Boxing: Barry says Tua will struggle to come back fighting fit

1.00pm

Heavyweight boxer David Tua will struggle physically and mentally to be ready to fight this year says former manager Kevin Barry.

Despite his acrimonious split with Tua and subsequent on-going court battle this year, Barry was heartened to hear his former charge wanted to step back in the ring.

However, watching Tua's announcement of a return on television yesterday, Barry questioned the 31-year-old's ability to return quickly to the top level.

"Looking at the shape of him yesterday and looking at the body language and the way he was reading his speech off a piece of paper, those sort of things really sadden me," Barry told Radio Sport.

"It looks like his confidence is down.

"I'm delighted David is talking about fighting once again. It's just a shame he didn't come to that conclusion a while back instead of passing up the opportunity to fight for three world titles."

Tua last fought in March 2003 when he drew with Hasim Rahman in a 12-round IBF elimination bout.

Promoter Cedric Kushner yesterday said Tua's return was planned for August but Barry doubted the fighter's proclamation that he needed to lose 10kg. He suspected it would need to be considerably more.

"To see him yesterday on TV, at the size he is, it is a big ask," he said.

"For his health, he needs to start getting some of that weight off.

"Nature tells us that your metabolism slows down. It's always been a big job for David to get the weight off. It's been our biggest job in training camps.

"Every year that goes by it's a bigger task and it's harder.

"I don't think we'll see him in the ring in August. I think there's some serious work to be done. He has to align himself with a trainer who can do the job."

Barry was heartened to hear Tua may look to link with respected former trainer Lou Duva.

Kushner's credentials have been questioned, with reports today revealing he is facing fraud charges brought by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

However, Barry leapt to the defence of the New York-based promoter, who promoted Tua's last four fights and was the most honourable man in a profession that carries much notoriety in the United States.

Barry said the world heavyweight scene was still relatively weak and winning a world title was still within the Samoan-born fighter's grasp.

"It will be very sad to see him, after being a professional for 12 years, not actually pick up one of these world titles before retiring," he said.

"But he needs to do more than just talk about fighting, he needs to make that commitment."

- NZPA