The boxer who effectively ended David Tua's heavyweight title quest has reportedly tested positive for a banned stimulant, prompting calls for a rematch.
Monte Barrett tested positive for the banned stimulant methylhex-anemine following a urine test after his August 13 win over the Kiwi boxer.
Despite being knocked to themat in the last round, Barrett rose to claim a unanimous points victory over Tua.
The result has seen Tua drop in the World Boxing Organisation ratings, hindering his hopes of a title challenge.
Tua's lawyer Blair Edwards told 3News the WBO should take action.
"We've asked the WBO to overturn the result of the match. We have also asked for the return of the belts that Barrett has in his possession and we have asked for David's rankings to be reinstated to be where they were before the fight," Mr Edwards said.
Tua told the Truth Weekender Barrett needs to come back to New Zealand for a rematch.
"Monte came to New Zealand telling everyone how hard he had worked to get into the best possible shape for the fight. Now we know he is just a drugs cheat.
"He has fooled everyone and cheated me out of an honest result."
Barrett has hit back, telling Boxing Insider Tua's "whole career has been excuses", and the claim was an attempt to distract from his own shortcomings.
"If I would have failed a [urine] test, they would have never let me leave out of New Zealand with those belts," Barrett said.
"I've never been a cheater," says Barrett. "I bust my butt. I sparred 125 rounds; I ran countless miles; I trained countless hours; I put so much work in," Barrett said. "I busted Tua's butt fair and square: that's the bottom line."
A rematch very well may be on the cards.
"If he want me to, I'll move to New Zealand, train there for the whole time, and he can watch me eat, watch me train, watch the supplements I take, and I'm still gonna bust him down."
