David Tua


Mafaufau Tavita Lio Mafaufau Sanerivi Talimatasi, known as David Tua, is a Samoan-New Zealand former professional boxer who competed from 1992 to 2013. A highly ranked heavyweight contender for most of his career, Tua is considered by some to be one of the greatest heavyweights to have never won a world title. He was ranked by BoxRec in the world's top 10 heavyweights from 1996 to 2003, reaching his highest BoxRec ranking of No.3 in 1998. He was also ranked the No.1 heavyweight contender in 2000 by the WBC and IBF, leading up to his bout with Lennox Lewis.
Known for his formidable punching power, especially in his left hook, Tua scored sixteen wins by knockout in the first round, including knockouts of future and former world heavyweight champions John Ruiz and Michael Moorer within thirty seconds of the first round. He also scored stoppages of future world champions Oleg Maskaev and Hasim Rahman. Tua ended his career with a knockout-to-win rate of 82.6%. In a 2003 article by The Ring magazine, Tua was ranked 48th on a list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.
Nicknamed the "Tuamanator", his fast-paced bob and weave pressure fighting style has often drawn comparisons to Mike Tyson. Tua fought many of the best boxers of his era and challenged once for the unified world heavyweight title against Lennox Lewis in 2000. In his five professional losses, Tua was never subject to a stoppage and hit the canvas just once as a fighter, which occurred in the fourth-to-last fight of his career. He is thus considered to have one of the most durable chins of his time.
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Early life

Tua said that he lived with four brothers, four sisters and ten other relatives while growing up, and his mother held down three jobs while his father worked long hours. He claims that his father forced him to start boxing when he was seven years old, and is grateful for the introduction to the sport.

Amateur career

In his early career, Tua trained three days a week at a small gym in Mangere Bridge, under boxing trainer Gerry Preston. Tua became New Zealand national heavyweight champion in 1988 at age 15.
At the age of 19 Tua won a bronze medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. He lost his semi-final to David Izonritei, whom he would later knock out as a professional. Tua turned professional later the same year.

Highlights

Amateur career breakdown:
at the 1992 Summer Olympics, Barcelona, Spain
Qualified at the 1992 National Olympic Trials, Apia, Samoa
at the 1991 World Championships, Sydney, Australia
at the 1991 New Zealand Championships
1990 Junior World Championships, Lima, Peru
at the 1990 Oceanian Championships, Nukuʻalofa, Tonga
at the 1990 New Zealand Championships
at the 1989 New Zealand Championships
at the 1986 New Zealand Juniors Championships

Professional career

Tua debuted in December 1992. Of his first 27 fights, 23 were won by knockout.
In Tua's 1997 fight against Ike Ibeabuchi, the two fighters combined to set the record for most punches thrown in a heavyweight fight on record. Ibeabuchi won the decision, handing Tua his first professional loss. Prior to this, Tua had scored devastating knockouts against future titlist John Ruiz and Darroll Wilson. Tua also beat David Izon and future champion Oleg Maskaev to set up the fight with Ibeabuchi. After the loss to Ibeabuchi, Tua took on future champ Hasim Rahman and TKO'd Rahman in the 10th round. The victory over Rahman marked the beginning of Tua's struggles with his weight. He ballooned up to 253 pounds when he defeated Obed Sullivan in 2000 by KO. Later that year, he weighed 245 pounds in the loss to Lennox Lewis. Tua was disappointing in the fight, with both fighters avoiding each other and Tua not throwing combinations. Tua lost a clear-cut decision.
The fight with Lewis was for the WBC, IBF, & IBO heavyweight titles and took place in November 2000. Tua lost on points by a wide margin.
Following the Lewis loss, Tua regained steam with a KO over Danell Nicholson but lost by a close decision in his next fight to future champion Chris Byrd. In 2002 he beat prospect Fres Oquendo and demolished Michael Moorer in his next fight with a powerful shot 30 seconds into the first round, which put Moorer out cold. In 2003 he drew in a 12-round rematch with Rahman.

