NEW YORK (July 15, 2010) – Power-punching David “Tuamanator” Tua isn’t looking past his opponent Saturday night, former world title challenger Monte “Two Gunz” Barrett, despite being mentioned as a future opponent for world champions David Haye and the Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali.
Tua trained in Jersey City, New Jersey to prepare for Saturday night’s 12-round main event fight on the “T-N-T at the Tropicana” pay-per-view event, presented by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, at Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey..
Tua (51-3-1, 43 KOs), rated No. 2 by the World Boxing Organization, hasn’t fought in Atlantic City for eight years, however, he’s undefeated fighting there in 13 fights with 12 knockouts.
“I have to do what needs to be done right up through Saturday night’s fight,” Tua said. “Everything has been fantastic in camp. I have to stay on top of what’s important, focusing 100-percent on my fight against Barrett. Israel Garcia (sparring partner) has given me good, honest work in the gym. I’m not done, yet. I have to maintain – mind, body and emotions. I can’t let my emotions run away from me and start thinking about other things.”
Other things could be his second world title fight, after losing his only opportunity 10 years ago to undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis by 12-round decision. “It’s exciting times for me but I can’t get fixed on a world title fight with this important fight in front of me,” Tua explained. “I know I have to keep winning or there won’t be another world title fight for me and that’s motivating enough to keep me going.
“In any sport, including boxing, the goal is to compete for the world title. My one chance didn’t go my way, but I still consider that the highlight of my career to date. I have a goal and that’s to fight for the world title again. I’m not going to be fighting forever; I figure I have 2-3 good years left. I would be satisfied to reach my goal and say I did it. After that, I can finish on my own terms. That would be sweet.”
Tua has defeated four world champions– John Ruiz (KO1), Michael Moorer (KO1) and Oleg Maskaev (KO11) in Atlantic City, in addition to Hasim Rahman (KO10) — but the Somoan strongman has never captured the coveted belt, resulting in his dubious label as the best non-world heavyweight champion of contemporary times.
Promoted by Cedric Kushner’s Gotham Boxing, Tua will put his WBO Asia Pacific and WBO Oriental heavyweight titles on the line against Barrett (34-9, 20 KOs), who is also perfect fighting in Atlantic City with a 7-0 (5 KOs) record.
“I believe everything happens for a reason,” Tua concluded. “I look at my time away from the sport, not by my choice, when I was able to be with my wife and boys, and I also got a good rest. I’ve been blessed; I’m lucky to still be fighting at this level. I’ve come back and gotten to this point in my career. At this stage of my life, I just want another world title shot. To have that chance I need to take care of business Saturday night against Barrett.”
New Zealand’s national indigenous broadcaster, Maori Television, will present exclusive, live and free-to-air coverage of Tua’s July 17th fight.
T-N-T at the Tropicana is being promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and will be shown live at 8 PM/ET – 5 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, Avail-TVN and DISH Network in the United States and Puerto Rico for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. You can also catch the PPV telecast in France, New Zealand, Australia, and via tape delayed in numerous other countries throughout the World. The exciting undercard will go live on PPV at 8 PM/ET – 5 PM/PT with the Tua vs. Barrett main event scheduled to go on air at approximately 10 PM/ET – 7 PM/PT.
Tickets may be purchased by calling the Star Boxing office at (718) 823-2000 or visiting www.starboxing.com. Tickets are priced at $100 (ringside), $50 and $30. Star Boxing is currently holding exclusive $200 VIP Packages, call for more information. Tickets may also be purchased at any Ticketmaster outlet, or by going online to Ticketmaster.com. Tickets may also be purchased at the Tropicana North Tower Box Office. The Tropicana Casino and Resort is located at 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ and can be contacted by calling (609) 340-4000.
Go to www.GothamBoxing.com for additional information about Tua, his July 17th fight or Gotham Boxing.
Tua vs. Barrett This Saturday
On Saturday night, the WBO’s #2 rated heavyweight in the world, David Tua (51-3-1, 43KO’s) squares off against former heavyweight title challenger, Monte Barrett (34-9, 20KO’s) at the Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City. The show, T-N-T at the Tropicana, is being promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and will air live on Pay-Per-View. Tua vs. Barrett is scheduled for twelve rounds, and will be for Tua’s WBO Asian Pacific and WBO Oriental titles.
Both Tua (13-0, 12KO’s) and Barrett (7-0, 5KO’s) have had great success when fighting in Atlantic City. Three of Tua’s twelve knockouts in Atlantic City have come against former heavyweight world champions, including a thirty second first round knockout over former heavyweight world champion Michael Moorer, an 11th round TKO over former champ Oleg Maskaev, and an explosive nineteen second destruction over former champ John Ruiz.
