Boxing: Tua more in love than anger

Talmadge Griffis (left) and David Tua looking happy at yesterday's weigh-in. Picture / Brett Phibbs

David Tua's weigh-in yesterday ahead of his fight tonight with Talmadge Griffis at Waitakere Trusts Stadium was more like a love-in.

Both are committed Christians. Tua's friend Inga Tuigamala had taken Griffis and his manager and trainer to church over Easter weekend, Griffis said.

"They could have been 180 degrees different," Griffis said. "They could have shown us no love at all, but they have welcomed us with open arms."

Griffis' trainer Krishna Wainwright, who fought Tua in 1993 on the undercard of the Evander Holyfield-Riddick Bowe fight which was interrupted when the "fan man" flew into the ring, said he couldn't wait for Friday, after the bout was over.

"I want to shake this man's [Tua's] hand for sure. That man is definitely a legend."

Griffis came in at 94kg (206.75lb) and Tua at 114kg (251lb), around a kilogram less than his aimed-for weight.

Shirts off, Griffis looked cut like a boxer, Tua appeared to be carrying the flab you would expect from a 32-year-old who has been inactive for two years - but he was a lot better than expected.

To emphasise his credibility in the big-time boxing world, talking up the fight were ring announcer Michael Buffer, whose "Let's get ready to ruuuuuummmmmbbbble" line reportedly earns him around US$10,000 a time, and Hall of Fame announcer Colonel Bob Sheridan.

Sheridan told the crew of fighters, media and hangers-on that there was no question of this being a patsy fight, of Griffis being a fall guy.

Professionals did not go in the ring to lose - he had called the Buster Douglas win over Mike Tyson and Leon Spinks over Muhammad Ali, and took nothing for granted.

Tua rang to ask him to do the fight call, Sheridan said, and when that happened you didn't say no.

"I love being part of this man's career."

Tua looked in good physical condition and, more importantly, was in a good mental state, surrounded by a supportive camp.

Promoter Cedric Kushner said he would have two post-fight words.

"If the correct thing happens, they will be 'He's back'," Kushner said.

Tua should not have fought while engaged in the messy court case, Kushner said. "If you are not focused you should not fight, and to his credit he acknowledged that."

Tua conceded he was nervous after two years away from the sport, "but it's a good sort of nervous".

He wanted another chance at the world title. He wasn't looking past this fight as far as opponents were concerned and thanked Griffis for giving him the opportunity to showcase his talent.

Regardless of the outcome, Kushner wants Tua back in the ring within 90 days. Calibre of opponent was not as important as staying busy as he builds to a return to the rankings.

"If he shows the form of old then he'll be right back in, almost where he was [top 10].

"The dominating force of Lennox Lewis is no longer there, so the heavyweight division is open, particularly for an exciting fighter such as David Tua."

Tua was happy to fight in front of home crowds, Kushner said, but knew he had to return to the US to progress.

Tonight's contest will be shown on cable pay-per-view in the US on Saturday and live on TV One from 9.30pm.

The ex-president of the NZ Professional Boxers' Association and current Commonwealth president, Carrick Belton, also scotched talk of a beat-up and said he hoped the New Zealand crowd would not take it that way should Tua win with an early knockout.

"He's knocked out two world champions early on [John Ruiz and Michael Moorer]. No one gets in the ring to look a fool. I have no doubt Griffis will be giving it everything. He wants to win."

The undercard is a who's who of Kiwi pro boxing, with long-lasting crowd favourite Sean Sullivan pitched against Colin Hunia, former Commonwealth Games boxer Fai Falemoe meeting Tipton Walker from the US, kickboxer Jason Suttee against Richard Tutaki, and Moroni Schwalger against Rico Chong Lee.

Also featured is WBF featherweight world champion Sharon Anyos

* The TAB had Griffis at $12 to win until one Kiwi punter took $3000 of that, bringing his price in to $8, while Tua was paying just $1.05.

Tua's rise in size

1992 v Ron Humes, 204lb (92.5kg)
1993 v Krishna Wainwright, 216lb (97.9kg)
1994 v Cecil Coffee, 218lb (98.8kg)
1995 v Sean Hart, 220lb (99.7kg)
1996 v David Izon, 223lb (101.1kg)
1997 Jeff Lally, 228lb (103.4kg)
1998 Eric Curry, 239lb (108.4kg)
1999 Shane Sutcliffe, 238lb (107.9kg)
2000 Lennox Lewis, 245lb (111.1kg)
2001 Garing Lane, 247.5lb (112.2kg)
2002 Russell Chasteen 247lb (112kg)
2003 Hasim Rahman, 259.5lb (117.7kg)
2005 v Talmadge Griffis 251lb (114kg)