Tua v. Rahman: Two Heavyweights with Uncertain Futures.
By Ron Widelec
20.03 - David Tua and Hasim Rahman are as different as fighters can be. As such, they have traveled very different paths. However, on two occasions those paths have crossed. The first time was in 1998, when both were considered top rising contenders, and they battled each other for ten rounds, in the hope that the winner would have a serious rise in stock.
That was exactly what happened. After out-boxing Tua for 9 rounds, Rahman got caught with a massive punch and was unable to recover. There was, however, some controversy, as many observers felt that the punch landed after the bell, and Rahman should have been given extra time to recover.
Either way, Tua went on to challenge Lennox Lewis about two years later, with the undisputed heavyweight title on the line. Tua was easily defeated by Lewis. Rahman went on to heavyweight limbo for two years, fighting a series of decent, but unheralded foes. He did just enough to convince Lennox Lewis that he was a great tune up defense, before fighting Mike Tyson. Rahman then threw the right hand that shocked the world, collapsing Lewis in catapulting himself to the head of the division. He was now ranked far ahead of his former conqueror, Tua, who had lost to Lewis only six months later.
Well since then, a lot has changed. Rahman was knocked out by Lewis in the rematch, pretty easily too. Tua kept busy, but hit another speed bump when he faced Chris Byrd, a skillful and speedy southpaw (and a current title holder). After that fight he continued to fight on a regular basis, beating some notable fighters, and now finds himself ranked in the top five of almost everybody's lists, and all the major belt organizations. Rahman went on to challenge former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, and lost a decision. Luckily for him the fight was stopped mid-way, due to a head butt. Before the stoppage Rahman was on his way to getting knocked out, after employing a foolish strategy.
Now these two fighters are less than a fortnight away from meeting for a second time. These two fighters appear to be moving in opposite directions. Tua hopes to use Rahman as a spring board to another title shot, while Rahman tries to breathe life back into his failing career.
Lets break it down...
Physical: Rahman stands at 6'2, and has weighed anywhere between 225 and 240 in his recent bouts. He has an 82-inch reach. Tua is a short, stocky, fighter, and is two inches shy of six feet tall. He has a 69-inch reach. Tua usually weights in around 240 pounds. The most significant difference between these two fighters is the chin. Tua is considered by most, myself included, as having the best chin in the division today. Rahman's chin has been shaky at times. Both men have good power, but Tua is certainly the better puncher of the two. Traditionally, Rahman has the physical advantage, but once their styles are accounted for, it may seem like Tua advantages will be more substantial.
Skills and Style: Rahman's style has been known to change a bit between fights. He used to be a skillful fighter that worked behind a jab, and set up a powerful right hand. In his last fight he reverted to leaning on his opponent, and throwing an occasional punch; a strategy that led to his loss. In his loss to Lewis he was timid and highly defensive, until he was knocked out. It is impossible to tell which Rahman will show up next Saturday. For his sake, it had better be the jabber. Tua is the typical short, stocky fighter. He is slow and one-dimensional. But that one-dimension happens to be devastating when implemented properly. He follows his opponents, absorbs a great deal of damage, until he lands that vaunted left hook, usually leading to a knockout.
Resume: These two contenders have fought many top rated opponents, and have had their moments at, or near, the top of the division. Rahman (35-4, with 29 KOs) has held the USBA heavyweight title, which he won 1996. In 1997 he won the IBF intercontinental title. In 2000 he won the WBU heavyweight tile. These fringe titles were the only belts Rahman was able to win until 2001 when he beat Lennox Lewis, and won all three major titles (IBF, WBA, and WBC), and with it the linear, undisputed, championship. He currently has no titles. Tua (42-3, with 37 KOs) won his first title in 1996, when he got the WBC intercontinental belt. In 1998 he won the USBA and IBF intercontinental titles. In 2002 he won the NABF title.
