KEY POINTS:
David Tua's corner did their best to get the Auckland heavyweight to prolong his fight in Michigan yesterday but he still ended it impressively in the second round.
In his seventh comeback fight, Tua beat journeyman Cerron Fox on a technical knockout when the referee signalled the end,
1m 41s into the second round of their scheduled 10-rounder after Fox was sent to the canvas for a third time.
It extended Tua's record to 49-3-1 (42 by knockout).
His promoter Cedric Kushner said Tua will fight again on October 19 (NZ time) and he was still planning a title fight for him within six months.
"We want one of the four heavyweights. David is not doing himself a favour because he's knocking out everyone and everyone's running scared," Kushner said.
Even accepting boxing's normal hype and using stepping-stone fights to jockey for position, Tua is in better shape than he has been for a long time. He weighed in at 106kg - his previous fighting weight was around 113kg.
Giving away both significant height (5cm) and reach advantage (3cm) to Fox, 28, Tua could have ended the fight in the first round, as he did against Mexican champion Saul Montana three weeks ago.
Fox opened with some amateurish-looking looping lefts and rights, while Tua replied with solid left hooks and right crosses which had the American wobbling.
However, Tua's corner asked him to slow down and he barely threw another punch - ducking, weaving and jabbing instead until only seconds from the end of the first round when he staggered Fox with another left hook to the head and right to the body. It was clear the end was near even though Fox finished the round on his feet.
Fox started the second with more looping punches.
Another calculated left hook to the jaw sent Fox to the canvas, while a left shot to the head and right to the body floored Fox for a mandatory eight-count. When Fox returned, he looked far more guarded but a solid left hook to the head sent him back to the canvas and the referee stepped in to signal the end.
As Tua was congratulated, Fox was shaking shook his head and trying to check if his jaw was intact.
"Maybe the heavyweight division will sit up and take notice," Tua said referring to the difficulties his camp have had in lining up a more meaningful opponent. "I'm happy with my performance but I'm not satisfied. I know Cedric has been working hard to keep me active."
Tua's latest two fights, although against boxers well past their prime or who had previously fought against opponents of no status, drew impressive comments from ringsiders. Tua appears to have increased his arsenal of punches and didn't just depend on his lethal left hook, stepped around the right better and used his jabs more often. They were also impressed with his shape and hunger for success.