some attention.

Tua does seem more focused today than he ever has before. Finally seeming to have got himself in the right place both mentally and physically, the powerhouse said he is ready to go 12-rounds if need be against Ahunanya, and that he is even willing to die to win these days! Judging by his appearance on the scales a few hours ago, Tua has certainly pushed himself hard in training.

Ahunanya also boasted an impressive physique, however, and he smiled as he posed for photos. The slightly older man also smiled broadly when he spoke about how he sees the fight going. Acknowledging his opponent's power and finishing ability, the Las Vegas-based heavy said he will not get into a position where Tua is able to unload on him and bring an end to the fight. Though he never gave up too much of his proposed game-plan, Friday did say he realises that tomorrow's fight is a huge opportunity for him and that as a result he will not allow Tua to take him out of his game-plan. It sounds to me as though Ahunanya will try and box Tua early, take him into the later rounds and then attempt to go to work. Not a bad idea; if he can pull it off.

Though I don't think Sheridan's prediction of a 1st-round KO for Tua will be proven correct, I do feel "The Colonel" is right when he says Tua will win by a KO. I think it will take a few more rounds; with "The Tuaman" winning in the 5th or 6th-round.

Source: eastsideboxing.com

Tua tipped to land knockout punch -- Stuff

By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE, The Dominion Post

Too much power and too much experience adds up to a David Tua victory, most likely by knockout.

That seems to be the consensus of opinion as the New Zealand heavyweight takes the next step on his comeback trail tonight with a scheduled 12-round fight against Las Vegas-based Nigerian Friday Ahunanya in West Auckland.

There was no shortage of the colourful figures that boxing attracts as the fighters weighed in yesterday.

Both looked fit and trim with Tua weighing 108.7kg (less than 1kg heavier than he was when he demolished Shane Cameron) and Ahunanya 104.1kg.

At 1.83m Ahunanya will enjoy a height and reach advantage, but not to the extent that has proved troublesome for the compact Tua in the past.

And ultimately it will be the size of the punch rather than the man that decides this bout.

Boa Athukorala, the Sri Lankan who is the matchmaker for the strong undercard that features five American fighters, believes Ahunanya will provide a worthy test, but Tua will have too much power.

Israel Garcia, the big New Yorker who will fight on the undercard and has spent the last two months feeling the power of Tua as his sparring partner, has no doubts his man will do the business.

"Believe me, David has trained even harder than he did for Shane Cameron," Garcia said.

"He is real focused and real relaxed and he knows this is a big stepping stone for him."

Garcia likened a Tua punch to "being hit by a truck, but you don't know it's coming".

He has witnessed the development of Tua's armoury under American trainer Roger Bloodworth and suggested Tua has more weapons than when he entered the ring against Cameron.

"David's a boxer – he can move, he confuses you, he's going to make him [Ahunanya] look bad."

Garcia had no doubt about Tua's ability to hold his power.

"He could go 15 rounds. We sparred 12 rounds recently and he was punching just as hard in the 12th round as he was in the first."

Garcia predicted Tua would win inside four rounds.

Tua said he was in the right mindset to do the business. He would spend his day patiently waiting for the 11pm fight. He had gone on a training run late on Monday night to help get into that time frame.

"The run was great – I had a nice meeting with myself just to think about a lot of things. I'm feeling choice."

TUA was delighted to be able to maintain his fighting weight and agreed that he looked more toned for this bout.

"I did a lot more chin-ups than I did last time and I think it shows. There was a lot of pressure to get to this weight.

"It's been hard work but I had a lot of fun doing it too. I've had such a good camp."

Tua said he felt liberated under Bloodworth who had given him the freedom to explore and expand his boxing skills.

"I've had a great teacher who allows me to try things out. I've always believed I've had more than just a left hook."

Ahunanya, idle for almost two years, says this is an opportunity he can't afford to waste.

