30.03.05 – Talk about jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire, former No. 1 heavyweight contender David Tua of Western Samoa is dodging the former in exchange for the latter. “I had a good rest, but now my wife is standing over me with a frying pan, so I really need to fight again and make some money,” said Tua, who returns to the ring for the first time in more than two years when he faces American Talmadge Griffis in the 10-round main event on a pay-per-view card presented by Cedric Kushner Promotions March 31 in Auckland, New Zealand..
Tua made his domestic and professional comments after the weigh-in, at which he came in at a svelte 235 pounds, 10 less than his most recent bout, the lightest he’s been since 2001 and the second-lightest since 1998.
“I had a tremendous training camp,” said the 32-year-old Tua. “I went back to the basics. I did a lot more roadwork while developing more power in both hands.”
All of which could mean a long–or short–night for Griffis.
“Sure I’m a big underdog,” said the 30-year-old Griffis from Colorado Springs, Colo. “But look what happened with Antonio Tarver upsetting Roy Jones, then Glen Johnson upsetting both Jones and Tarver.
“And you can go back even further to Leon Spinks beating Muhammad Ali, ‘Buster’ Douglas stopping Mike Tyson and, just recently, Danny Williams coming out of nowhere to upset Tyson.
“Winning this fight is my destiny. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime to beat Tua and get instant recognition and be ranked in the heavyweight division.”
Kushner is well aware of the opportunity which awaits Tua if he wins.
“If David takes care of business and shows the old Tua form, then I know he’s going to get the opportunity to fight for a world championship sometime soon.”
“I have to go back to the United States after this fight to further my quest for the heavyweight championship,” said Tua, a devastating slugger with wins over two current or former world champions and a record of 42-3-1 and 37 knockouts.
Griffis has a record of 22-5-3 with 14 knockouts and is considered a much tougher opponent than is normal for a contender fighting for the first time in two years.