By James Slater: It was back on July 17th of last year when veteran heavyweights David Tua and Monte Barrett fought to an exciting 12-round draw. And though its possible some fans have lost interest in the two sluggers since then, the rematch is finally set. According to TVNZ website, the return will go ahead on August 13th, with Pacific Events Centre in Manukau being the likely venue.
Last time, of course, New Yorker “Two Gunz” enjoyed fighting much closer to home, the fight going down in Atlantic City, N.J. This time the 40-year-old will have to travel. But Barrett, 34-9-2(20) has wanted this return as much as his 38-year-old rival has; convinced as he is that he was robbed of a victory last summer. Barrett hasn’t looked good since dropping Tua and holding him to a draw, however. Another draw followed, this one with oft-beaten journeyman Charles Davis, and the January 2011 performance convinced many that Barrett is done.
Tua hasn’t exactly sparkled in recent months himself, though. “The Tuamanator” won a wide decision over Demetrice King in March, but his sizzling KO power was not on display. Now the two men who have seen it all over the process of a long career begin training for their rematch. Tua says he is looking at the second fight as a way of earning redemption.
“It’s redemption,” Tua said ahead of the sequel. “I have to have another go and try and put this right. Monte was up for that fight and he fought well. I take nothing away from him – he did a good job. But boxing is good in that you can get another chance and I’m looking forward to that.”
Tua, 52-3-2(43) is now reported to be assembling his team for the August fight. Roger Bloodworth may or may not be in the Samoan slugger’s corner, but if he isn’t, New Zealander Chris Martin will call the shots. Barrett will presumably be in camp soon if not already.
Back when the first fight was announced last year, my immediate prediction was one of a quick Tua win. Wrong once again, Barrett proved me so by boxing one of his very best fights. But was that performance very much his last hurrah? In light of how poor he looked against the 19-21-2 Davis, maybe it was indeed. Tua appears to have more left. No, he never looked good against King, but he may have wanted to get rounds in the bank. And it must be remembered that Tua was carrying a shoulder injury in the Barrett fight and that the King fight was his first fight back after surgery.
If he’s firing on all cylinders, I feel Tua will do what I thought he’d do last time: namely KO “Two Gunz” inside three-rounds. But Barrett has surprised us before; maybe he can do so again in August.