Medal record
Competitor for  New Zealand
Men’s Boxing
Olympic Games
Bronze	1992 Barcelona	Heavyweight
World Amateur Championships
Bronze	1991 Sydney	Heavyweight

David Tua, (born Mafaufau Tavita Lio Mafaufau Sanerivi Talimatasi on November 21, 1972 on the Island of Upolu, Samoa), is a heavyweight boxer and former title challenger currently rising again in the heavyweight rankings. For the mixed martial arts division of the same name, see Heavyweight (MMA). ... is the 325th day of the year (326th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Independent State of Samoa (conventional long form) or Samoa (conventional short form) is a country comprising a group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_New_Zealand. ... For other senses of these words, see boxing (disambiguation) or boxer (disambiguation). ... Boxing has been contested at every Summer Olympic Games since its introduction to the programme at the 1904 Summer Olympics except 1912. ... The 92 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were held in 1992 in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. ... Boxing at the 1992 Summer Olympics took place in the old Pavelló Club Joventut de Badalona in Barcelona. ... The World Amateur Boxing Championships is the highest competition for boxing amateurs, organised by worlds governing body AIBA, which stands for the Association International de Boxe Amateur. ... The Mens 1991 World Amateur Boxing Championships were held in Sydney, Australia from November 15 to 23. ... is the 325th day of the year (326th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Samoa In Polynesian mythology (specifically Samoan), Upolu is the first woman on the island of the same name. ... For the mixed martial arts division of the same name, see Heavyweight (MMA). ...

Early life

David Tua's family moved to Mangere in Auckland, New Zealand when he was ten years old. Mangere is one of the larger suburbs of Manukau City, one of the four cities that make up the conurbation of Auckland, New Zealand, in northern New Zealand. ... For other uses, see Auckland (disambiguation). ...

Amateur career

As an amateur, Tua showed considerable promise, and eventually represented New Zealand when winning the bronze medal in the heavyweight contest at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. A bronze medal is a medal awarded to the third place finisher of contests (typically athletics competitions) such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, etc. ... The 92 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were held in 1992 in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. ... Location Coordinates : Time Zone : CET (GMT +1) - summer: CEST (GMT +2) General information Native name Barcelona (Catalan) Spanish name Barcelona Nickname Ciutat Comtal (City of Counts) Postal code 08001–08080 Area code 34 (Spain) + 93 (Barcelona) Website http://www. ...

Amateur Highlights

• 1990 won the Oceanian Championships in Nuku'alofa, Tonga.
• 1991 3rd place at the World Championships in Sydney, Australia.
  • Defeated Mikael Lindblad (Sweden) PTS (24-17)
  • Lost to Felix Savon RSCH-1
• 1992 won the Oceanian Championships/Olympics Trials in Apia, Western Samoa.
• 1992 won the Heavyweight bronze medal representing New Zealand at the Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. Results were:
  • Defeated José Ortega (Spain) RSCH-2
  • Defeated Vojtěch Rückschloss (Czech Republic) RSC-3
  • Lost to David Izonritei (Nigeria) PTS (7-12)

Félix Savón Fabre (September 22, 1967) is a Cuban boxer, a winner of three gold medals at the Olympics. ... Olympic Games Summer Olympic Games Medal count Winter Olympic Games Medal count Olympic sports Medal counts Participating NOCs Olympic symbols Olympics WikiProject Olympics Portal Athens 2004 • Beijing 2008 Torino 2006 • Vancouver 2010 ... José Ortega Chumilla (born October 2, 1963 in Yecla, Murcia) is a former boxer from Spain, who represented his native country at two consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1988. ... David Izonritei (born April 29, 1963) was a Nigerian boxer. ...

Pro career

Tua made his professional debut in December of 1992 and soon became internationally respected for having one of the most devastating left hooks in world boxing and for his abilities to end fights early and to take severe punishment. Indeed, in 2003 Tua was named the 48th greatest puncher of all time by Ring Magazine and David won his first 27 fights, 23 by knockout.[1] Tua fought for the WBC, IBF, and IBO world heavyweight championship titles in November 2000 - and went the distance in a 12 round bout - but lost on points by a wide margin to defending champion Lennox Lewis. In 2003, Ring magazine published a list of 100 greatest punchers of all time in boxing, as voted by the magazines writers. ... Front cover of the first issue of Ring Magazine Ring Magazine is a boxing magazine that was first published in 1922. ... WBC logo mark The World Boxing Council was initially created by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela, and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo López... International Boxing Federation (IBF) is one of several boxing organisations. ... Lennox Claudius Lewis CBE (born September 2, 1965 in West Ham, London, England) is a retired professional boxer who represented Canada in the Olympics and fought under the British flag as a professional. ...

