Boxing: New fight for Tua being negotiated

The connections of David Tua, New Zealand's world heavyweight boxing championship hope, are finalising a deal for a surprise fight in December while he waits for an elusive shot at the title.

Tua's next fight could be confirmed later this week, said his New Zealand manager, Kevin Barry.

"We should complete negotiations in a couple of days. This will be by far the biggest fight of David's career," he said, although he would not reveal the name of the potential opponent.

The prospect of a December bout for 26-year-old Tua was floated only after the Aucklander stunningly disposed of Gary Bell in Lake Tahoe in the United States on July 18 to record his 34th win in 35 professional fights.

Barry said the HBO television network was keen to have Tua on the card for their last available fight date this year, December 4.

If the deal was finalised, Barry said, Tua would fight a picked opponent in October on a smaller television network to "keep him ticking over." Although Barry would not identify Tua's next opponent, he said it would not be World Boxing Association No 2 contender Johnny Ruiz.

Tua's trainer, Lou Duva, mooted a fight with Ruiz during a press conference following the Bell bout.

However, Barry was unimpressed, saying: "This is the first we've heard of it. We've already knocked out Ruiz in 19 seconds. I couldn't imagine us getting a lot of money by fighting Ruiz, even if he's won his last eight fights since Dave knocked him out.

"Lou just brought it up at the conference. What you have to remember is since 1992 Lou's been saying that within 12-18 months this kid will be world champion."

The time it has taken for Tua to have a shot at the heavyweight crown while in Duva's Main Events stable has frustrated Barry, who will negotiate with promoters able to offer Tua a quicker path to a title fight.

"We believe David should have had an opportunity to fight for the title before now, and if anyone is to blame you look at your promotional team," Barry said.

Tua's contract with Main Events expires at the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Duva said he was determined to honour his promise to make Tua the world champion.

"There was never a Samoan who won the heavyweight title. That's what I promised him when I took him over and that's what I'm going to deliver," he said.

"I've had Evander Holyfield under my wing and David is more special than him. Evander made a lot of money with me and I tell David 'don't worry about the money. Right now we're picking and choosing but as soon as I make you champion, you can buy Samoa, you can buy New Zealand.'

"I love this kid like my son. When I went to New Zealand for the first time I went to church with his family. They said 'he's your son now, you're adopted son.' I have never forgotten that."

Duva believed Tua would become world champion if he got a shot at Holyfield.

"If David fought Evander now, he'd knock Evander out in about round four or five. David is a better fighter, a better puncher."

Meanwhile, Ike Ibeabuchi, the only man to beat Tua in his professional career, has been charged with sexual assault.

Guests at the Mirage, in Las Vegas, called police when they heard a commotion from Ibea- buchi's room. A 21-year-old woman told police Ibeabuchi had sexually assaulted her.

The 26-year-old heavyweight barricaded himself in the bathroom of his room, and emerged only when police fired pepper spray under the door.

Ibeabuchi, who has a history of personal problems and trouble with the law, is seen by many pundits as a potential world champion, and a return fight with the popular Tua would be lucrative for both boxers. - NZPA