Boxing: Ahunanya feeling great ahead of tangle with Tua

Friday Ahunanya and David Tua will face off in Auckland. Photo / Getty Images

Heavyweight boxer Friday Ahunanya rates himself as being in his best shape for a long time and says the lengthy spell since his last bout won't be an issue when he faces New Zealander David Tua in Auckland next week.

Ahunanya sparred in front of the media yesterday, a session that lasted just three of the planned six rounds when, despite barely getting out of second gear, he bloodied the nose of his sparring partner.

"I'm feeling great," he said.

"I'm in the best shape I've been for a long time. I'm ready to go."

Ahunanya, 38, and Tua, 37, will step into the ring next Wednesday night, and the United States-based Nigerian has fond memories of Auckland.

The one other time he has fought in the city, in November 2007, he ended the unbeaten record of another New Zealander, Shane Cameron.

However, he has had only one other bout since then, in June 2008, when he beat American Alonzo Butler via a unanimous decision.

Ahunanya, who has fought 32 times for 24 wins, five losses and three draws, played down his recent inactivity.

"I won't be holding that as an excuse," he said.

- NZPA