Can David Tua Defeat the Klitschko Brothers?
Hard Hitting Tua has the Division’s Best Left-Hook
Oct 25, 2009
Tua (50-3-1) arguably possesses the best chance of the current crop against either of the two champions. He owns the division’s best left hook, a truly crippling weapon that has accounted for knockout wins over Ruiz, Hasim Rahman, David Izon and Michael Moorer. His cast iron chin has been tempered in the furnace of elite level competition and emerged unscathed, despite taking the best punches of Lennox Lewis and Ike Ibeabuchi. Unlike many fighters he carries his power into the later rounds. Add to this a burning desire, at 36 years of age, to finally set the seal on an exciting, yet championship free professional career and you have a man who just might be capable of providing the sport with a surprise in 2010.
Tua: Will Size Matter?
Some critics point out that at 5’10’’ and the owner of a 70’’ reach Tua would be at a marked physical disadvantage against the two giant champions. This point is leant further weight when one considers Tua’s abortive attempt to annexe 6’5’’ Lennox Lewis’ crown in 2000. However the Kiwi’s desultory showing that night had a mitigating factor in a troublesome rib injury that reduced his punch output, confidence and overall effectiveness.
Despite being handily outboxed over 12 rounds Lewis was never able to relax and he was certainly unable to hurt the tank like Tua at any point in the fight, despite possessing what many consider to be the most concussive right hand in recent heavyweight history. Whatever else one might say about the Samoan native there is no doubt that he will be in the face of either of the Klitschko’s for the full 12 rounds. Tua is remarkably resilient, having never taken an official count. His ruggedness is augmented by his style and approach; with chin tucked in head down he is more difficult to tag cleanly than he might appear.
Tua Looks Devastating in Comeback Fight
Tua has been inactive recently, featuring in only five fights over the last four years. However, as Vitali (at 37 no youngster himself) has shown this is not an insurmountable barrier to overcome. Tua’s comeback win, against local rival Shane Cameron highlighted all of his positives for an audience that had been in danger of forgetting what he brings to the ring. Tua has been accused of entering the ring in less than top shape in the past, not this time though. At a relatively svelte 237 pounds Tua was poised, methodical and purposeful. Picking his punches carefully he displayed the patience that would be essential against either brother, especially Vitali.
Yet when he hurt his man the old ferocity was plain for all to see. Looking incredibly sharp Tua’s left hand accounted for three knockdowns and reduced a barely conscious Cameron to broken rubble inside two rounds. Tua has a shark’s feel for a victim and looked positively devastating as he let his big punches go. Certainly it is not inconceivable that Wladimir, fearful of prolonged exchanges and hesitant under pressure as he is, might wilt under the sort of pressure a fully fit and focussed Tua would bring to the ring.
Rubber Match With Rahman
The Cameron victory has led to a projected rubber match against former champion Rahman, against whom Tua has previously won and drawn. Should he emerge victorious Tua would find himself one of a select band of the current contenders not to have already tasted defeat at the hands of the Klitschko’s. Further inactivity and a worrying lack of managerial clout on the part of his handlers (David has been plagued by managerial problems almost unparalleled in recent years) might yet serve to derail the Tua express. Yet one can hope that this recent eye-catching victory is more than just another false dawn.
Tua will have to work hard to move up the ratings, although he may have problems finding quality opponents willing to risk everything in order to accommodate him. With the Klitschko’s intent on cleaning up the division many of the best contenders (Ibragimov, Arreola, Chagaev) have already been defeated. It is hard to see the likes of Chambers, Boytsev or Povetkin risking everything to take on such a dangerous puncher.
A Competitive Challenge is needed
The Klitschko brothers dominate the Heavyweight division at present. They are close to cleaning out the division of viable contenders. What both current titleholders desperately need are opponents to force them out of their comfort zone and provide them with a competitive challenge. Simply put what would you rather watch: a potentially thrilling shootout between either of the brothers and a resurgent Tua or a plodding series of mismatches featuring the likes of John Ruiz, James Toney or Eddie Chambers?