"This is a make or break fight – this is huge. I'm putting everything on the line here.

"I know he [Tua] is a powerful dude and he comes in strong. But I've done my homework and I will stick to my strategy."

Veteran boxing commentator Bob Sheridan – a huge admirer of Tua – wasn't sure what effect Ahunanya's long layoff would have.

"They talk about ring rust but I think it's more about a deterioration of skills with age. Both these fighters are getting on but with heavyweights, the last thing that goes is their punch," said Sheridan.

Source: stuff.co.nz

Tougher test - but Tua's ready -- New Zealand Herald

By Steve Deane, New Zealand Herald

Five-and-a-half months after the Mismatch of the Millennium, David Tua will again step into the ring in pursuit of his heavyweight championship dream.

Tonight's opponent at West Auckland's Trusts Stadium - Friday the 13th Ahunanya - is expected to give Tua a much sterner test than Shane Cameron, who was blown out in the first round and KO'd in the second in Hamilton in October.

Ahunanya has shared the ring with some decent pros, has never been knocked out and also took care of Cameron.

At 38, this is the last roll of the dice for the Las Vegas-based Nigerian cabbie. He has plenty to fight for.

His ebullient manager, Luis Tapia, has guaranteed his man Friday will win.

Such big talk is pretty much mandatory in professional boxing, but in reality there is little in Ahunanya's record to suggest he can trouble Tua.

He may be undefeated in his past five fights, but the five before that failed to produce a single victory.

The theory that Ahunanya could dominate the late rounds if he can survive the early going appears based more on hope than reality. Ahunanya has fought into the 12th round just three times in a 32-fight career. One of those was the bloody get out of jail stoppage of Cameron, the other two he lost.

He has also not fought for more than two years.

Ahunanya's invincibility is also a good part myth. He may never have been knocked out, but he has twice been stopped inside the distance. Lance Whitaker busted his eye in the fourth round in 2004, and Sultan Ibragimov cut him with a head-butt and took the victory as he was leading on all three judges' score cards after nine rounds.

Still, you don't have to look far to find knowledgeable boxing types who believe Friday has a decent shot at upsetting the home-town hero.

"If Friday Ahunanya comes out and decides to take Tua on then he has got a good chance of winning it," said Lance Revill, a former fighter and referee and now president of the NZPBA.

Revill doesn't buy the line that even Cameron - who proved to be in a different stratosphere from Tua - was beating Ahunanya before he was cut. "No, he wasn't," Revill said. "Friday ... did a demolition job on him."

Ahunanya could win, then, but Revill stopped short of predicting he would. "I'm not going to call it."

Tua's trainer, Roger Bloodworth, studied the Cameron-Ahunanya fight but didn't read much into it.

"Every fighter has tendencies but it doesn't mean that Friday is going to fight Tua the same way he fought Cameron," Bloodworth said.

"They are two different fighters."

With Tua looking focused and in impressive shape at 108.7kg - just 900g more than for the Cameron fight - Ahunanya may be about to discover just how different the solid Samoan is from his last Kiwi victim.

"No doubt about it, I know he is a real powerful dude, but I have done my homework," said Ahunanya, a trim enough-looking 104.1kg.

"This is a make or break fight."

The claims from Tua's management that victory would lead to a world title shot are optimistic in the extreme but, with defeat almost certain to torpedo that goal, Tua also has no shortage of motivation. "I'm willing to die for what is about to take place," he said. "I'm ready for it."

FIGHT NIGHT
Tua v Ahunanya: Live on Maori TV from 8pm tonight.

Source: nzherald.co.nz

Cameron turned down fight on Tua undercard -- Stuff

By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE, Stuff.co.nz

Shane Cameron turned down a chance to fight on the undercard of David Tua's latest promotion.

Cameron was offered an opportunity to take on Tua's sparring partner Israel Garcia in one of the main leadup fights to Tua's heavyweight clash with Las Vegas-based Nigerian Friday Ahunanya in west Auckland on Wednesday night.

