David Tua Archives » Boxing News

“The Night Of The Young Heavyweights” Proved Memorable For A Few Reasons: Tua, Golota, Briggs

March 16, 2020March 15, 2020 by James Slater

Briggs, who was seen by many as the next champ, was 25-0 when he entered the ring to face Darroll Wilson, a decent fighter who was unbeaten himself, having a couple of draws on his record. Briggs was forced to quit on his stool after three rounds. It was a big upset and an even bigger disappointment for the Brooklyn man. Briggs claimed he suffered an asthma attack and was unable to carry on. The two never had a rematch. Briggs did manage to regroup, later becoming the lineal champ by controversially decisioning George Foreman. Wilson was soon flattened by Tua, in a round, but he did later give guys like Ray Mercer (L10) and Oliver McCall (KOby4) decent fights.

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Atlantic City, New Jersey, March 15th 1996. An exciting heavyweight card dubbed “Night Of The Young Heavyweights” took place on this day in 1996, and the three main events all … Read more

How Good Was David Tua?

September 12, 2019September 11, 2019 by James Slater

It may not seem it, but David Tua's final KO win took place almost ten long years ago; this October. That was back when Tua, one of the most lethal punching heavyweights of the 1990s and early 2000s, starched Shane Cameron in an all-New Zealand clash. Next year, as he has proudly posted on his facebook page, Tua will be enshrined in The National Boxing Hall of Fame (in April of 2020, along with Sugar Ray Leonard).

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It may not seem it, but David Tua’s final KO win took place almost ten long years ago; this October. That was back when Tua, one of the most lethal … Read more

Imagine: Deontay Wilder defends against the best of the ’90’s heavyweight contenders – Ruddock, Tua, Golota, Ibeabuchi

March 30, 2017March 29, 2017 by James Slater

It’s universally agreed that reigning WBC heavyweight king Deontay Wilder is a most exciting fighter, a very powerful and dangerous fighter, and a very determined fighter (Deontay could easily have quit in pain having suffered the hand and arm injuries he picked up in his win over Chris Arreola last summer).

But what we don’t know is this: how good is Wilder? The unbeaten KO artist could well be the best big man on the scene today, and Wilder, 38-0(37) has made it clear a number of times that he wants the big, big fights to prove his dominance. These defining fights, against the likes of the Anthony Joshua-Wladimir Klitschko winner, Tyson Fury (if the giant can return as planned) and others may come. But imagine for a second if Wilder was busy defending his green belt against the best contenders the 1990s had to offer; the men who came, oh, so close to becoming champion.

Tua v Ustinov round by round – Ustinov Beats Tua

November 18, 2013November 17, 2013 by Eugene Carnachan

tua432323 Hamilton City, Claudelands Showgrounds: Ringside: Chants of Tua! Tua go up! The ring announcer gets an A plus for animation. Never quite seen or heard a ring announcer throw himself around the ring with so much vigour and enthusiasm in introducing fighters. Fair to say he is an excitable type of chap.

Alexander Ustinov ring walk: All you can really say about the man is he is one very big piece of humanity. His ring walk music of the Russian variety is music not often heard in this part of the world. He leaps the top rope of the ring with ease and that impressed the hell out of the crowd. At 6ft 8 and 139 kilograms (according to ring announcer) his immensity makes him a proposition for the sheer fact of his immensity – he carries no excess weight and appears in exceptional condition.

Ustinov Outpoints David Tua

November 17, 2013November 16, 2013 by Rick Whiteside

ustinov2323 Hamilton New Zealand was the scene of a battle of differing proportions—6’8” Belarussian Alexander Ustinov squared off against Kiwi Samoan 5’9” David Tua who also gave up 50 lbs in weight.

Round One: Feeling out round. Ustinov controls the action, with Tua backing up.

Round Two: Round is Ustinov’s but Tua is more aggressive and loosening up his left hook.

Round Three: Ustinov’s round. He continues to keep his left low but Tua won’t throw a right hand. Tua mostly missing with his left hook, but connects with a few.

Tua and Ustinov weigh-in for heavyweight showdown, a trim Tua ready to give it one last shot

November 15, 2013November 15, 2013 by James Slater

The David Tua-Alexander Ustinov heavyweight clash, a big deal in New Zealand but in truth nowhere else, will see a Tua who has gotten himself in his best physical condition for some time. Tipping-in at a trim and solid 236-pounds – to giant Ustinov’s 292 – Tua knows he will have to retire if he loses.

Now in his forties, the Samoan powerhouse is coming off a points loss to Monte Barrett. The real carrot for Tua in this fight is the vague possibility of a shot at Wladimir Klitschko should he get the job done in style. But can Tua, even an in-shape version, get inside on the much taller Ustinov and detonate his bombs? A true David Vs. Goliath showdown, this fight could be lively, or it could go the other way and be a dull affair. If Ustinov uses his height, reach and strength and is content to jab and then tie Tua up, how will the much shorter man be able to cope?

David Tua vs Alexander Ustinov on Nov 16

November 15, 2013November 14, 2013 by Eugene Carnachan

tua-ustinov (8) David Tua ( 52-4-2) and world ranked Alexander Ustinov (28-1) clash on Saturday 16th November at Mystery Creek, Hamilton, New Zealand.

David Tua whose latter career has been punctuated with weight problems had reportedly blown out to 348 pounds before starting to train for this fight.

Originally the pair were meant to meet on August 31st but a grade one calf tear sustained by Tua in training caused promoters to amend the fight to its current date.

The extra training time has served Tua well. Tua’s appearance in August is remarkably different to the physical constitution he is sporting in the lead up to this weekend’s fight.

Tua-Ustinov postponed until November 16th

August 14, 2013August 13, 2013 by ESB

DAVID Tua’s shot at redemption via the Hydr8 ZERO David vs Goliath blockbuster bout against Belarusian heavyweight Alexander Ustinov has been postponed until Saturday November 16.

It was thought that the fight – originally slated for Claudelands Arena on August 31 – would be put back to late September after the Tuamanator picked up a minor grade 1 calf muscle injury last week.

David Tua to make a call on his injured piston

August 12, 2013August 11, 2013 by Eugene Carnachan

tua432323 New Zealand based heavyweight David Tua (52-4-2) will make a call on his injured calf. That call is expected today and will be aided by an expert medical assessment that will determine whether his August 31st bout with Alexander Ustinov (28-1-0) goes ahead.

Ustinov when informed of the news was nonchalant, taking the news well in accepting injuries and boxing go hand in hand and there is little he can do about an injury to an opponent.

David Higgins of Duco the events promoters was equally as pragmatic in stating ‘if David Tua needs time to heal, then we will postpone the fight for, at the most, four weeks from the original fight date”

David Tua injured, fight with Alexander Ustinov still on

August 7, 2013August 6, 2013 by ESB

THE highly anticipated heavyweight clash between David Tua and Alexander Ustinov has not yet been postponed, promoter David Higgins said today.

Tua, who is slated to fight the giant Russian in their Hyrd8ZERO David vs Goliath blockbuster at Claudelands’ Arena on August 31, suffered a minor calf strain while training.

The initial professional advice from Team Tua’s doctor is that it is a Grade One tear – the least serious of muscle strains.

Mr Higgins – whose company Duco Events is promoting the Hyrd8ZERO David vs Goliath show – said Tua will continue to be accessed over the next few days.