by James Slater: Finally set to meet on October 3rd, in what will be one of the biggest fights in New Zealand’s history, are on-off-on again heavyweight rivals David Tua and Shane Cameron. The showdown is being hyped up quite a bit in the homeland of the two sluggers, and today at a press conference to further hype the intriguing fight “The Tuaman” and “The Mountain Warrior” let it be known how there is no love lost between them – and according to a news article in TV New Zealand, the dislike is real, and not a mere ploy to shift tickets.
36-year-old Tua, 49-3-1(42) is best known among general fights fans, due to his great and hi-profile fights with the likes of John Ruiz (a great KO anyway), Hasim Rahman, Lennox Lewis and, in one of the best fights of the 90’s, Ike Ibeabuchi. Younger and far more active man Cameron, 23-1(20) can fight hard too, however, and an explosive battle is expected in October.
The two men traded barbs at today’s press conference.
“You better be ready, man,” 31-year-old Cameron growled.
“I was born ready, man. I’m born ready,” Tua shot back.
(Cameron) “You call yourself a professional – how long have you been out of the ring for?” (referring to Tua’s now near-two years of inactivity)
(Tua) “It doesn’t make any difference – at least I wasn’t beaten up like you.” (referring to Cameron’s stoppage loss to Friday Ahunanya)
(Cameron) “I’ve seen that Lennox Lewis fight, you took a hiding.”
(Tua) “Yeah, I took a hiding but I am still here, man. I did the impossible, man – and I am still here today.”
(Cameron) “I reckon that was the end of your career at the end of that fight. You haven’t been the same man since.”
(Tua) “Remember when I hurt you that time?” (referring to the time the two men sparred, with Tua getting the better of things)
(Cameron) “What, when I had had one professional fight and you had had about forty?”
At this point the conference had to be halted, as the two men were perhaps in danger of going at one another.
“Usually you say things and hype up the fight but underneath it all there is mutual respect,” Tua said in closing. “This is different.”
It seems a genuine grudge match will take place on October 3rd!
Also of note, and according to Stuff.co.nz, boxing legend “Sugar” Ray Leonard himself will be heading soon to New Zealand to help further promote the big fight. Apparently, Leonard will be in the country to speak at an engagement on September 1st. Tua and Cameron will also be present.