By James Slater – Back in July, Monte “Two Gunz” Barret entered the ring to face Samoan slugger David “The Terminator” Tua, and most experts felt a quick KO win was on the cards for the 37-year-old from New Zealand. However, as fans know, 39-year-old Barrett turned in his best showing in years, taking Tua the full 12-rounds and appearing to win the fight – with the New Yorker even managing to become the first man to put the rock-chinned Tua on the canvas (in the 12th and final round).
Barrett said before the fight, that win or lose it would be his last bout. Tua went into rehab after the fight due to a serious shoulder injury (an injury that may or may not have affected his performance in the July 17th fight). Now it looks like the two men will be engaging in a rematch some time next year, in New Zealand..
This is the word according to The New Zealand Herald web site, who have a report saying Tua, after engaging in a tune-up bout that will end his contract with Maori T.V, will then face Barrett next year. It seems, then, that Barrett has had the tough time retiring that all fighters seem to have. And with the likelihood of good money to be earned in a New Zealand return with Tua, who can blame Barrett for continuing?
And, let’s face it, “Two Gunz” looked darn good in July. Can the former two-time world title challenger fight that well again or even better – or was the showing he gave in Atlantic City, N.J Barrett’s last hurrah?
Tua, 51-3-2(43), reportedly turned down a fight with Chauncy Welliver recently, a fight where a win would have taken him closer to a shot at Wladimir Klistchko. Maybe the reason was because Tua feels he has unfinished business with Barrett, and that he wants to wipe that slate clean by way of a comprehensive win. Barrett, 34-9-1(20) was thought to never get close to another title shot, but a win over Tua could maybe do it for him. Whenever the return takes place, there will be a lot of fan attention, seeing as how significant the fight could turn out to be and seeing as how good the first fight was.
It will be interesting to see who Tua faces in his end of the year tune-up (don’t expect anyone too tough), and it will be interesting to see if Barrett opts to take a tune-up also.
Though both guys are pushing 40, Barrett especially, both exciting heavyweights figure to give us one or two more good fights yet.