Boxing: Injured rib straitjackets Tua

By PETER JESSUP

A rib cartilage injury suffered in training and the lack of solid pre-title bouts caught up with David Tua in Las Vegas yesterday, with the champion Lennox Lewis untested in defending his crown.

Lewis proved he is a great boxer; Tua proved he was the best contender.

The Samoan-South Aucklander also proved his stamina, his ability to take a horrific hiding, and his sportsmanship. There were no complaints afterwards.

Tua never landed a punch that stunned or hurt the champ. He could not get through Lewis' reach and jab, his corner later putting much of the problem down to a second-round blow from Lewis that reinjured the rib.

Tua had been caught by a body shot from sparring partner Lee Alhassan six weeks ago. He saw a specialist in Los Angeles to check the damage, and believed he was 100 per cent going into the fight.

But the crack from Lewis early on shortened up Tua's attack and defence. He was restricted in his movement, manager Kevin Barry said, and could not fully extend his arms.

Tua walked away with the crowd's respect. The fans had booed Lewis at times because of his cautious, backwards approach to the fight, but he did all he had to do, keeping away from dangerous shots.

Judges gave Lewis the victory by scores of 117-111, 119-109 and 119-110.

The statistics tell it all. Lewis threw 674 punches, 300 connecting; Tua threw 413, 110 landing.

It was not the fight plan. Tua was meant to go in hard, turning the fight into a brawl, but never could and admitted later he should have taken more risks.

He worked well to cut the ring off, forcing Lewis to the ropes and trying to push him to punch and open himself up. But Tua did not go out on a limb enough to ensure the win.

"Lewis did all that he had to do," Tua said. "Thank God I wasn't seriously injured. I'm not going to make any excuses. I give much respect and credit to Lennox Lewis."

Lewis credited Tua with a hard head.

"He can take a punch well - okay, well, receive some more, then."

That is just how it was. Tua chasing the champ around and unable to land.

"He's never seen a boxer like Lennox Lewis," the victor said.

Which is true. Lewis prepared with two 12-rounders with Evander Holyfield and early-round knockouts of top-10 fighters Michael Grant and Frans Botha, Tua knocked out lesser lights.

Lewis said he did not realise he had hurt Tua in round two and was wary of the famed left hook right to the end.

"I'm glad that I did not get hit by it, " he said, "especially in the early rounds."

What Tua did do in Las Vegas yesterday was to prove that he was better than Grant, Botha and any others in the top 10, barring Mike Tyson.

The result will not unduly affect Tua's rating, his push for another title shot or his earning ability in the United States.

Next up is likely to be a square-off with Holyfield.

Lewis will go after a huge payday against Tyson.

Herald Online feature: the Tua fight