Boxing: Tua to fight Rahman again

1.30pm

David Tua is set to fight Hasim Rahman yet again after failing in his wish to square off with Roy Jones Junior for the World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight title.

The WBA this week ordered New Zealand's Tua and Rahman to fight for the No 1 WBA ranking before either could fight for the title.

The WBA said a purse bid would be held on August 1 if the Tua and Rahman camps were unable to agree on terms.

Ukrainian Vitali Klitschko last month gave up his right as the top challenger with the WBA when he unsuccessfully challenged Lennox Lewis for the World Boxing Council (WBC) title.

Barry wanted to exercise Tua's right as the highest-ranked available fighter in the WBA.

The WBA mandatory was last fought on July 27 last year when John Ruiz beat Kirk Johnson, before Jones beat Ruiz in March.

Since August 2002, Tua has improved his WBA rating from ninth to second.

Tua is currently ranked in the top five by all sanctioning bodies - two with the WBA, three by the IBF, five by the WBC and one by the WBO.

Tua's last bout was the controversial draw with Rahman in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) elimination bout in Philadelphia in late March.

The result against Rahman, whom he beat in their first meeting, left Tua with a record of 42 wins, 37 by knockout, three losses and one draw.

- NZPA