25 Years Ago Today – When David Tua Blasted John Ruiz Into A Frightening State Of Unconsciousness In 19-Seconds

03/15/202103/15/2021 James Slater

A blistering combination of violent hooks, most of them landing flush, this in a veritable eyeblink, the entire fight over in just 19 seconds. This … continue

20 Years Ago: When Lennox Lewis Beat David Tua In A Fight Tua’s Dad Couldn’t Stop Watching

11/11/2020 James Slater

It was 20 years ago today…… it sounds like a line from a great song by the greatest band of them all, The Beatles. But … continue

Recalling The David Tua – Michael Moorer Fight

05/04/2020 James Slater

Moorer says Tua was the hardest puncher he faced Whenever the subject of greatest heavyweights never to have won a world title comes up, David … continue

“The Night Of The Young Heavyweights” Proved Memorable For A Few Reasons: Tua, Golota, Briggs

03/16/202003/15/2020 James Slater

Atlantic City, New Jersey, March 15th 1996. An exciting heavyweight card dubbed “Night Of The Young Heavyweights” took place on this day in 1996, and … continue

How Good Was David Tua?

09/12/201909/11/2019 James Slater

It may not seem it, but David Tua’s final KO win took place almost ten long years ago; this October. That was back when Tua, … continue

Imagine: Deontay Wilder defends against the best of the ’90’s heavyweight contenders – Ruddock, Tua, Golota, Ibeabuchi

03/30/201703/29/2017 James Slater

It’s universally agreed that reigning WBC heavyweight king Deontay Wilder is a most exciting fighter, a very powerful and dangerous fighter, and a very determined fighter (Deontay could easily have quit in pain having suffered the hand and arm injuries he picked up in his win over Chris Arreola last summer).

But what we don’t know is this: how good is Wilder? The unbeaten KO artist could well be the best big man on the scene today, and Wilder, 38-0(37) has made it clear a number of times that he wants the big, big fights to prove his dominance. These defining fights, against the likes of the Anthony Joshua-Wladimir Klitschko winner, Tyson Fury (if the giant can return as planned) and others may come. But imagine for a second if Wilder was busy defending his green belt against the best contenders the 1990s had to offer; the men who came, oh, so close to becoming champion.

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Tua v Ustinov round by round – Ustinov Beats Tua

11/18/201311/17/2013 Eugene Carnachan

tua432323 Hamilton City, Claudelands Showgrounds: Ringside: Chants of Tua! Tua go up! The ring announcer gets an A plus for animation. Never quite seen or heard a ring announcer throw himself around the ring with so much vigour and enthusiasm in introducing fighters. Fair to say he is an excitable type of chap.

Alexander Ustinov ring walk: All you can really say about the man is he is one very big piece of humanity. His ring walk music of the Russian variety is music not often heard in this part of the world. He leaps the top rope of the ring with ease and that impressed the hell out of the crowd. At 6ft 8 and 139 kilograms (according to ring announcer) his immensity makes him a proposition for the sheer fact of his immensity – he carries no excess weight and appears in exceptional condition.

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Ustinov Outpoints David Tua

11/17/201311/16/2013 Rick Whiteside

ustinov2323 Hamilton New Zealand was the scene of a battle of differing proportions—6’8” Belarussian Alexander Ustinov squared off against Kiwi Samoan 5’9” David Tua who also gave up 50 lbs in weight.

Round One: Feeling out round. Ustinov controls the action, with Tua backing up.

Round Two: Round is Ustinov’s but Tua is more aggressive and loosening up his left hook.

Round Three: Ustinov’s round. He continues to keep his left low but Tua won’t throw a right hand. Tua mostly missing with his left hook, but connects with a few.

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Tua and Ustinov weigh-in for heavyweight showdown, a trim Tua ready to give it one last shot

11/15/201311/15/2013 James Slater

The David Tua-Alexander Ustinov heavyweight clash, a big deal in New Zealand but in truth nowhere else, will see a Tua who has gotten himself in his best physical condition for some time. Tipping-in at a trim and solid 236-pounds – to giant Ustinov’s 292 – Tua knows he will have to retire if he loses.

Now in his forties, the Samoan powerhouse is coming off a points loss to Monte Barrett. The real carrot for Tua in this fight is the vague possibility of a shot at Wladimir Klitschko should he get the job done in style. But can Tua, even an in-shape version, get inside on the much taller Ustinov and detonate his bombs? A true David Vs. Goliath showdown, this fight could be lively, or it could go the other way and be a dull affair. If Ustinov uses his height, reach and strength and is content to jab and then tie Tua up, how will the much shorter man be able to cope?

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David Tua vs Alexander Ustinov on Nov 16

11/15/201311/14/2013 Eugene Carnachan

tua-ustinov (8) David Tua ( 52-4-2) and world ranked Alexander Ustinov (28-1) clash on Saturday 16th November at Mystery Creek, Hamilton, New Zealand.

David Tua whose latter career has been punctuated with weight problems had reportedly blown out to 348 pounds before starting to train for this fight.

Originally the pair were meant to meet on August 31st but a grade one calf tear sustained by Tua in training caused promoters to amend the fight to its current date.

The extra training time has served Tua well. Tua’s appearance in August is remarkably different to the physical constitution he is sporting in the lead up to this weekend’s fight.

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