by James Slater – New York warrior Monte “Two Gunz” Barrett once told me, over the phone in an interview for this web site, that he very much wanted to leave the sport of boxing only when he had, as he eloquently put it, “fired all his bullets.” Not long after speaking to me, the then 37-year-old travelled to London, England to give former cruiserweight champ David Haye his first test up at heavyweight. Barrett lost, but he at least had the satisfaction of knowing he gave his best in the exciting five-round battle, and he also decided he had some ammo left for future bouts..
Unfortunately for Monte, he turned up for his next fight, against big Cuban hope Odlanier Solis, with what seemed like a gun filled only with blanks. Downed and finished in the 2nd-round, Barrett looked a spent force. “Two Gunz” acquitted himself better in his next outing, when he took huge Russian contender Alexander Ustinov the full 12-rounds; but once again, Barrett lost. It looked like his plans of going out with a bang and retiring whilst throwing a hail of bullets were to remain unfulfilled.
However, as fans know, Barrett, in what he said beforehand would be his last fight, pulled out the type of last great performance he was looking for this past Saturday when he faced the lethal-hitting David Tua. Expected by many (myself included) to be blown away pretty quickly, Barrett instead rolled back the years and boxed very well against the Samoan slugger – even becoming the very first man to give “The Tuaman” a taste of the canvas in doing so. Barrett may not have gotten an official win in the final fight of his career, but the draw he was given can surely be taken by the New Yorker as a huge moral victory.
I didn’t see the fight (being as I was busy getting married over the weekend!), but I felt the need to write something about Barrett’s fine accomplishment anyway. Thus, having looked up the result at the airport whilst getting ready to fly to the great country of America for my honeymoon, I wrote what you are now reading.
I always have had massive respect for Barrett, and this admiration has now gone up to an even higher level. “Two Gunz,” in a pro career that lasted over 14-years, proved he was unafraid of facing anyone, anywhere, and even though he came up short nine times, Barrett always gave his all (the Solis fight, which he took on very short notice, aside). Proving he was an old-school fighter by heart, Monte rumbled with the best and on his best night he was capable of beating same.
Now Barrett walks way having made a little bit of history. Barrett, 34-9-1(20) his hands held high after having put Tua on the floor for the first time in the rock-chinned New Zealander’s career, knew he had done what he needed to do – go out with a bang, having fired the remainder of his bullets.
Congratulations, Monte, and enjoy your retirement.