"I called him out but he didn't want to fight," Garcia said.

He added he remained keen to fight Cameron.

Cameron is trying to resurrect his career after last October's shattering loss to Tua.

He chose to take on second rate Australian John Hopoate last week in a Melbourne fight that turned into a farce with Hopoate disqualified in the second round for wrestling tactics.

The result put a tick in the win column on Cameron's record and some money in the bank but did nothing for Cameron's career in terms of confirming his comeback.

Cameron is now working towards a fight in Wellington.

Garcia, meanwhile, has picked up an Australian opponent in Brett Smith tomorrow night at Trusts Stadium.

Smith has fought 21 times for 13 wins, six losses and two draws with all his fights taking place in Australia.

While Garcia has made a decent living out of sparring he is a reasonable fighter in his own right, fashioning a 19 win (11 KOs) - 3 loss record in his professional career.

Garcia lost his last two fights against the rated Denis Boystov and Chris Arreola.

The New York based Puerto Rican, dubbed King Kong, weighed in at 118kg today, giving him a significant advantage over Smith who tipped the scales at 102.9kg.

Garcia said he was feeling in great condition after a busy training camp with Tua where he had benefitted from the heavy workload and the use of a conditioner.

"I've lost weight because I've worked hard. I've never had a conditioning coach before so he put me through a lot. I feel really good for this fight," Garcia said.

Source: stuff.co.nz

Heavyweight Roundup: What To Expect From The Best Of The Big Boys In The Near Future -- Eastside Boxing

By Paul McCreath, Eastside Boxing

Wlad Klitschko - Now that Wlad has finished off Eddie Chambers with a devastating last round KO his next match should be against his"other" mandatory, the Russian Alex Povetkin. But will Alex take the fight? His new trainer Teddy Atlas did not sound too positive on Friday night. Meanwhile the only fight that might prove very risky for Wlad and of great interest to the general public would be against David Haye. Will we see it? Who knows? Between Wlad and brother Vitali they have pretty much cleaned out the division of any true threats. The brothers have decided that if either one meets Haye it will be Wlad. Barring an upset by Haye it looks like Wlad can rule the division for a long time yet. He just turned 34 but is showing no signs of deterioration. We may have to settle for a series of low risk fights like the past few defenses..

Vitali Klitschko is now 38 years old and probably winding down his career as a champion. His next fight is a voluntary against Albert Sosnowski on May 29. Few expect Vitali to have many problems in that one. After that the pickings are slim. Odlanier Solis will be meeting 39 year old Ray Austin in an eliminator to determine the next mandatory for Vitali so the winner of that one could well be Vitali's last fight especially if it is Solis. I expect that we will see Vitali one or two more times in all and then he will retire.

David Haye has a bout this weekend against the veteran ex-champ John Ruiz. Providing he wins that one he has a contractual obligation to give the Russian giant Nicolay Valuev a rematch. After that would come the winner of the May 22 eliminator between Ruslan Chagaev and Kali Meehan. For a fighter who only fights about once a year that schedule is going to keep David busy for awhile. He would probably be favored to win all three matches but Chagaev could be a very tough one to overcome. Then there is the question of the unification match with Wlad. Does Haye really want this fight? He talks like he does but as we all know what David says he is going to do and what he does are frequently two different things. One obstacle to be overcome would be the alphabet boys and all those mandatories. It will be difficult to fit in the fight everyone wants and if it happens I doubt it will be until near year's end or early 2011.

Alex Povetkin won 2 eliminators over two years ago to earn a title shot and we are still waiting. Wlad is willing but first Alex got injured and then he began to realise, wisely I think, that he just wasn't ready to meet Wlad. Now he is healthy, more experienced and he has a new trainer. Will he finally take the fight? The thing is that while he would have a better chance now than he would have had two years ago he will still be a big underdog. He does have other alternatives. If he truly wants to win a title belt would he not have a better chance by waiting for a shot at David Haye or better still waiting for Vitali to retire (probably a shorter wait) so he can join the rush for his vacated title? It is not like he is going to starve if he decides to wait for a better opportunity. There is plenty of money for top 10 heavyweights in Europe.

