Boxing: At last - Tua fires both barrels

Tua on his way to victory against Talmadge Griffis last night. Picture / Dean Purcell

David Tua's expected victory over journeyman Talmadge Griffis at Waitakere's Trust Stadium last night came with just 25 seconds left in a contest that was decidedly like his world heavyweight title fight against Lennox Lewis.

Tua left it until the dying seconds to get to his busiest. Griffis was no Lewis and folded under the late flurry, with referee Lance Revill stepping in to limit the damage.

But the American will go back to Colorado Springs considering himself a winner for making it to the 10th round. He used his height, reach and speed in movement advantage to stay away from Tua's dangerous hooks.

As a gauge of Tua's ability to move back up the world rankings, it proved little. His promoter, Cedric Kushner, wants him back in the ring within three months and that's what it looks like Tua needs - work.

Throughout the fight Griffis' corner kept telling him to move his head so as to give the South Aucklander no target, to pick up the pace and to fight at his range. He did that well.

A partisan crowd of around 4000 wanted more from their hero and at times a chant went up but Tua responded only in short bursts, until that last round. He looked calm and in control throughout but it was not the early KO and dominating performance required to lift his stocks well up the rankings.

It wasn't until round three that Tua started to work into the fight. Griffis was scared early, backing away furiously, but he built confidence as the fight wore on.

Two minutes into round 10 he started to look shaky. Tua backed him to the ropes and delivered lefts and rights that made the visitor appear to be watching tennis and Revill stepped in as his hands fell.

Tua jumped to the ropes to raise gloves to the supportive crowd.

Only Kushner looked calm, as if it was what he expected. Like the November 2000 title fight, it was an ordinary contest headed for a points decision - this one would have been in Tua's favour, mainly because he did all the pursuing.

After the fight, Tua said it was good to be back in the ring. "It's been two years but it's like riding a bike again. You know, you fall off it but you gotta get back on and have another go."

On the undercard, veteran Sean Sullivan lost a split points decision to gutsy Colin Hunia from Rotorua. Sullivan for once ran out of steam late, his increasing age denying him the power to damage Hunia.

The judges scored it 78-77, 78-74 and 75-77. Sullivan should finish while he's still sensible.

Rico Chong Nee was too clever for Moroni Schwalger and won a TKO 10 seconds into the last of four rounds and US visitor Tipton Walker's bout against an out-of-condition Fai Falemoe was declared a draw.

Australian world champion Sharon Anyos won a split decision over a brave Christina Tai in her first pro-bout.