Redemption Fight, Auckland, NZ by Rick “Diehard” Whiteside: Monte “2 Gunz” Barrett defeats David Tua by unanimous decision ((113-114, 112-115, 112-115).
The fight played out like this:
Round One: Barrett jabs continuously while Tua stays quiet, doesn’t throw a punch until two minutes into the round. Barrett lands a few punches late in the round. Looks like a replay of Tua/Lewis.
Round Two: Tua continues to be sluggish, circling slowly while Barrett strikes with jabs and the occasional combination. Unless Tua is setting a trap, it’s unclear why he’s not fighting at this point. Chants of “Tua, Tua” resonate in the crowd, but he doesn’t lift his game.
Round Three: Tua comes out aggressively without landing a punch, but soon Barrett is the one landing and a cut opens next to Tua’s right eye, with blood streaming for the rest of the round. Tua lunges with a punch and misses as the round closes.
Round Four: More of the same, but Tua finally manages to land a few left hooks. Barrett counters the first few, but the round ends with a good left hook from Tua.
Round Five: And again. The question is whether Tua will wake up at some point and let loose with his punches.
Round Six: Tua finally wakes up and opens the round with a solid right to the body, before they settle into the same pattern. But Tua finally manages to land a few left hooks; Barrett acknowledges one of them but is not shaken by it.
Round Seven: Tua’s best round so far. But even when he lands a left, Tua’s still not following through with another punch. Barrett keeps moving and looks much fresher than Tua at this stage of the fight.
Round Eight: Much the same except for a lengthy stop while Tua’s glove was taped. Barrett’s corner very upset with the delay. Good hook by Tua countered by a combo from Barrett.
Round Nine: Fairly even. Tua stalking, Barrett moving and changing angles. Both fighters miss with their last shots of the round.
Round Ten: The fight changes dramatically. Tua lands several big punches and Barrett has to tie him up. Tua starts taunting Barrett, both fighters go southpaw briefly, Tua sticks his tongue out, and tries to land a killing blow, but Barrett slips the punch.
Round Eleven: Tua much more aggressive, but Barrett managing to stay on his feet. Fight stopped briefly for doctor to look at Tua’s cut, and then Tua comes out with some shots that stagger Barrett but Monte manages to stay on his feet and tie Tua up.
Round Twelve: Tua fighting for his career—with 55 seconds to go knocks Barrett to the canvas with a flurry of punches ending with a solid right hand, but Barrett returns after the count, and manages to hold on for the rest of the round.
Judges go unanimously for Barrett (113-114, 112-115, 112-115).
The question will remain why Tua left his charge so late. Once he let loose with his powerful punches and effective combinations, he dominated Barrett and the fight. But by letting Barrett pile up the rounds, and not managing the KO, he gave the judges no choice but to hand Barrett the fight.