Potent Notables:
Hasim Rahman has fought many top ranked, and well-known, fighters. In 1996 he defeated Trevor Berbick by decision. In 1997 he edged out Obed Sullivan in a split decision. In 1998 he lost the first fight with David Tua by knockout. In 1999 he was knocked out again, this time by Oleg Maskaev. He won a brawl against Corrie Sanders (now famous for knockout of W. Klitschko). He then had the two fights with Lennox Lewis in 2001, winning one, and losing one, both by knockout. Most recently he lost a decision to Evander Holyfield.
Tua first burst on the scene with a 19 second knockout of John Ruiz in 1996. Tua also fought, and beat, David Izon that same year. In 1997 he knocked Oleg Maskaev out. That same year he received his first loss at the hands of Ike Ibeabuchi, in a classic slugfest. In 1998 he knocked out Hasim Rahman. In 2000 he knocked Obed Sullivan out. He then lost to Lennox Lewis later that year, by a landslide decision. In 2001 he knocked Danell Nicholson out, and then lost by decision to Chris Byrd. In 2002 he beat both Fres Oqeundo and Michael Moorer by knockout.
For both fighters, there is also a who's who of popular journeymen (far too numerous to mention here) scattered between their more notable opponents.
What have you done for me lately?
Tua's last five fights have come against Russell Chasteen, Michael Moorer, Fres Oqeundo, Garing Lane, and Chris Byrd. Against these fighters (two contenders, two journeymen, and one former heavyweight champion) Tua lost on decision to Byrd, and won the others by KO or TKO.
Rahman's last five bouts were against Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis (Twice), Frankie Swindell, and Corrie Sanders. Against these fighters (Four top rated opponents and one journeyman) Rahman has won three by knockout, lost on by decision (Holyfield), and one by knockout (to Lewis in the rematch).
The Common Denominator
Obed Sullivan: Sullivan was a top cruiserweight and a decent heavyweight. Tua knocked Sullivan out in 51 seconds in 1997. Rahman won a razor thin decision in that same year.
Garing Lane: Lane is a journeyman that has fought many of today's top heavyweights. In 1998 Rahman KOed Lane in two rounds. Tua took eight rounds to KO Lane.
Oleg Maskaev: Maskaev was once considered at top contender in the division, but has since dropped off the radar due to a suspect chin and several losses. Tua knocked Maskaev out in 11 rounds in 1997. Rahman was knocked out by Maskaev in 1999.
Lennox Lewis: Lewis is the current linear heavyweight champion of the world, and the undisputed champion, despite the fact that he has only one belt. Both Tua and Rahman are best known for their bouts with Lewis. Tua was thoroughly out-boxed by Lewis over 12 rounds, and literally lost every round. However, he did absorb many of Lewis best punches and kept coming forward. Rahman knocked Lewis out in their first match-up in the 5th round. In the rematch, Lewis knocked Rahman out in 4, after completely dominated Rahman along the way.
Predictions:
Before any predictions can be made, one thing must be clear. Tua has the ability to KO Rahman, as is obvious from their first fight, but it is highly unlikely that Rahman, despite his considerable power, can knock Tua out, down, or even rock him in the least. So a Rahman KO is out.
There are two ways this fight can go. If the Rahman that fought Holyfield turns up, this will be a very short night, with Tua plowing through Rahman. Rahman cannot afford to stand, lean on, and exchange with Tua. Tua is far too strong for that type of plan to work. If Rahman comes out behind his jab, solid right hand, and steady movement, he should be able to completely out box Tua, just as he did for the first 9 rounds of their first fight. Tua has always has a great deal of trouble with a jabbing fighter that can move a little. Many, many fighters have been able to frustrate Tua, make him look foolish, and totally out-skill him. That is until Tua catches them with one punch and ends the fight. Only the best fighters have been able to avoid that almost inevitable punch.
Tua has that great chin, which has been able to allow him to take tons of punishment until finally landing a KO punch. The real question is, can Rahman outbox Tua for 12 rounds and never get hit by the KO shot? So many times we have seen fighters win round after round, and then BOOM, it was all over. Based on what Rahman has done in the last few fights, I don't think Rahman is going to pull it off. I see him winning the first 4 to 5 rounds, and then Tua will win by knockout. Tua's stock will continue to rise, while Rahman' will descend one more step.
Any comments or Questions. Email me at Beowolf88@aol.com
