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David Tua knocks Shane Cameron down during the first round in the 'Fight of the Century' - Source: Photosport -
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Slimmed down heavyweight David Tua made a devastating comeback to the boxing ring after a two-year absence, knocking out Gisborne's Shane Cameron in the second round at Mystery Creek, Hamilton, on Saturday night.
Tua, 37, who lost 26kg coming into the fight at a toned 107.8kg, showed brutal power to finish off Cameron sevens seconds into the second round after twice flooring him near the end of the first round.
The taller Cameron used his longer reach to land some left jabs early on, but Tua was soon landing some of his famed left hooks on Cameron, who offered little in the way of a guard to what has always been Tua's main weapon.
When Tua launched his first real offensive of rapid-fire blows with both hands, Cameron went down against the ropes. Referee Bruce McTavish allowed him to continue after an eight-count, but as soon as Cameron was back on his feet Tua rained more punches to his red and swollen eyes.
Tua landed two blows while Cameron was reeling on his knees against the ropes. But McTavish overlooked those illegal punches and let the fight go on just long enough for Cameron to have some brief respite in his corner at the end of the round.
Tua pummelled Tua with 13 consecutive punches to Cameron's head at the start of the second round. Cameron was down again and what the promoters dubbed "New Zealand's Fight of the Century" was all over.
"I know I've lost a lot of weight and I think a lot of people have said I lost my speed. Now I believe I have just started my career, if anything," Tua said afterwards.
"So it was important for me to win this fight and win it well."
In recent years, Tua's career has been interrupted by a legal dispute with former manager Kevin Barry.
His last bout was back in September 2007, a second-round TKO of American Cerrone Fox, and anything but a convincing win tonight could have spelt an end to his boxing career.
The win takes his career record to 50 wins (43 by knockout), three losses (all on points) and a draw.
Tua walks away from Mystery Creek with a $500,000 cheque, and a possible crack at a world title next year.
Cameron was rated No 7 by the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) before the fight and lost his WBO Asia-Pacific and Oriental championship belts tonight.
The WBO's Asia-Pacific, Oriental and Africa zone chairman, Leon
Panoncillo, had said Cameron's ranking and Tua's record made it
feasible for the victor to go up against a world champion
despite the fight not being an official world
championship eliminator.
What did you think about the fight and result? Comment on
the message board below
Add a Comment:
Post new commentwestside said on 2009-12-08 @ 22:12 NZDT: Report abusive post
What a fight,Tua should be arrested for asulting Cameron like that in front of the whole country.Oh well he got what he deserve for running his mouth.
taramatautia said on 2009-10-05 @ 06:46 NZDT: Report abusive post
That was pretty sad when he went down the first time, it was even worse when he went down in the 2nd round! Big ups to you shane cameron you had guts to fight david tua, hez only 37 you aint that far behind...but wish you all the best for your future in boxing as for tua well what can i say YOU'RE THE MAN!!!
the urinator said on 2009-10-04 @ 19:13 NZDT: Report abusive post
Come on its all part and parcel of the boxing world, Tua supporters can learn alot about humilty from their favorite boxer. Shane big ups bro see you back in the ring soon, and Tuaman your back brotha so bring on the world title! Mauri ora!!
Scotx2 said on 2009-10-04 @ 18:07 NZDT: Report abusive post
What an awesome fight! im really pleased David won, i would just like to say how disapointed i am in the referee! What was he thinking? Shane was clearly KNOCKED OUT in the first round and the referee set him up to be killed! Now i know boxing is a physical sport but where do you draw the line? It was clear that after the first round Shane was in no shape to fight and even when David was hitting him the referee just stood there! Just like Wanye Barnes i hope we NEVER see him again!
nakigirl said on 2009-10-04 @ 17:13 NZDT: Report abusive post
I'm guttd Shane lost the fight. But huge ups to Tua, that man has alot of power behind him. Age in this case was an advantage. This fight has done alot for NZ boxing & they both put their all in, Shane may need to rethink about underestimating his apponents. I hope there is a rematch & next time we might have a different result but Shane has alot of work to do. Nice work to both of you xoxo