WEIGH-IN THURSDAY ON BOARDWALK OPEN TO PUBLIC
Tua and Barrett will weigh-in for their heavyweight title fight on Thursday at 3PM outside of the Tropicana Casino and Resort on the boardwalk. The weigh-in is open to the public and both fighters will be available for pictures and interviews following the weigh-in.
CATCH IT LIVE ON PPV
T-N-T at the Tropicana is being promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and will be shown live at 8 PM/ET – 5 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, Avail-TVN and DISH Network in all U.S. Territories and Puerto Rico for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. You can also catch the telecast in France, New Zealand, Australia and via tape delay in numerous other countries throughout the World. The exciting undercard will go live on PPV at 8 PM/ET – 5 PM/PT with the Tua vs. Barrett main event scheduled to go on air at approximately 10 PM/ET – 7 PM/PT.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Tickets can be purchased by calling the Star Boxing office at (718) 823-2000 or visiting www.starboxing.com. Tickets are priced at $100 (ringside), $50 and $30. Star Boxing is currently holding exclusive $200 VIP Packages, call for more information. Tickets may also be purchased at any Ticketmaster outlet, or by going online to Ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available for purchase at the Tropicana North Tower Box Office or by phone at (609) 340-4000. The Tropicana Casino and Resort is located at 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ.
NYC PRESSER RESULTS
Earlier today at the beautiful Palm Restaurant (Palm West) in New York City, Star Boxing hosted a luncheon press conference for Saturday night’s PPV show in Atlantic City. In attendance were both main event fighters, David Tua (51-3-1, 43KO’s), Monte Barrett (34-9, 20KO’s), and their camps, Star Boxing President and CEO, Joe DeGuardia, Cedric Kushner (Tua’s promoter), as well as many of the event’s sponsors and an abundant of media.
DeGuardia kicked off the presser, thanking all those in attendance, especially the fighters and sponsors who made this fight possible. DeGuardia also took time to talk about the stacked undercard that features some of New Jersey’s and the greater Philadelphia area’s top talent, and includes six up and coming undefeated fighters.
DeGuardia then got into the main event at hand.
“This fight has been a long-time coming,” stated DeGuardia. “Both David and Monte came up together through the ranks, and for a long-time were considered to be two of the top contenders in the heavyweight division. These guys go back to the famous “Heavyweight Explosion Days”. I have been involved with Monte for a long-time, first as his manager, then as his promoter. Both of these guys look in great shape, and as everyone knows, David is one of the biggest punchers in heavyweight history. This fight has excitement written all over it, and I know that come this Saturday, everyone is going to be in for a real treat.”
Kushner was the next to speak, also thanking everyone for coming.
“This is going to be a terrific fight and a terrific event all around,” stated Kushner. “This is a very important fight for the heavyweight division. David is ranked number two in the WBO, and I can honestly say that I believe, and have believed for a very long time, that he is the best heavyweight out there without a championship belt. A win on Saturday night, should give him a chance to finally claim a championship.”
MONTE BARRETT
Barrett was the first of the two fighters to address the media.
“I want to thank Star Boxing, and everyone else involved with putting this event together. I also want to thank David for giving me this opportunity. I want to thank my team for getting me ready for this fight, I haven’t felt this new and restored since I beat Dominick Guinn. I am physically and mentally one hundred percent ready to go Saturday night. In some of my losses I just wasn’t right mentally, or I didn’t have ample training, but for this fight I have no excuses. I have a lot of respect for David, I know what he brings to the table and I know this fight isn’t going to be a walk in the park, but I trained my butt off, and I am not worried about what David is going to do Saturday night, I just need to worry about what Monte is going to do.”
Then Barrett made a very important announcement.
“Win, lose or draw, this is going to be my last fight, and I am looking to go out with a bang, not get banged out. I want to end my career on a high note, and everyone will see how prepared I am to do that come Saturday night. What makes this fight even more fitting to end my career is that it’s with Joe (DeGuardia), who I began my career with.”
DAVID TUA
Tua was the last to speak.
“I have had a great training camp and I am very focused and very well prepared,” said a noticeably very fit Tua. Must note that Tua looked to be in the best shape he has looked in years.
“I’m happy to be fighting back in Atlantic City, where I have had much success throughout my career. I am looking for a good strong test Saturday night from Monte. All my focus is on this fight and this fight only right now, I just can’t wait to get in that ring Saturday night.”