By James Slater: New Zealand fight fans are excitedly awaiting this Saturday’s return match between heavyweights David Tua and Monte Barrett. Samoan slugger and New Zealand fan favourite Tua was sensationally knocked down for the first time in his long career when he tangled with the 40-year-old New Yorker known as “Two Gunz” last July, and the drawn verdict was controversial. Now the two veterans will do it again just over a year on.
Tua, the younger man by two years, has said he will quit boxing if he loses on Saturday; yet in other conversations, “The Tuaman” has spoken of challenging once again for the world title. Barrett, in speaking with Sunday News in Auckland, said he has pushed his body far harder than even he thought was possible, and that fans better get ready for an edge-of-seat ride.
“This is going to be my first win overseas,” Barrett said. “I have put more preparation into this fight than my whole career. I didn’t even know my body could do so much at [age] 40. I think it’s going to be an action-packed fight. I think it’s going to be very intense and I think everyone will be on the edge of their seats. I expect David Tua to come out and give his all. He has a point to prove. That’s what I have prepared for. I have had ten sparring partners for this fight.
“I feel like I’m peaking and I’m looking forward to victory.”
Barrett, whose career surely peaked a number of years ago, added how he stopped three of his spar-mates “without even trying.” However, he will have to try his hardest if he’s to beat the stocky, hard-hitting Tua – in my opinion, anyway. I was shocked when Barrett – coming off stoppage losses to David Haye and Odlanier Solis as he was – was able to fight so well against Tua last summer. Maybe he will surprise me again and actually defeat Tua this time?
If Barrett does manage to pull it off, Tua’s career will almost certainly be over. But Tua’s trainer, Chris Martin, isn’t thinking about a loss – he is confident and planning further big fights for Tua. Martin sees the heavyweight division as being “wide open,” and he feels there are a number of top names his charge is capable of beating.
“David has got more to offer the heavyweight division,” the trainer said. “ If you look at the division, it’s wide open. There are guys who lost and then 18 months later they are getting to fight the Klitschkos. I still think that he [Tua] is one of the best heavyweights in the world. If he can get a few fights under his belt, there are guys around that he could beat now.
“Take Chris Arreola, he’s tailor-made for David with his style and he’s probably America’s best heavyweight at the moment.”
I’m not sure about Arreola being “tailor-made” for Tua, but this is a fight I have been hoping we would see for a long time now. Fans may feel Tua is shot or close to it – and we will likely get some kind of answer this Saturday – but he and Arreola going at it would not fail to excite, of that I’m convinced!
But Barrett comes first and Saturday’s bout has “must-win” written all over it – for both men.
For what it’s worth, I pick Tua to get a stoppage win this time – in around 6 or 7-rounds.