2005 comeback

Tua was inactive for over two years before he stepped into the ring on 31 March 2005 and bested Talmadge Griffis in a 10-round bout—ending the match and earning a TKO victory with 26 seconds remaining. Tua's next contest in October 2005 ended in a split decision over Cisse Salif with Tua dominating in the late rounds.
Tua defeated Edward Gutierrez by knockout in the fourth round of a scheduled 10-rounder on 26 July 2006. The fight was held at the Manhattan Center ballroom in New York City, and featured on ESPN2. Tua started slowly, scored a knockdown with his famous left hook in the second round, and put Gutierrez down for the count in the fourth round with a combination of two left hooks, one to the head and the decisive one to the body.
In November 2006 Tua defeated Maurice Wheeler in the seventh round of a scheduled 10-rounder by knockout. Tua ended the bout with a solid left uppercut to the body which immediately sent the howling Wheeler to the canvas.
Tua continued his comeback in February 2007 with a unanimous decision over Robert Hawkins in a 10-round bout. Tua ended the match being the aggressor and hurt Hawkins in both the ninth and tenth rounds with body punches, but was unable to end the match with a knockout.
Tua, looking in good shape and weighing in at 237½ lbs, was featured as the main event of a Pay Per View show on 18 August 2007 in Sandy, Utah and ended the bout quickly with a first-round knockout of Mexican champion Saul Montana. Tua threw two powerful left hooks to the head that sent Montana sprawling to the canvas giving Tua his sixth win in a row.
Tua, again looking in good shape and weighing in at 234 lbs, fought the unheralded Cerrone Fox at the Soaring Eagle Casino, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan on 7 September 2007. Tua made short work of his over matched opponent ending the bout at 1:41 of the second round.
While Tua's promoter, Cedric Kushner, stated Tua was scheduled to fight an opponent on 18 October 2007, the fight never materialised.

2009 comeback

Tua fought fellow New Zealander Shane Cameron at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on 3 October 2009 with Tua knocking Cameron out seven seconds into the second round to pick up the WBO Asia Pacific and Oriental Heavyweight titles. The promoters for the fight were John McRae and David Higgins of Duco Events. The fight had been scheduled for an earlier date, but was delayed due to Cameron having surgery on a fractured hand.
On 31 March 2010 Tua fought Friday Ahunanya, winning on points after 12 rounds. The fight promoters for this fight were again John McRae and David Higgins of Duco Events.
The Tua-Barrett fight had been tentatively scheduled for 26 June in São Paulo, Brazil. However, the fight was moved to 17 July at the Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City in a bid to promote David Tua's career in the United States. At 38 years old, Monte Barrett was viewed by some as an easy opponent for Tua as he had lost his previous three fights. The match was a controversial draw with Tua being knocked down for the first time in his professional career late in the 12th round.
Tua fought Demetrice King on 19 March 2011. Tua defeated King by unanimous decision with the scores of 100–91, 100–91, and 100–90.
Tua's rematch against Monte Barrett on 13 August 2011 resulted in a unanimous points decision going in favour of Barrett. The judges scored the bout 113–112, 115–112, and 115–112.
In December 2011, it emerged that Monte Barrett tested positive for banned stimulant methylhexanamine following a urine test after his 13 August points decision over Tua. Tua's lawyer, Blair Edwards, called for action against the 40-year-old New Yorker requesting the return of Tua's WBO Asia-Pacific and Oriental titles and the restoration of ranking points.

2013 comeback and retirement

In June 2013 it was confirmed that Tua was once again getting back into the ring. Belarusian Alexander Ustinov defeated him by unanimous points decision, following which he announced his retirement from professional boxing. Ringside Report were mixed in their evaluation of his career, referring to him as "one of the best heavyweights never to win a world title".

