Boxing: May Tuaman answer all their prayers

By ALAN PERROTT and FRANCESCA MOLD

David Tua's thunderous left hook will have divine guidance if Auckland's devout Samoan community has anything to do with it.

The roar of warrior spirit, song and the power of prayer poured from the hearts of more than 300 people in Otara last night.

A colourful ceremony marked the start of a week-long religious vigil, which his community hopes will inspire Tua to victory against world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis a week tomorrow.

Tua will carry the hopes of the tiny South Pacific nation when he climbs in to the ring and the community is prepared to do its bit to support him the best way it knows how - through prayer.

"This is a truly historic event for us," said Tanupo Aukuso, editor of the Samoa Post and chairman of Sigano, the David Tua fan club.

"Win or lose, it doesn't matter to us, this is the first time someone from the Pacific Islands has ever got this far. We feel so very proud of him, but at the same time very humble."

Sigano is named after the pendant fruit necklace Tua wears into the ring for each of his fights.

His supporters have promised to pray and wear the necklaces each day until the fight.

Mr Aukuso said Tua had asked for their support before he left to train for the fight at a US ranch.

"He's doing all the hard work preparing over there. All we can do is pray for him."

The religious ceremony began with a solemn procession of tattooed warriors carrying the Bible on a fata (a wooden stretcher).

They were followed moments later by a young girl carrying a sacred knife known as nifo'oti, used only at special religious ceremonies. Then came a Samoan war dance created especially for the fight.

The idea of the prayer week grew out of an e-mail from Tua asking for his friends and family to remember him in their prayers.

Similar prayer events are planned in Samoa and Tua's hometown of Faleatiu.

Next Sunday's encounter will be shown on a big screen on the Otara Shopping Centre at Rosa Pasifika.

And Mr Aukuso is predicting a quick knockout and a long party.

"He will win, for sure, but if he can get in one left hook in the first round that will be the end of it."

Last night's event also served as a sendoff for Tua's mother, Noela, who is heading to Las Vegas.

The Tua family's Mangere home has been busy with its own buildup, hosting a steady stream of wellwishers. It is an easy home to spot - it's the only one covered in fairy lights.

But while Noela Tua wants to be close to her son on the most important day of his life, she may steer clear of the fight - she hates the thought of seeing her boy get hurt.

Herald Online feature: Tua v Lewis