Boxing: Tua team looking for a fight - and nobody's volunteering

By PETER JESSUP

David Tua flies home today, leaving his trainer and manager, Kevin Barry, in the United States to look after the next big fight.

Barry won't have to take any punches, but his mission is just as difficult - he has to get Tua another bout.

The Samoan-born New Zealand heavyweight's 30-second win over Michael Moorer on Sunday has helped and hurt his chances of getting another world title shot.

His credibility is reinforced, because whatever Moorer's ability to mount a comeback, he was no stumblebum, and a quick knockout in a heavyweight fight is impressive under any circumstances.

But who will now want to get in the ring with the man who has the two quickest knockouts in the top division - the Moorer half-minute and a 19-second win over John Ruiz in 1996?

Everyone is waiting while world champion Lennox Lewis decides whether he will retire or, if not, who he will fight.

The IBF has Chris Byrd as mandatory challenger and intends putting that fight to a purse bid on September 5, which will force the issue.

The American fight media has Lewis' most likely next opponent as Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko.

The champion has said he is not interested in fighting beaten opponents Tua, Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman or Mike Tyson again.

A poll of American fight fans on the bout they would most like to see Tyson fight next came out overwhelmingly in favour of Tua.

Tua's camp would love a Tyson fight, but Barry doesn't believe it will happen because the former champion does not want to be beaten again.

So who will be next?

"We've been offered a pay-per-view date and we've had venues wanting to stage his next bout," Barry said.

But no fighters are calling.

Barry said he would wait until Lewis made his decision, then start looking for a fight.

"David has to fight again this year.

"We have to keep the momentum going."

If Lewis rejects Byrd, the southpaw will fight No 2 Holyfield and Tua, No 3, would pursue his right to fight the winner.

New rankings were issued yesterday:

World Boxing Council: champion Lennox Lewis.

Challenger: Vitali Klitschko.

No 3 Evander Holyfield.

Tua No 6.

World Boxing Association: champion John Ruiz.

Challenger: Holyfield.

No 3 Klitschko.

Tua No 8.

International Boxing Federation: champion Lewis.

Challenger: Chris Byrd.

No 3 Holyfield.

Tua No 4.

World Boxing Organisation: champion Klitschko.

Challenger: Jameel Kline.

Tua No 4.

Fight News magazine: champion Lewis.

Challenger: Klitschko.

No 3 Byrd, No 4 Holyfield, No 5 Tua, No 6 Tyson.