Tua is known for his devastating knockouts and his wars. His 1997 fight with infamous Ike Ibeabuchi was a barnburner on HBO, in which the fighters combined to set the record for most punches thrown in a heavyweight fight on record. Ibeabuchi won the decision, handing Tua his first pro defeat. Prior to the loss, Tua had devastating KO wins against future titlist John Ruiz (via 1st round KO, in an astounding 19 seconds) 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 stunningly TKO'd Rahman in the 10th round, a fight which Rahman had dominated up to that point. Rahman was stunned late in the 9th round from a late punch, and never seemingly recovered. The victory over Rahman marked the beginning of Tua's stuggles 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 badly battered in the fight, and lost a clear cut decision. A boxer is knocked down and receives the 10-count. ... Ikemefula Ibeabuchi was born on February 2, 1973 in Isuochi, Nigeria, and is a former heavyweight boxing contender. ... A boxer is knocked down and receives the 10-count. ... John “The Quiet Man Ruiz (born January 4, 1972 in Methuen, MA), currently residing in Chelsea, MA is a professional American boxer and former WBA World Heavyweight champion. ... The current version of the article or section reads like an advertisement. ... David Izonritei (born April 29, 1963) was a Nigerian boxer. ... Oleg Alexandrovich Maskaev (Russian: ; born March 2, 1969 in Zhambyl, Kazakhstan) is a Russian professional boxer and is the current World Boxing Council lineal heavyweight champion of the world. ... Hasim The Rock Shariff Rahman (born November 7, 1972), is an American boxer who became the linear and legit Heavyweight champion of the world by knocking out Lennox Lewis in 2001. ... Obed Benjamin Sullivan, born January 17, 1968 in Gulfport, MS, was a heavyweight boxer. ... Lennox Claudius Lewis CBE (born September 2, 1965 in West Ham, London, England) is a retired professional boxer who represented Canada in the Olympics and fought under the British flag as a professional. ...

Following the Lewis loss, Tua regained steam with a KO over Danell Nicholson, but lost 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, via 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 - and following the fight his career drifted into obscurity due to promotional disputes. Danell Nicholson (11-15-1967) Chicago, IL. He competed in the 1992 Olympics but came home without a medal. ... Chris Cornelius Byrd (born August 15, 1970) in Flint, Michigan where he attended Flint Northwestern High School is a 6 ft. ... Fres Oquendo born April 1, 1973 in Puerto Rico, is a professional heavyweight boxer. ... Michael Lee Moorer (born November 12, 1967) is a former boxer who has been a world champion in the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions. ...

Comeback

Tua was inactive for over two years before he stepped into the ring March 31, 2005 and bested Talmadge Griffis in a 10 round bout - ending the match and earning a TKO victory with 26 seconds remaining.[2] Tua's next contest in October, 2005 ended in a split decision over Cisse Salif with Tua dominating in the late rounds.[3]

Tua defeated Edward Gutierrez by knockout in the fourth round of a scheduled 10-rounder on July 26, 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.[4] is the 207th day of the year (208th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

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.[5]

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.[6]

Tua, looking in good shape and weighing in at 237 1/2 lbs (his lightest fight weight since 2001), was featured as the main event of a Pay Per View show[7] August 18, 2007 in Sandy, UT 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.[8] Sandy is a city located in Salt Lake County, Utah. ... Saul Montana, born November 23, 1970 in Acapulco, GU, Mexico, is a heavyweight boxer. ...

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 September 7, 2007. Tua made short work of his over matched opponent ending the bout at 1:41 of the second round. Main Entrance The Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort is a casino, hotel and entertainment venue associated with the Isabella Indian Reservation located just outside of Mt. ... Mount Pleasant is a city located in Isabella County, Michigan. ...

