Monte “Two Gunz” Barrett Has The Fire Back, Wants Tua Rematch In New Zealand

By James Slater: New York heavyweight contender and former world title challenger Monte Barrett told everyone his July 2010 fight with David Tua would be his last, win lose or draw. A huge betting underdog going into the July fight at Atlantic City, “Two Gunz” fought one of his best-ever fights; even becoming the first man to put the rock-chinned Tua on the floor.

The 12-round draw the 39-year-old was given still annoys Barrett, however, and he has decided to put a hold on his retirement plans until he gets the opportunity to face the Samoan slugger for a second time. Barrett keeps busy by taking on journeyman Charles Davis 19-21-2(4) on the under-card of the upcoming Evander Holyfield-Tank Williams “Redemption in America” show in West Virginia.

Barrett earned some redemption of his own with the draw most people thought he’d won against Tua, and the veteran who has battled so many big names during his up and down career hopes to earn himself even more in 2011. Barrett, in an interview with Philboxing.com, explained how he got the fire back at a time when he was thinking about quitting the game.

“I figured I had three to four more fights left in me but I was prepared to retire and work the business side of boxing,” Barrett explained. “It didn’t work out, at least not for now, and I’m back to doing what I do best – box! I was training with some MMA guys and it got the fire back in me, so I took the Tua fight and as a 14-1 underdog I got a draw.

“My options are to fight Tua again. I’m 39 but with science and technology being 39 today is like being 30. We’re experiencing the challenge of the body and the mind. When I’m fully focused I can be at my best and beat Tua. I’m going to stay busy until he mans-up and signs a contract to fight me in New Zealand.”

Barrett, an exciting fighter, win or lose, once told me that he would only retire when “all his bullets have been fired.” Clearly this hasn’t happened yet, and judging by the Tua performance, why shouldn’t Monte stick around for some decent paydays? A return with Tua, in New Zealand especially, would be a big event and Barrett would earn well. And, having the chance to go out of boxing with a big win, Barrett’s motivation is clear.

Tua claims a shoulder injury (that subsequently required surgery) seriously hampered his performance in the July rumble. Tua has not fought since, but he has one more fight left in his TV contract with a New Zealand company, and he is expected to take that bout soon, and then more than likely face Barrett again.

In the meantime, Barrett faces Davis and then perhaps a couple more “tune-up” type opponents. If the Tua rematch doesn’t happen, maybe “Two Gunz” will wind up facing another top-name heavyweight as he closes out his 43-fight pro career. There are a number of potentially interesting and potentially exciting match-ups Barrett could take.

One of the genuine nice guys of the sport, Monte deserves to go out feeling satisfied, with all those bullets spent!