Joseph Parker and Junior Fa. Photo / Photosport.co.nz
Joseph Parker and Junior Fa. Photo / Photosport.co.nz
OPINION:
"Respectfully," David Tua told Shane Cameron in a live television interview before their fight more than a decade ago, "I believe this will be [your] last fight. I'm really gonna hurt you, and I just appreciate you for allowing me that opportunity, I really do."
Some boxing events justsell themselves, and the so-called "Fight of the Century" at Mystery Creek in 2009 had that special ingredient which cannot be faked or contrived; real animosity between the fighters. And sell it did – to record pay per view levels yet to be overtaken in New Zealand.
There was nothing staged about that interview, a veritable piece of gold in terms of content for presenter Mark Sainsbury, TVNZ, and David Higgins, the fight promoter.
The hatred between the two boxers was dripping through the screen. The experienced Sainsbury, aware the looks Tua and Cameron were giving each other had the power to strip paint from the studio walls, appeared genuinely relieved when it was all over. It was the perfect set-up to an event which captured and divided a nation; the proverbial crane hoisting the wrecking ball.
David Tua consoles Shane Cameron, Woodstock Fight of the Century, Mystery Creek, Hamilton. New Zealand. October 3 2009. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/PHOTOSPORT
Days later, Tua delivered on his promise by knocking Cameron out in the second round in a performance heavy on accuracy and brutality. To watch it again now is to be genuinely fearful for Cameron's health despite the intervening years. Funnily enough, the two men are now friends and have a respect for each other that wasn't present before their fight.
Joseph Parker and Junior Fa, two Kiwi heavyweights in a domestic scrap put on again by Higgins, the promoter who famously risked it all in his first boxing event and only started to break even a few hours before the Tua v Cameron fight started, do not have that same feeling towards each other; in public, anyway.
There is no conflict there ahead of their bout at Auckland's Spark Arena on Saturday, despite them both hailing from South Auckland and sharing a 2-2 record as amateurs. Early on in his professional career, Parker decided trash talking wasn't for him and Fa is also a gentle giant out of the ring. They smiled and shook hands after their recent pre-fight press conference like two businessmen agreeing a deal (which they are to a large extent). Parker will earn a decent wedge and it will be Fa's biggest payday.
Joseph Parker and Junior Fa shake hands. Photo / Photosport.co.nz
The sporting landscape has changed hugely in New Zealand since 2009, and even 2012 when Parker turned professional and began his rise up the heavyweight rankings which led to a world title victory in 2016. The rise of MMA and in particular Israel Adesanya, the outspoken and charismatic UFC world middleweight champion, has challenged boxing's fight game supremacy here.
Only one thing could bring the spectre of the Tua v Cameron fight back to life – a Fa victory.
It's not what the bookmakers are predicting, but an upset victory will mean the pair will have to fight again due to a rematch clause (which doesn't apply if Parker wins).
Before the Anthony Joshua v Andy Ruiz Jr fight at Madison Square Garden in New York in 2019, Higgins, in the city with Parker and trainer Kevin Barry, asked the pair their predictions. "Joshua", said Parker, who had beaten Ruiz Jr and lost to the Englishman. "Joshua", said Barry. "Ruiz Jr", replied Higgins, to the surprise of Parker and Barry.
"He's hungry, he has a chip on his shoulder from losing a fight to Parker he thought he had won, and he has nothing to lose," was the summary of Higgins' reply. As it turned out, Higgins was right.
Sounds an awful lot like Fa's situation now. A loss would be devastating for Parker's career, but it would set up another fight between the pair which would truly capture the nation's attention no matter the number of handshakes before it.
