Boxing: Tua puts hype on hold for do or die

By PETER JESSUP

David Tua fights for redemption in Las Vegas today, when he goes in against the taller, heavier, longer-reaching Danell Nicholson for the No 1 contender position in the heavyweight division.

Win, and he is back in line to fight Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis.

Lose, and he will be right down the ranks and scrapping for workingman's wages.

Nicholson, at 1.9m, is 13cm taller than Tua. And with 39 wins from his 42 bouts, he is no slouch.

Tua's manager, Kevin Barry, said his fighter was fitter than ever after 111 rounds in sparring and the equivalent of 850 rounds of gym work.

He had a lower body fat count than before the Lewis bout in last November, and although only slightly lighter at 245 pounds (111.1kg) as opposed to 247 (112kg)for Lewis, his waist is nearly five inches (12.7cm) in.

"Dave looks great," Barry said yesterday. "He's a little on edge, which I like. Maybe he was a bit too relaxed before Lewis."

The hard gym work was aimed at giving Tua the confidence to know he could go through the pain barrier.

Trainer Joe Goosen has been in Tua's face the whole time, then back in it after he had showered, reviewing the session.

The extra communication is what the camp now feels was missing with departed trainer Ronnie Shields.

Tua has nicknamed Goosen "Moses," because he is going to lead them to the Promised Land.

"Joe is confident he has rectified the problems of last November. What you'll see is a faster, busier Tua, with hands held higher. He will be moving in, throwing punches," Barry said.

But they are worried about 30-year-old Nicholson.

"He'll be fighting out of fear and he's got plenty of skill," Barry said.

Tua has remained at his Prince Ranch camp. He went to the fight venue, at the 1700-seat Texas Station casino, yesterday for the weigh-in, then back to camp.

"There are no frills this time," Barry said. There will be no drums or music as he enters the ring. There have been no television interviews, no public trainings. The hairdo is the same, but will be tied in a knot to stop sweat dripping in his eyes.

"There are no distractions. David is very aware what the game plan is and what the repercussions could be if he let's it go the same as it did against Lewis."

The fight will screen live on TV3, the undercard starting at 4 pm. That includes a heavyweight bout between Fres Querdo, of Chicago, who is trained by Felix Trinidad sen, and Clifford Etienne, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Both fighter have unblemished records from 19 bouts.

Etienne was on the Tua-Lewis undercard and has been moving up the rankings, and is a possible next opponent if the Aucklander beats Nicholson.

"We have a very good feeling about him doing that," Barry said.