Eddie Chambers is far from done after his loss to Wlad. While he is unlikely to ever overthrow either of the giant Klitschko brothers they will not be around for ever, especially Vitali. Eddie is not a true heavyweight but he can handle most of them anyway. He is only 27. He can hang around until he gets another title shot against someone more his own size. As long as he keeps busy the chances will come again perhaps in a return with Povetkin for Vitali's old belt when he retires. Eddie could even drop down to cruiser and maybe win a belt there but he would have to settle for less money. I doubt if we will see that.

John Ruiz goes into his April 3 fight with David Haye as a live underdog but I think that at 38 years of age this will finally be his last kick at the can. We have of course written him off many times before and he keeps coming back but it can't last forever.

Ruslan Chagaev will be a heavy favorite to defeat Kali Meehan which will then put him either into a title bout with David Haye or in a very good position to fight for the alphabet belt that Vitali will eventually vacate. We are going to hear more from Ruslan for sure. His only loss was to Wlad Klitschko and that is not such a bad thing.

Chris Arreola has a big bout coming up on April 24 against Tomasz Adamek. This is bound to lead to a title match for the winner. If it is Chris it might be more likely to be Wlad Klitschko or David Haye although there is a long line-up there. If Tomasz wins Vitali would maybe be the more likely opponent. This is a fight that could go either way and should be a good one.

Denis Boytsov at 24 is the youngest of the contenders and appears to be in no hurry. He is fast and hits hard. If advanced intelligently he has a very bright future. He will likely continue to gain experience for a year or two yet before he tries for a world title. A match for the Euro belt against the Harrison-Sprott winner would be a good next step for this young Russian.

Nicolay Valuev will probably get one last payday late this year against David Haye and that will be it. He is slipping and no longer as popular as earlier even in Europe. He missed his chance in turning down the fight with Vitali Klitschko. He would not likely have won but it would have paid very well.

Alex Dimitrenko has been out of action with an injury and needs to regroup after the bad loss to Eddie Chambers. A couple of tune-ups and then a challenge for the Euro belt would make sense. How about Dimitrenko vs Boytsov in a few months?

Tony Thompson is now 38 and time is running out. He will meet Jason Estrada on April 16 and that could lead to more paydays. He must stay busy and hope that one of the champions will be looking for a voluntary opponent sometime soon. Don't hold your breath.

Tomasz Adamek is a former champion at two weights who hopes to add the heavyweight crown as well. His April 24 bout with Chris Arreola will tell us if this is a realistic goal. I don't see him defeating either of the Klitschkos but once Vitali retires anything could happen. Give him a good chance against Chris.

Sam Peter is back in the mix after his recent KO win over Nagy Aguilera. He has lost a lot of weight and is probably as good as he ever was but still slow and limited technically. His power is his strength and his name is still well recognized so count him in somewhere. Wouldn't you love to see him fight either Chris Arreola or David Tua?

Ray Austin is a 39 year old retread who is just hanging on. He could upset an ill-conditioned Solis and that would get him another title bout but yikes ! Who would buy that. It is more likely that this will be his last good payday.

Odlanier Solis may have the best set of tools among all the challengers but he remains unproven and much too heavy. An impressive win over Austin could be a good move to change all that. We can only hope. He may get by Austin but I have my doubts that the weight will ever come off.

Juan Carlos Gomez, the former cruiser champ has become active again and he is still a pretty good fighter. He just won a bout last weekend and has two more tune-ups scheduled soon while he awaits a more meaningful match. At age 36 don't expect too much but he will be a useful gatekeeper for awhile yet.

