Logic in Boxing is an Oxymoron

Logic in Boxing is an Oxymoron

In 1996, David Tua KOed future world champion John Ruiz in 19 seconds with a left hook from hell. In 2002, he dispatched former world champion Michael Moorer in 30 seconds with an explosive straight right. A prime Tua was a heavy load for anyone.

After losing to Chris Byrd in 2001, he went on an undefeated streak of 14 including the aforementioned blow-out of Moorer and a slaughter of countryman Shane Cameron, the Mountain Warrior, in a 2009 fight billed as the “Fight of the Century” in New Zealand. Tua came into the fight in the best shape of his career having lost a significant amount of weight.

In the first round, Tua hurt and decked Cameron twice with a crushing and accurate attack and even hit him while he was on the canvas. He ended matters 20 seconds into round two with 13 consecutive heavy and accurate blows, all to Cameron’s head. This ending was not for the squeamish or faint of heart.

After beating Friday Ahunanya, the “Terminator” was then held to an upset draw by a fading Monte “2Gunz” Barrett (34-9 coming in) in Atlantic City, NJ. It appeared that David’s great run was coming to an end, especially since Barrett came into the fight having lost six of his last nine.

A year later in 2011, Barrett, now 40 years old, beat a sluggish Tua by a clear UD and in New Zealand no less. Tua lost for the first time since being out-classed by Chris Byrd 10 years earlier. Sadly, Tua also told the press that he was broke and homeless and that he was uncertain about his boxing future. He stepped aside from boxing with a myriad of personal issues including depression and a divorce.

Meanwhile, Barrett was scheduled to fight Shane Cameron in July 2012 though he badly wanted a third fight with local hero Tua because he knew it would be a bigger draw. He also resented accusations that he had taken steroids (accusations that never panned out because of procedural irregularities).

Monte was stung by these accusations and lashed out at Tua. “After I beat up on Shane,” he said, “I’m going to give Tua one more chance to whip his fat arse into shape and get his act together…For me, it’s that or nothing. I want David to take my last fight. After his wife finished pounding on him with their divorce I don’t know if he’ll have enough for me. I hope he will.”

“David doesn’t do anyone proud,” continued the vengeful Barrett. “He’s an embarrassment to New Zealand. He’s a lazy, fat slob. He doesn’t apply himself. He can die a loser and never get a chance to redeem himself or be a man. The first fight his shoulder was hurt and the gloves were too big….The second fight he claimed I was taking steroids. What’s his excuse for the third fight? I know New Zealand wants to see it….He will probably make every excuse because he’s a coward. I used to have a lot of respect for David. But he doesn’t appreciate the status he has and realize the whole country is behind him.”

Shane Cameron, meanwhile, seemed to be lost in the shuffle, but he remained Monte Barrett’s stepping stone to a lucrative payday. Barrett, a resident of Bayonne, New Jersey, would be risking the WBO Asia and WBO Oriental heavyweight belts that he won when he defeated David Tua, belts formerly held by Cameron.

Barrett vs. Cameron

Cameron won the first three rounds which were uneventful. Early in the fourth, both threw monster right hands simultaneously. Cameron’s got there first, rendering 2Gunz unconscious and producing a very scary moment for everyone at ringside.

This frightening result afformed that Monte had been shot for some time but further certified that David Tua was even more shot. And yet, Tua was able to crush Cameron who in turn crushed Monte Barrett.

Go figure. There was absolutely no logic in what transpired here.

Many more examples would follow. Ricardo Mayorga, for example, scored two wins over Vernon Forrest who owned two wins over Shane Mosley, but Mosley KOed Mayorga twice. Expecting logic to exist in boxing is something one does at his or her peril.

Ted Sares can be reached at tedsares@roadrunner.com

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