By James Slater: According to a news article at nzherald.co.nz, heavyweight contender Chauncy Welliver has called out big-hitting David Tua, with the backers of “The Hillyard Hammer” guaranteeing Tua a purse of $500,000 should the fight come off.
28-year-old Welliver of Spokane, Washington, but now based in New Zealand, has steadily improved as a fighter since his 2008 stoppage loss to Odlanier Solis, winning 17 bouts in a row since his sole career stoppage defeat. Fighting alternately in America and New Zealand (with one fight taking place in China), the 52-5-5(20) warrior has been extremely active (six fights last year). 39-year-old Tua, last seen losing a decision in a return fight with Monte “Two Gunz” Barrett, has been pondering the idea of retirement, New Zealand media report, but it’s possible he may want one or two more decent paydays before he’s through. And, with the chances of a third fight with Barrett “fading” according to nz.herald.co.nz’s report, Welliver might get lucky and land the fight.
Any Tua fight is a big deal in New Zealand, and with Welliver’s fun style and willingness to rumble, it’s likely the fans would get a good, entertaining fight if the two big men were to agree to hook up. Tua, as has almost always bee the case when he fights, would be giving away height and reach (Welliver is 6’2” to Tua’s 5’10”), but the big equaliser Tua holds is his brutal punching power (what he has left of it these days, seeing how he was unable to put Barrett away).
Welliver, as hard as he’s worked, deserves a big, high profile fight (once a 280-pound fighter, Welliver has got himself down to a far more effective 235). While Tua, 52-4-2(43) owes it to himself to climb into the ring at least once more before his colourful, excitement-filled career is over and done with. If Welliver were to win he’d have a legit claim to ask for a title fight of some kind. If Tua won he’d either decide to call it quits right then and there as a winner, or maybe the victory would spur him on to future bouts.
I for one would certainly tune in to see this potential heavyweight “fun” fight!