Boxing: Fight too tough to call says veteran

It is too close to call. That is the verdict from the man whose job it will be to do precisely that tonight. A career spanning 876 world title fights has taught veteran broadcaster "Colonel" Bob Sheridan the folly of pre-fight predictions, despite how one-sided a contest may appear on paper.

"I live in Las Vegas and if I could predict the winners of fights I'd be a wealthy man," Sheridan said.

"I sat in a press conference in Tokyo, when a guy by the name of Buster Douglas was to fight Mike Tyson. Douglas had zero chance - 46-1 odds against him. What happened? He became the heavyweight champion of the world."

An avowed Tua admirer throughout the South Auckland-raised Samoan's up-and-down career, Sheridan said Tua's dramatic weight loss was a wildcard factor.

"I can see an upset here," Sheridan said. "I don't know what the new David Tua is. I knew what the old David Tua was. I also saw David's last two or three fights and he wasn't beating quality guys.

"Cameron is the champion in this fight. He holds the belts. He's the young, strong bull and right in the prime of his career. David is the old guy and has been gone for two years. Can he do it? That's what this fight is about. It takes dedication to be a fighter and I see that he has lost the weight. He turned his life around and maybe the hardship [has helped]."

One thing Sheridan is certain of is that heavyweight boxing, particularly in America, is ready to embrace the winner. Tua has a proven track record of producing entertaining contests, while Cameron's rugged style would also appeal to US audiences.

"What happens on Saturday night will have a world-wide effect on a lacklustre and dull heavyweight division," Sheridan said.

"The ramifications for both fighters is a lot of money. Professional boxing comes down to money. Whoever wins it, their career will fly after this fight."

So, who is that going to be?

"The head would go with the bookmakers, so that would be David Tua by knockout. But every time I make a prediction like that ... you look like an idiot."