Outside the ring

On 10 October 1992 Tua appeared on the New Zealand version of the game show Wheel of Fortune. He had asked for an "O for Olsen" but this was heard by some as "O for awesome". He requested "P" when buying a vowel on the same episode. He was also heard to ask if he could buy a "constonant" during the same show.
From 1992 to 2003, Tua was managed by former boxer Kevin Barry, who also trained him from 2001. In 2003 Tua ended his business relationship with Barry and financial manager Martin Pugh. Though Barry accepted his dismissal as trainer, he resisted Tua's decision to end their contract, which still had two years to go.
In 2004, Tua's accountant learned that the boxer's finances with his boxing company, Tuaman Inc. Ltd., were tangled with company expenses; Tua no longer had most of his 20 million NZD in purses from his professional matches, and important assets Tua thought he owned alone were anything but, including a piece of coastal land at Pākiri. Tuaman Inc. Ltd had business expenses flowing in various directions, involving companies and clients Tua had no knowledge of. Tua's own home was purchased with borrowed money, and the boxer's purses were linked to renovation costs for Martin Pugh's property. These findings were based on documents from Pugh's offices.
In 2005 Tua took Kevin Barry and Martin Pugh to court over their business arrangements. Barry and Pugh accused Tua of manipulating them to collect revenue, yet Tua maintained that he knew little of the men's affairs and did what they told him to do out of trust. The dispute gave both sides legal victories: over the issue of the coastal land property, the court ruled in favour of Barry and Pugh, since Tua failed to properly clarify his ownership over the land; on the issue of the terminated 2003 contract, the court ruled in Tua's favour, concluding he clearly owed no expenses to his former management from that contract. In October 2009, it was reported in The New Zealand Herald that the parties had settled all previously unresolved matters arising from the protracted litigation.
In May 2007, Cedric Kushner, president of Gotham Boxing Inc. and Tua's promoter, filed a $5 million lawsuit against IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko and promoter Shelly Finkel among others – and while the lawsuit is unrelated to Tua, Kushner has stated he will drop the lawsuit if Tua is given a title bout against Klitschko in 2008, which ultimately failed to materialize.
In September 2009, Tua's aunt was killed in the Samoa tsunami. In early October he travelled to Samoa with cousin Va'aiga Tuigamala to see how they could help.
Tua cameo'd in the 2019 movie, Take Home Pay, in which he played as himself. He's portrayed as a look-a-like to Bob Titilo, who was played by New Zealand actor and comedian, Tofiga Fepuleaʻi.
In the 2019 Queen's Birthday Honours, Tua was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to youth, boxing and the community, having previously been appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to boxing, in the 2001 New Year Honours.
In 1996, Tua was honoured by the country of Tuvalu, with a stamp commemorating the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia, United States bearing Tua's likeness and name on it.

