By James Slater: Although both men are past their best and no longer look like bothering the elite heavyweights, veterans Monte Barrett and David Tua are still capable of providing entertaining fights; especially when matched together.
In its own way, the Barrett-Tua rivalry has both interested and entertained the fans. Both fights – the first being a draw that saw Tua on the mat, the second a points win for “Two Gunz” that saw him hit the deck – provided value for money, and both fights featured lots of leather thrown. Not bad for two men with a combined age of almost 90-years.
Well, the two fights have proved such a hit with the fans of the Samoan and the New Yorker that a third bout is being discussed. This is the word according to the web site of The New Zealand Herald. Reportedly, promoter Cedric Kushner (now parted from Tua but still holding promotional rights on Barrett) is looking at staging a third fight. It is not known where Kushner would prefer to host the fight, but New Zealand would probably be his first choice.
The target date seems to be March, this being the earliest date Tua, 52-4-2(43) feels he would be ready to fight again (this despite the fact that “The Tuaman” fought 40-year-old Barrett back in August, and seemed to come on strong in the 12th and last round, even breaking Barrett’s jaw) – wouldn’t the 38-year-old who has reported back taxes to pay be better off fighting again sooner rather than later?
In any case, a third go between the two heavies whose styles have gelled well in the previous two battles would certainly sell. I for one would watch it!
There is also a suggestion, according to The NZ Herald, that Tua is looking at a possible fight with Mexican/American Chris Arreola. Again, nothing has happened beyond the talking stage (and it’s not clear if Team-Tua has even spoken with Team-Arreola at this point), but this particular match-up has been on the lips of fans for the longest time.
Whatever Tua and Barrett, 35-9-2(20) decide to do, they had better get on with it fast. Neither guy has time on his side, and what few reaming paydays the two have will need to be collected fast. I do feel the two men who have paid their dues will give us a couple more watchable fights before they’re done, though.