Boxing: Smiling Tua poised for title shot

By PETER JESSUP

David Tua and his handlers were smiling after world heavyweight boxing champion Lennox Lewis demolished television showman Michael Grant in the second round of their contest at Madison Square Garden yesterday.

The result leaves Tua nicely placed to get what he wants in a court-ordered November bout, Lewis' only opponent between now and then the World Boxing Association No 1 contender John Ruiz, who Tua slayed in 19s of round one.

Tua will have two build-up fights, the first on May 29, possibly in London, against an opponent to be named this week.

Manager Kevin Barry said neither fight would be against a big name.

"We're taking no risks in the next two fights," said Barry. "Everything is aimed at being ready for one fight on one night [in November]."

Lewis dropped the bigger Grant twice in round one, the 23-year-old subjected to a standing eight count.

In round two the British fighter finished the American with a right uppercut, the only question about the pulverising win the fact that he illegally held Grant's head with his left arm while delivering the winning blow.

Former heavyweight champion George Foreman, commentating for HBO, said afterwards that Tua was the obvious choice as next challenger, remarking that the Aucklander "definitely won't go down like that."

Tua had been in New York for press engagements, but watched the fight with Barry and trainer Ronnie Shields in Las Vegas, where he is training at the Prince Ranch.

Barry said there were "smiles all round" at the outcome, and confidence all round that Tua had Lewis' measure.

Tua, who is preparing for his next bout, had only one small regret - that he had not taken an earlier offer to fight Grant, given the ease with which Lewis disposed of him.

Grant offered little offence and no defence yesterday.

Between the first two knockdowns, Lewis landed a series of clubbing right hands that sent Grant reeling into the ropes, which held him up.

Referee Arthur Mercante jun jumped in and ordered a standing eight count.

A left and a huge right cross knocked Grant down again. The American struggled to his feet as the bell sounded - saving him further damage and embarrassment - for the moment.

The 27-year-old Grant would not quit.

But he was a pathetic fighter, swinging wildly and unable to keep Lewis away.

"I could see when he was winding up," Lewis said. "It was only a matter of time. I was shocked. I was very surprised when he came at me.

"I realised that I had superior hand speed. Every time I hit him he went down so I kept on hitting him."

That was not very difficult.

Grant came out quickly in the first round and landed a couple of jabs. But it was soon apparent that he did not belong anywhere near a heavyweight title fight.

"I'm going to keep on until I'm satisfied, and every time I get into the ring I get more satisfied," said Lewis, who should not feel too satisfied with what was merely an execution.

"He's been boxing B-class fighters and now he has moved up to the A class.

"I was very surprised when he came at me," said Lewis, apparently forgetting that Grant, now 31-1, and his corner had said all week that the key for their man's success would be to put pressure on Lewis.

Instead of pressure, Grant needed a gun. "Charging him was stupidity on my part," Grant said.

"I was just too anxious. People were looking for me to bring this thing home, and I didn't execute what my corner was telling me and what I needed to do."

Lewis, now 36-1-1, entered the arena to the song The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

The fight was only bad and ugly.

Madison Square Garden was not sold out. The attendance was reported as 17,324, when the famous arena holds 19,000 people for boxing.

Lewis, aged 34, was paid about $US10 million ($20.73 million) for his short night, and Grant, 27, made off with $US4 million.