Boxing: Too little, Tua late

David Tua's career may have suffered a fatal blow last night. Photo / Getty Images

Blood. sweat. And tears from Mum. In the 58th fight of an 18-year professional career, a bloodied David Tua failed to find his redemption last night.

In front of an electric home crowd in South Auckland, Tua overcame a cautious start before gradually overwhelming Barrett in the latter rounds but failed to do enough, the American winning a unanimous points decision thanks to solid work in the early rounds.

Tua displayed his trademark power but lacked the follow up punches, failing to come up with the combinations that have worked so well in the past.

The 10th round looked like it would be key; after finally landing a fearsome combination Tua raised his arms in victory, daring Barrett to come at him. The American dodged a bullet for the rest of the round but the damage appeared done.

Tua compounded the punishment in the penultimate round, with Barrett saved by the bell as Tua inflicted a brutal array of punches. In the final round, with a minute on the clock, Tua sent Barrett to the canvas. He didn't want to get up, but was urged to do so by his corner and that was the winning of the fight after Tua failed to land the ultimate blow.

Earlier Tua soaked up some punishment from Barrett, who started the fight with more energy and accuracy, before he gradually started to find his range.

It was hard to criticise Tua's courage last night, as he dug himself out of an early hole, but perhaps it was his conditioning that failed him. The work rate wasn't quite there against the agile Barrett and in the end that proved costly.

Barrett looked the more composed throughout the fight, though he also made judicious use of his elbows and the ropes to get himself out of trouble when Tua threatened. The 40-year-old Barrett also knew that he was one punch from the end.

Barrett, in the blue corner last night, was regarded as a journeyman in some circles before that career-defining knockdown of Tua in July last year. He believed he won that fight - a view confirmed by Tua on Friday when he said he felt "in his heart" he lost the bout.

Barrett is underrated. He is a good mover with a solid punch who came into this fight in great shape.

But we were back in South Auckland - and this was definitely David Tua territory. King Kapisi warmed up the crowd, while up in his dressing room an intense looking Tua listened to Carlos Santana. He looked like he meant business as he entered the ring.

He was accompanied by his usual huge entourage of almost 20 people and seemed to put an incredible amount of energy into the Samoan and New Zealand national anthems.

It was a cautious opening, with Barrett first to find his range with the jab, and landing a strong right hand late in the first round. He landed another right flush on Tua's chin midway through the second. Tua was content to soak it up, but was struggling to make any inroads either inside or outside.

A spectator behind wondered: "Why isn't he fighting?" But the hometown man was doing as much as the American would allow him.

To the crowd's dismay, Tua soaked up more punishment at the start of round three and incurred a cut above his eye. His timing seemed off; but this was the time to dig deep.

The fourth round was more even, with Tua finally landing a couple of hooks that rolled across Barrett's chin. He ended the round with a wry smile; perhaps of frustration or perhaps knowing he had soaked up everything Barrett had to give. He drew blood in the fifth round, catching the New Yorker above the eye but failed to land any follow up punches.

Tua was convincing in the sixth round, with a booming left that dislodged Barrett's mouthguard, but again couldn't follow it up. He was starting to crack the safe - but couldn't find the right combination.

At this stage, Barrett looked sturdy and balanced. It was enough to see him home.