Boxing: Refreshed Tua keen to get back on track

By Peter Jessup

David Tua has had a ringing in his ears for the past couple of months, but it is nothing to do with hits around the head.

He has been home for two months, playing indoor cricket with some Indian friends from Otahuhu College, tenpin bowling at Manurewa, going one-on-one at half-court basketball in local parks, cycling the streets where he grew up in South Auckland in training.

And everywhere he has gone he has heard people in the background saying things like: "No, that can't be him. He's in Las Vegas," or "Nah, what would he be doing cycling around Mangere."

So for those naysays - yes, it was David Tua, contender for the world heavyweight boxing crown. And he is such a good-hearted champ, you should have gone and asked for his autograph.

Tua looks good for his biggest year in boxing. He is 116kg, close to fight weight, and "in shape to get in shape."

There's a slight change in appearance since he was last on our screens, the bleached hairdo and goatee shaved clean. That's his mum's influence. "She told me I can do what I want with my hair when I'm away, but at home, it's like this," as he rubs his hand across the top of a number one cut.

The break, which he sorely needed after the hard work that got him the title tilt, brings him down to earth in more ways than one.

The beds at the Mangere home of Noella and Tuavale Tua are all taken by his sisters so he sleeps on the floor.

"I sleep well. It feels like home because there's no special treatment. I'm not a boxing star or a face from television. I'm one of them."

Tua has already been sidelined twice by the big boys who control boxing by pulling purse-strings, but now he is guaranteed a title shot.

It is all supposed to happen in September. Tua is ready, but relaxed. Focused, but philosophical about the possibility of another delay.

On Monday he leaves for New York to sit ringside as Evander Holyfield fights Lennox Lewis in the bout that will determine who he gets to step up against.

Tua is going not so much to learn what he is in for as to press his claims, to walk the walk and talk the talk of the Madison Square Garden big-time before he heads back into the Main Events camp at New Jersey with trainer Ronnie Shields.

He describes Holyfield South Auckland style: "He's a pretty choice dude." And Lennox Lewis is "a nice guy." But Tua is mentally prepared to beat the living daylights out of either one if they will let him get in the ring.

"No, I don't fear them. I wouldn't be in this business unless I thought I could beat anyone," he said.

Defending champion Holyfield did Tua a big favour three years ago when trying to reclaim his title, calling the then up-and-comer into sparring.

"I got into the ring thinking of him in awe, like `he's the best, he's been No 1 and he's going to be again,'" Tua said.

"But after one round I came to the corner and said to my trainer `I can kick this guy's backside.' I intend to capitalise on that."

He has no problems after the operation last year to remove bone chips from his elbow and, at 26, feels he is harder, faster, more mature physically.

His manager, Kevin Barry, nods agreement, saying he has never felt Tua hitting as hard as he hits the pads now.

Both Tua and Barry warn that not too much should be read into the long, punishing bout with Hasim Rahman that ended in controversy when the ref stopped the fight in the 10th round.

That match-up came after a Don King backdoor dealmaking induced delay, so he had trained to peak earlier, then had to train up again. Barry says with hindsight that his charge was tired.

But Tua's response is that he would love to fight Rahman again, first because he does not like the way Rahman has been bad-mouthing him and second because "I know I can knock him out, anytime. He gave me everything he had but I didn't give it back.

"I wasn't thinking combos, I wasn't thinking about staying out of reach, I was just being patient and waiting for my opening. He doesn't faze me at all."

In the confused world of heavyweight boxing, he may well have to fight Rahman again. The Holyfield-Lewis fight will stir the alphabet soup and align the WBA, IBF and WBC belts.

Next up is WBA champ and Don King charge Henry Akinwande, who commands little attention in the United States. Rumour has it King will shift the fight to Africa to draw a crowd.

Then it is IBF No 1 contender Tua. In the mist is Mike Tyson. Money may mean a Holyfield-Tyson rematch intervenes in Tua's career. Third in line is John Ruiz, hammered in 19s by Tua in 1996.

"I have all the patience in the world," he said. "They can't stop me this time."
Meantime, he will probably have two build-up bouts, the first around late April or May.

A lacklustre performance against a lower-ranked opponent now would carve zeroes off his worth to television and off his eventual title-shot paycheque, so expect Tua to win well.

Tua, 33-1 since turning pro seven years ago, has the hard-man attitude, the self-confidence, the ability, a left that flattens people.

His focus is clear: at night he dreams of standing on the ropes at Madison Square Garden, holding his fists up in jubilation as world champion.

Pictured: David Tua.