David Tua would best be forgotten. He hasn't had a meaningful fight in over 5 years and is now 37 years old. His heart is not in it anymore. David will continue to meet modest opposition once or twice a year but will take no big fights. He meets Friday Ahunanya on March 31.

Former big names like James Toney, Hasim Rahman, Evander Holyfield, Shannon Briggs and others are still around with their delusions of reclaiming their one time prominence but their time is past. Evander is the best of the lot even at 46+ years mainly due to his dedication to training so he could get one more good payday but the rest are pretty much limited to the bush leagues of the sport now.

Albert Sosnowski will get his 15 minutes of fame and then revert to the Euro level competition again. He is a willing well conditioned fighter but not championship material. He meets Vitali on May 29.

That's about it unless Kevin Johnson decides to stop talking and start fighting. I doubt if we will see that either. At least we have some promising action coming up among the others in the division.

Source: eastsideboxing.com

Tua set to go the distance -- New Zealand Herald

By Robert Lowe, New Zealand Herald

Hometown favourite David Tua is prepared to go the distance, while his heavyweight boxing opponent, Nigerian Friday Ahunanya, has promised to lay it all on the line, when the pair meet in Auckland tomorrow night.

Tua, 37, weighed in today at 108.7kg, just under a kilo heavier than for his demolition of fellow New Zealander Shane Cameron last October, a fight for which he shed 26kg.

Ahunanya, 38, tipped the scales at 104.1kg when the formalities were conducted in public in a packed main atrium at the SkyCity Casino.

There was none of the traditional pre-bout trash talk at the weigh-in, and the two protagonists shook hands before they left the stage.

Tua was the definite crowd favourite and he joked that he was feeling "no pressure" at the public expectation that he would emerge victorious at Trusts Stadium.

Noted for devastating hitting power and early knockouts, Tua said he was ready for a long night if needed.

"I'm very well prepared with a great camp for this fight," he said.

"I'm ready to go 12 rounds. I'm ready for it."

While Tua's left hook is his feared weapon, his camp has been working on other parts of his arsenal, and his trainer, Roger Bloodworth, said the decisive punch could come from anywhere.

"It could be the right, it could be the left, it could an upper cut, it could be straight, it could be a hook, it could be jab," he said.

Both Tua and Ahunanya are angling for a world title shot and Bloodworth said the fight carried plenty of significance for both boxers.

"This is a big fight for both of them," he said.

"They are two big heavyweights. If either of them get hit on the chin, they will go down."

However, Bloodworth also showed that there was plenty of respect for Ahunanya in the Tua camp.

"I know Friday is a very good fighter," he said.

"He's been almost a world-class fighter. He's got a good chin, so we're prepared for 12 rounds."

Tua, 37, has record of 50 wins, 43 by knockout, three losses and a draw.

Ahunanya, 38, has had 24 wins, 13 by knockout, five loses and a draw.

In his one other appearance in Auckland, in November 2007, he ended Cameron's unbeaten record with a bloody 12th round stoppage.

However, he hasn't fought since June 2008, when he beat American Alonzo Butler with a unanimous decision.

Ahunanya said he was aware what a win over Tua would mean for him.

"It's a make or break fight," he said.

"I'm putting everything on the line."

Having sparred with Tua before, he knew all about his opponent's punching ability and he would go into the ring with a game plan to counter that.

"No doubt about it, I know he's a real powerful dude," he said.

"I've done my homework and I have my strategy. That's what I intend to do - stick to my strategy and win."

- NZPA

Source: nzherald.co.nz

David Tua fighting fit for Friday -- Stuff

By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE, Stuff.co.nz

A fit looking David Tua has delivered the right weight for his fight with Friday Ahunanya and says he's willing to die for his cause when they square off tomorrow night.

Tua tipped the scales at 108.7kg and Ahunanya was at 104.1kg when the two heavyweights attended the official weigh in at Auckland's Sky City today.