While Tua's promoter, Cedric Kushner, stated David was scheduled to fight a opponent on October 18, 2007[9], the fight never materialized.

Outside the Ring

From 1992 to 2003, Tua was managed by former boxer Kevin Barry, who also trained him from 2001. But 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 $NZ 20 million in purses from his professional matches, and important assets Tua thought he owned alone were anything but, including a piece of coastal land at Pakiri. 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. Court action was inevitable. Kevin Michael Joseph Barry (born 10 October 1959 in Christchurch) is a noted New Zealand former boxer, boxing trainer, manager and occasional commentator. ... Pakiri is the name of a suburb located in the New Zealand town of Leigh, a part of the Rodney District on Aucklands North Shore. ...

In 2005 Tua took Kevin Barry and Martin Pugh to court over their business arrangements. Barry and Pugh have 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 has so far given both sides legal victories: over the issue of the coastal land property, the court ruled in favor 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. The courts are currently preparing to handle the other issues of the boxer's company's finances.

In October and December 2006, Tua was challenged by fellow boxer and countryman Shane Cameron. With Cameron's 17 straight victories and a ranking from the International Boxing Federation, there has been media attention given to Cameron. However, Tua's camp has resisted the challenge, asking Cameron to first build up his profile in the United States to attract promoters before fighting Tua. Tua himself has stated that such a match would mostly benefit Cameron. In March 2007 Cameron, now with 19 wins, again challenged Tua.[10] Shane Cameron WHAT YOU DONT KNOW HIM He Is Teh Leet Born In Townsville In 1990 LOL@YOU FOR NOT KNOWING HIM BUT I DO KNOW HIM!!1! ... IBF redirects here. ...

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.[11] Wladimir Dr. Steelhammer Klitschko (Ukrainian: , Volodymyr Volodymyrovych Klychko); born March 25, 1976 in Solnechnoe, Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan) is a Ukrainian heavyweight boxer, former WBO and the current IBF and IBO World Heavyweight Champion. ...

Memberships

Tua is a unionized boxer, a member of the Joint Association of Boxers. The Joint Association of Boxers is an attempt to unionize professional boxers, who are often called the most exploited athletes. ...

Trivia

Although Tua was never knocked down in any of his fights, he was dropped in the final seconds of his bout with Rahman, an unofficial knock-down. Many Fans dispute this and say it was a balance shot with Tua swinging wildly after hearing the bell signalling ten seconds to go. It was not a knockdown.

Tua has won 29 of his fights without going to the fourth round; two of his fights lasted less than 30 seconds (he KO'd Michael Moorer in 30 seconds, and floored John Ruiz in 19), a record tied by only one other boxer, Jeremy Williams. At least two more of Tua's bouts have lasted under a minute, although full records of his early fights are incomplete, so he may have more short bouts. Ko may refer to: Ken OHara AKA KO MC, a moderately unsuccesful gangsta rapper from Boston, MA. He may be contacted via http://www. ... Michael Lee Moorer (born November 12, 1967) is a former boxer who has been a world champion in the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions. ... John “The Quiet Man Ruiz (born January 4, 1972 in Methuen, MA), currently residing in Chelsea, MA is a professional American boxer and former WBA World Heavyweight champion. ... Jeremy Williams (born August 19, 1972, Fort Dodge, Iowa) is a professional boxer and mixed martial artist. ...

Tua ranks 2nd in most opponents knocked down in the first round, while Mike Tyson ranks first. Michael Gerard Tyson (born June 30, 1966) is a former American world heavyweight boxing champion and is the youngest man to have won a world heavyweight title. ...

Tua was mentioned in an episode of the FOX program Family Guy. Stewie Griffin was trying to get in trouble, so he drew a picture of Tua on the wall. This article is about the animal. ... Family Guy is an Emmy Award-winning American animated television series about a dysfunctional family in the fictional town of Quahog, Rhode Island. ... Stewart Gilligan Stewie Griffin is a fictional character in the animated television series Family Guy. ...

External links

• Professional boxing record for David Tua from Boxrec
• David Tua MySpace page

Boxrec. ...

Video links

• David Tua highlight video with Tua Rap soundtrack
• David Tua highlight video
• Pinnacle FiteNite August 2007 Pay Per View Promotional Video
• David Tua KOs Saul Montana