In popular culture

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
59LossAlexander UstinovUD1216 Nov 2013Claudelands Arena, Hamilton, New ZealandFor vacant WBA Pan African heavyweight title
58Loss52–4–2Monte BarrettUD1213 Aug 2011TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre, Auckland, New ZealandLost WBO Asia Pacific and WBO Oriental heavyweight titles
57Win52–3–2Demetrice KingUD1019 Mar 2011TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
56Draw51–3–2Monte Barrett1217 Jul 2010Tropicana Casino & Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USRetained WBO Asia Pacific and WBO Oriental heavyweight titles
55Win51–3–1Friday AhunanyaUD1231 Mar 2010The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New ZealandRetained WBO Asia Pacific and WBO Oriental heavyweight titles
54Win50–3–1Shane CameronKO2, 0:203 Oct 2009Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton, New ZealandWon WBO Asia Pacific and WBO Oriental heavyweight titles.
53Win49–3–1Cerrone FoxTKO2, 1:417 Sep 2007Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, US
52Win48–3–1Saúl MontanaKO1, 1:1518 Aug 2007South Towne Expo Center, Sandy, Utah, US
51Win47–3–1Robert HawkinsUD1022 Feb 2007Roseland Ballroom, New York City, New York, US
50Win46–3–1Maurice WheelerKO7, 2:483 Nov 2006Roseland Ballroom, New York City, New York, US
49Win45–3–1Edward GutierrezKO4, 2:5926 Jul 2006Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City, New York, US
48Win44–3–1Cisse Salif1021 Oct 2005Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Florida, US
47Win43–3–1Talmadge GriffisTKO10, 2:3431 Mar 2005The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
46Draw42–3–1Hasim Rahman1229 Mar 2003Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
45Win42–3Russell ChasteenKO2, 1:4130 Nov 2002Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
44Win41–3Michael MoorerKO1, 0:3017 Aug 2002Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
43Win40–3Fres OquendoTKO9, 1:5413 Apr 2002Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort, New Cumberland, West Virginia, USWon NABF heavyweight title
42Win39–3Garing LaneTKO8, 2:3519 Dec 2001Feather Falls Casino, Oroville, California, US
41Loss38–3Chris ByrdUD1218 Aug 2001Cox Pavilion, Paradise, Nevada, USFor USBA heavyweight title
40Win38–2Danell NicholsonKO6, 0:3423 Mar 2001Texas Station, North Las Vegas, Nevada, US
39Loss37–2Lennox LewisUD1211 Nov 2000Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, USFor WBC, IBF, and IBO heavyweight titles
38Win37–1Robert DanielsTKO3, 0:4721 Jul 2000Regent, Las Vegas, Nevada, USRetained IBF Inter-Continental and USBA heavyweight titles
37Win36–1Obed SullivanKO1, 0:513 Jun 2000MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, USRetained IBF Inter-Continental and USBA heavyweight titles
36Win35–1Shane SutcliffeTKO2, 1:2023 Oct 1999MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, US
35Win34–1Gary BellTKO1, 1:1917 Jul 1999Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, USRetained USBA heavyweight title
34Win33–1Hasim RahmanTKO10, 0:3519 Dec 1998Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, USWon IBF Inter-Continental and USBA heavyweight titles
33Win32–1Eric CurryTKO1, 0:4326 Sep 1998Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, US
32Win31–1Nate TubbsKO2, 2:1230 May 1998Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
31Win30–1Cleveland WoodsTKO3 18 Apr 1998Cow Palace, San Francisco, California, US
30Win29–1Jeff Wooden1010 Mar 1998National Guard Armory, Pikesville, Maryland, US
29Win28–1Jeff LallyTKO2, 1:0422 Nov 1997Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
28Loss27–1Ike IbeabuchiUD127 Jun 1997ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, USLost WBC International heavyweight title
27Win27–0Oleg MaskaevTKO11, 1:165 Apr 1997Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USRetained WBC International heavyweight title
26Win26–0David IzonTKO12, 1:5421 Dec 1996Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, USRetained WBC International heavyweight title
25Win25–0Darroll WilsonKO1, 3:1020 Sep 1996James L. Knight International Center, Miami, Florida, USRetained WBC International heavyweight title
24Win24–0Anthony CooksTKO1, 2:2421 Jul 1996Teamsters Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, US
23Win23–0John RuizKO1, 0:1915 Mar 1996Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USWon WBC International heavyweight title
22Win22–0Bruce BellocchiTKO2, 2:3913 Jan 1996Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
21Win21–0Mauricio VillegasTKO6, 2:5126 Aug 1995Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
20Win20–0Sean HartUD815 Jul 1995Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, US
19Win19–0Dan MurphyTKO5, 0:3520 May 1995Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
18Win18–0Bruce BellocchiTKO1, 3:004 Mar 1995Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
17Win17–0Cecil CoffeeKO1, 0:299 Dec 1994ASB Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
16Win16–0Ken LakustaKO4 1 Oct 1994Scope, Norfolk, Virginia, US
15Win15–0Everton DavisUD1013 Aug 1994The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, US
14Win14–0Lester JacksonUD87 May 1994Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
13Win13–0Calvin JonesTKO4 16 Apr 1994Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, US
12Win12–0Bill CorriganKO2, 1:175 Feb 1994The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, US
11Win11–0Mike AceyKO1, 0:5626 Nov 1993ASB Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
10Win10–0Krishna Wainwright66 Nov 1993Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, US
9Win9–0Rick HoneycuttKO2, 2:1225 Sep 1993Mid-Hudson Civic Center, Poughkeepsie, New York, US
8Win8–0Larry DavisKO1, 2:1810 Jul 1993Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, US
7Win7–0Bruce JohnsonTKO2, 0:4422 Jun 1993Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
6Win6–0Willie WashingtonKO1 28 May 1993Houston, Texas, US
5Win5–0Alfredo NevarezTKO1, 2:3523 Mar 1993HemisFair Arena, San Antonio, Texas, US
4Win4–0Howard KellyTKO3 27 Feb 1993Showboat Hotel Casino and Bowling Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
3Win3–0Lazaro Almanza3 6 Feb 1993Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
2Win2–0Lorenzo PooleKO1, 1:0814 Dec 1992Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, US
1Win1–0Ron Humes1, 0:371 Dec 1992Convention Center, Virginia Beach, Virginia, US

Awards and recognitions