Tua, who had shed so much weight for his previous fight against Shane Cameron looked even more toned today although he was around 1kg heavier.

He declared delight with his weight and appears to be in a very good mindset for this important occasion.

"I feel good and I'm looking forward to tomorrow night," Tua said. "I'm willing to die for what is about to take place."

Tua said he would spend the next 24 hours relaxing at home.

"I'll keep on watering my vege garden," he laughed.

Ahunanya, with a height advantage, also looked fit and delivered a body that lived up to his belief that he had trained harder than he ever had.

He said this was a defining fight for him.

"It's a make or break fight. This is huge. I'm putting everything on the line here," he said.

Ahunanya said he was prepared for anything that Tua would throw at him.

"I know he is a real powerful dude and that he comes in strong. I know he is a good finisher if he gets you in trouble. But I've done my homework and I will stick to my strategy."

Source: stuff.co.nz

David Tua's humour shows in pimped Mini -- Stuff

By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE, Stuff.co.nz

As his boxing powers return David Tua has shown that he hasn't lost his sense of humour either.

Some critics have labelled Tua's biggest handicap as being a heavyweight trapped inside a mini body with his short stature giving him problems against tall opponents.

But now Tua is trapped inside a Mini car.

Renowned for his love of vehicles – Tua drove a Hummer around Las Vegas in the buildup to his world title fight with Lennox Lewis – his latest mode of transport is more reflective of the tougher times that have fallen on him in recent years.

He has had to go small as he continues to think big. But Tua has worked hard to pimp up his 1973 Mini.

And that includes the tell-tale personalised number plate that reads O4OSUM in reference to his infamous appearance on TV show Wheel Of Fortune when he asked for “O for awesome”.

The shiny black little car has Tua all over it.

The hubcaps have his Tuamanator stylised T on them. The wire grill has TUA sprayed on to it.

Stickers declare 100% Samoa in reference to his heritage and F4effort, a reflection of the hard work he has put into his latest comeback that has already claimed the scalp of fellow Kiwi heavyweight Shane Cameron and is now centred on tomorrow night’s fight with Friday Ahunanya.

There's a skeleton hanging from the rearview mirror and Tua will be hoping that symbolises the career of the big Nigerian Friday Ahunanya once the fight plays out at west Auckland's Trusts Stadium.

Source: stuff.co.nz

Odds favour quick win to David Tua -- Stuff

By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE, Stuff.co.nz

The bookmakers haven't been swayed by Friday Ahunanya's big talk with the TAB heavily favouring a David Tua victory in their heavyweight clash - most likely by knockout.

Ahunanya has spoken loudly and proudly about his durability to handle the distance but also his belief that he will become the first boxer to knock out Tua.

But the TAB see neither happening in Wednesday night's fight in west Auckland that is scheduled for 12 rounds.

They have Tua at short odds to win, paying $1.12 against $5.25 for the Las Vegas-based Nigerian.

And a Tua knockout pays just $1.20 compared to Ahunanya winning by a shortcut.

A Tua win by decision is at $5.540 with Ahunanya paying $7 if the fight goes the distance and he wins.

What's more the bookies see the fight finishing early as in the same way Tua demolished Shane Cameron last October.

A knockout victory to Tua in rounds one or two is playing $6 with $8 on offer for rounds three and four.

Ahunanya is paying $60 for a knockout in any of the 12 rounds.

Tua has a history of getting the job done quickly. He has won 50 of his 54 fights, 43 of them by knockout.

Ahunanya has fought 32 times with 13 of his 24 wins coming via knockouts.

He has suffered a TKO loss to Lance Whittaker in 2004, a defeat that started a poor stretch over two years where he lost four fights and drew another.

The west Auckland bout will be refereed by respected Australian Garry Dean and is being broadcast by Maori Television.

