David Tua usually talks about his fights as if they are the beginning of a journey to bigger and better things.
Now, for the first time, he has admitted his next fight - a rematch against Monte Barrett at Manukau's TelstraClear Events Centre on August 13 - could mark the
end of his pugilistic travels.
"This could potentially be my last fight," Tua said. "If I can't beat this guy then I've got to look at maybe doing something else. There is a lot on the line for this fight."
It's a fair assessment. After sandwiching a controversial draw with Barrett between points victories over Friday Ahunanya and Demetrice King, Tua's stock has fallen a long way from the aftermath of his demolition of Shane Cameron in late 2009.
Although still ranked No 3 by the WBO, Tua needs an impressive knockout to get back into contention for a title shot.
"This fight needs to be explosive in every way," he said.
Given that Barrett inflicted the only knockdown of his career on the 52-3-2 Tua, he shouldn't lack motivation. However, whether the 38-year-old can summon the rage he displayed against Cameron is another question.
These days Tua appears more like a man content with his lot in life than a fighter desperate to carve out a world title shot.
His training so far has consisted of touch rugby, pick-up basketball games and mucking in at his sons' rugby practices.
"The motivation is always there; the anger, I don't think that needs to be part of the motivation, to be honest," he said. "A happy fighter is a dangerous fighter."
We'll see.
With regular promotor Cedric Kushner unwell, Tua will promote the fight himself with Sky. With ticket sales limited to 3000 and no plans for corporate sales, Tua and Sky will be relying on a strong pay-per-view uptake to generate revenue.
Barrett's strong showing in the first fight - which included dropping Tua to the canvas for the first time in his professional career in the final round - should ensure a decent level of interest.
Barrett had promised to retire win or lose but the 40-year-old, 34-9-2 American clearly hadn't factored in a draw.
"I think he was obviously not satisfied with the outcome and I don't blame him," Tua said. "So we'll sort it out."
Tua is hoping to link with Roger Bloodworth, the American who trained him for the Cameron fight. If Bloodworth is unavailable, local trainer Chris Martin will get the job.
David Tua. Photo / Getty Images
David Tua usually talks about his fights as if they are the beginning of a journey to bigger and better things.
Now, for the first time, he has admitted his next fight - a rematch against Monte Barrett at Manukau's TelstraClear Events Centre on August 13 - could mark the
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