David's going to be Tua busy

Another fight has been added to the Tuamanator's Tua of Duty which is expected to culminate in a world title fight within the next six months.

David Tua will fight in Michigan on September 8 and last night his trainer Roger Bloodworth confirmed a date has also been secured for October.

"We're going to keep David real busy," Bloodworth said from Arizona.

"There will be a lot of focus from the critics on the opponents but the important thing right now is to keep David active.

"He needs to get used to that feeling of walking to the ring, taking care of business and preparing for the next fight."

The preoccupation with Tua's opponents from critics in New Zealand is no surprise to Bloodworth who began another training camp with Tua yesterday - six days after his first-round demolition job on Saul Montana in Utah.

"The critics have to find something to complain about, right?" said Bloodworth whose calling card includes four-time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield and Pernell "Sweat Pea" Whitaker, the former welterweight and light middleweight champ.

"Last week they said he didn't have any power. But David answered those complaints. He proved against Saul that he has power in both hands," said Bloodworth.

"So, now they have to find something else.

"If people want to write off Montana as a credible opponent then that's OK but they're showing their lack of boxing knowledge.

"He's the champion of Mexico. He's won more than 50 fights. He's a durable guy. He knows what he's doing and David took care of him. Those guys that are complaining about Montana, ask them to show you a tape of Montana getting beat so convincingly.

"No one has ever taken care of him the way David did. That's a fact."

As predicted by last week Tua showcased a new skill set in Utah proving he is no longer a one-dimensional left hook specialist.

Within the two minutes he had to work with in Utah he jabbed, blocked punches with his arms and punched in combos.

"I was very pleased," said Bloodworth. "I didn't want David to go out blazing. I was wanted him to get Saul used to being touched. I wanted him to work him for a little bit.

"Before long there was an opportunity for one of those combos we've been working on (right hand to the body followed by two left hooks) and he took it and knocked the guy out. I'd be listening to those critics if he took it and didn't knock him out."

Bloodworth was surprised to hear fellow Kiwi heavyweight Shane Cameron going on national television and (a) calling out Tua and (b) suggesting Tua fights taller fighters.

"The era of the tall heavyweight champion is coming to a close," he said.

"Apart from Wladimir Klitschko (2.01m) none of the champions we have in our sights are particularly big guys. The winner of the WBC heavyweight title fight between Samuel Peter (1.84m) and Oleg Maskaev (1.92m) are good-sized opponents for David (1.78m).

"And Sultan Ibragimov (1.89m) and Evander Holyfield (1.89) - who fight for the WBO title in October aren't giants.

"If David had a shot at any of those guys tomorrow I'd feel good about his chances."

- © Fairfax NZ News