American Colonel Bob Sheridan, a regular visitor to New Zealand's biggest fights, will be the main TV commentator.

Source: stuff.co.nz

David Tua working on more weapons -- Stuff

By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE, Stuff.co.nz

David Tua's trademark is a devastating left hook but trainer Roger Bloodworth promises the Kiwi heavyweight will bring far more than that to the ring for Wednesday night's clash with Friday Ahunanya.

The highly respected corner man says much of the past two months training has been spent on developing Tua into a multi-dimensional fighter.

Bloodworth says that if Tua is indeed to be a world title contender he needs to show more than he has in the past.

Tua showed glimpses of his new right hand power in his demolition of Shane Cameron last October and plenty of work has gone into progressing that.

"We have been working on his right hand. You are going to see a much more rounded boxer in David. He has to be, that's vital for his future. It's not just about the left hook any more," Bloodworth said.

"He still has his style ... it's always there if he needs a left hook. But the thing to do is to add more weapons."

Ahunanya's reputation for durability means Tua will need an array of weapons over the scheduled 12 rounds at the Trusts Stadium in west Auckland.

Bloodworth wants a win any which way but there appears to be a desire to see Tua tested more than he was by the severely outclassed Cameron.

Having been idle for two years before the Cameron fight, getting in a few rounds of competitive boxing wouldn't do Tua any harm – providing he can still come away with a victory so essential to his future.

Bloodworth, the experienced American, has no doubt Ahunanya is a worthy opponent who should provide a far sterner test than Cameron.

"Given the way the last fight went I think it will be a tougher challenge," Bloodworth said in reference to the stunning second round knockout Tua produced in his comeback appearance.

"Friday has been with some good fighters and he has never been stopped. That indicates that it might be a long night."

Ahunanya, a big Nigerian who looks in very good shape, has vowed to box clever. He has the respect of the Tua camp.

"We don't know what he will bring. There are only three things he can do – he can box, he can slug or he can run. We prepare for all three things and adjust round by round when we see what he brings," Bloodworth says.

The weigh-in is at Auckland's Sky City tomorrow at noon.

Source: stuff.co.nz

I'm ready to go the distance if needed, vows Tua -- Stuff

By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE, The Dominion Post

Knockout artist David Tua says he's prepared to go the distance if that's what it takes to beat Friday Ahunanya.

The two heavyweights square off over 12 rounds at the Trusts Stadium in Waitakere on Wednesday.

They fronted a large media conference in Auckland yesterday, at which both camps aired confidence for a fight that will be vital to the future of the two veterans.

Given his punching power, pedigree of opponents and experience, Tua is a warm favourite to defend his WBO Asia-Pacific and Oriental belts.

The TAB have him at $1.12 to win, against Ahunanya's $5.25. A Tua knockout is the favoured method of victory, at $1.20, with a decision to Tua over the 12 rounds paying $5.50. And the odds favour an early finish to the fight, with a knockout in the first or second rounds the most likely.

Tua wasn't prepared to endorse that yesterday, but said he was ready to win by any means. "I'm well prepared physically and mentally.

"It's a 12-round fight and I am very well prepared for 12 rounds. If a knockout happens, it happens, but I'm ready for anything.

"I know it's a very important fight for me and I've prepared accordingly. I'm very positive, very confident."

Tua believed his training camp for this fight was the best of his lengthy career, hence his confidence about pushing into the later rounds if required.

His American trainer, Roger Bloodworth, hinted that might even be beneficial to Tua's future, given the quickfire nature of his devastating second-round knockout of Shane Cameron in his last fight that ended two years in the wilderness because of court battles.

"As a trainer you always like to get a win on board as quickly as you can.

"But from a practical point of view I wouldn't mind it going 12 rounds," Bloodworth said.

"That's one of the reasons why we are fighting Friday, because he is very durable and has never been knocked down. This is a good test for David and we have worked on everything because we have a world-class opponent.

