By Peter Jessup
David Tua has a date with Mike Tyson - not quite the one he wants but still a step up on his path to the world heavyweight title.
Tua will be on the undercard at the MGM Grand when Tyson takes on former world cruiserweight Orlin Norris on October
23, his opponent as yet unknown but the Aucklander assured his spot in the world boxing limelight.
It's a shift from the HBO to Showtime television networks and appears to signal that change will be on Tua and manager Kevin Barry's minds when they come to renegotiate his contract with Main Events at the end of this year.
Tua will have one further fight in December, a Christmas break at home, and hopes for his world title shot sometime next year. He's fit and focused to do what he's spent the last seven of his 26 years aiming to do. "Do it once, do it right." He's full of mantras now. "If you fear being conquered you're sure of defeat."
But after a month living at Barry's home to ensure proper diet and training Tua is calmly confident, not arrogant but sure of his ability when he gets his chance.
That will depend on the outcome of the Holyfield-Lewis re-match in November and the rating order the respective No 1 contenders from the WBA, WBC (Henry Akinwande) and IBF (Tua) are given.
Tua isn't fazed by the idea of mixing it in the bigtime with the likes of Don King and is philosophical about the fact he could have little control over events that will determine his future.
The prediction he gave before Lewis fought a 12-round draw with Holyfield was that the Briton would have to knock Holyfield out to win.
He leaves for his Florida training camp and hard sparring on September 19. Barry wants a repeat of Tua's 79-second demolition of Holyfield's sparring partner Gary Bell in July.
"We want David to come out hard and fast and take the guy apart as fast as possible in front of the world's media. He doesn't need ringtime now. He's ready to go."