"But I couldn't be happier with David's attitude or his readiness."

Tua doesn't have a rich history of going the distance. Of his 50 wins, 43 have been by knockout. His three losses, to Lennox Lewis, Chris Byrd and Ike Ibeabuchi, have all been by points decisions after being forced to the final bell.

The Ahunanya camp is certainly prepared for a one-dimensional approach from Tua, making that very clear yesterday, although emphasising they had the ability to adjust.

"David Tua just fights one way he just comes forward," said Ahunanya's manager-trainer, Luis Tapia.

"But every fight is a different fight and we will see what happens. We will go round-by-round and we will be changing plans if we need to.

"It's going to be a great fight, a great night. I think this will be one of the fights of the year in the heavyweight division."

With both boxers in their late 30s, and time running out, they know an impressive victory will push their cause for a world title fight in a heavyweight division presently lacking charisma and competitiveness.

Source: stuff.co.nz

Tua ducks under the trash talk -- New Zealand Herald

By Chris Rattue, New Zealand Herald

David Tua has taken aim at Friday Ahunanya's trainer as final preparations begin for their heavyweight clash on Wednesday.

Ahunanya has been a modestly confident character since arriving in Auckland a week ago, leaving the trash talk to corner man Luis Tapia.

Tapia has jumped into a Luis the Lip role, labelling Tua "chicken" after fight delays and scoffing at the Aucklander's victory over Shane Cameron.

"The nasty guy in this fight is me," Tapia told the Weekend Herald.

Tua responded during an interview in his Onehunga gym, saying the Las Vegas-based Tapia was further damaging his boxer's prospects.

"I read those things ... it is a good read sometimes. It's like a comedy, something to laugh about, to be totally honest," Tua said.

"Sadly, trainers like that who do a lot of talk put so much pressure on their fighter to perform sometimes that it doesn't work out for them.

"What his trainer has done can get fighters hurt ... if that works for him so be it, but he's got to do a lot more than that to get under my skin. I've been in the limelight and enjoyed all those sorts of things but really, that sort of stuff just isn't me."

Tua said he was primed for the fight at West Auckland's Trusts Stadium, although it was vital that he get in top fight mode in the remaining days.

Tua believed he reconnected with the New Zealand audience through the brilliant two-round demolition of Cameron in Hamilton.

"We are entering the very important part where I could lose it - you can't get too relaxed or comfortable," he said.

"A lot of hard work has gone into this camp and you've got to keep the engine going.

"Every fight has its own motivation ... A week after the Cameron fight I was shopping and I could see from the corner of my eye a little boy staring at me as his mother tried to get him to stay away from the road.

"I went over and said hello and he said 'You're the Tuaman'.

"I said 'I hope so' ... and he said 'good fight'.

"That really hit me - I think there was a lost generation of supporters and something simple like meeting that kid was a very emotional encounter for me. The fight with Shane Cameron reignited my career in some ways. But you can't dwell on your last fight."

Tua, who praised the contribution of his imported sparring partners Israel Garcia and Harold Sconiers, said he was prepared to go the distance against Ahunanya.

"He is a counter puncher, he has a good jab and I think he is also a lot stronger than what his record shows. I know he is coming to fight," said Tua.

"I can't just worry about his jab. You have to look at the whole picture. I'm very aware of the type of fighter that he is and what he will bring.

"I'm well-prepared mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually. God willing on fight night, all will go well.

"The way the Cameron fight went just happened. It wasn't planned that way and I'm ready to go 12 rounds this time.

"This is a very important fight for me and needs to be approached with respect - I'm certainly not overlooking this guy. A loss would have a bad effect on my career.

"I believe my power is as good as it's ever been and my speed has picked up as I got older. I really believe the time I spent away from the ring did a lot of good things. The bright side is that my body didn't take a pounding. It served a purpose - my reflexes and speed are still there."

Source: nzherald.co.nz