TUA MEETS MOORER AUG. 17
AT TRUMP TAJ MAHAL ON HBO


World-ranked heavyweight David Tua, perhaps the most feared puncher in the sport, attempts to move one step closer to another world championship opportunity when he meets former world champion Michael Moorer in a nationally televised, 10-round main event at Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, N.J., Saturday, Aug. 17.
The 29-year-old Tua, who's ranked No. 3 by the International Boxing Federation, No. 6 by the World Boxing Council and No. 8 by the World Boxing Association, is confident he can maintain his winning ways under current trainer/manager Kevin Barry.
"If I do what I'm capable of, I'm confident this fight will put me into position for a world title shot," said Tua, who's promoted by Cedric Kushner Promotions.
"This is a very crucial fight for me," said Tua, who has a record of 40-3 with 35 knockouts, "coming after that good win over (Fres) Qquendo (by ninth-round knockout April 13).
"As a fan, I'm truly anticipating this fight with a great deal of excitement," said Cedric Kushner.
"However," continued Kushner, "as Tua's promoter one must not take one's focus off the significance of this fight. The winner most certainly will be right up there at the top of the heap."
The win over Oquendo was Tua's second fight with his long-time manager Barry acting as trainer.
During the Oquendo bout, as he did in his first fight with Barry as trainer, a ninth-round knockout of Garing Lane Dec. 19, Tua threw more punches, particularly jabs, than he managed in somewhat lackluster losses to then undisputed world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis during 2000 and slick boxing Chris Byrd last year.

"Against Moorer, Tua has to throw even more punches than he did against Lane and Oquendo," said Barry, an Olympic medalist at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. "You'll see a much busier Tua."
Tua, from South Auckland, New Zealand, is equally to the point. "The more punches I throw, the better the odds of me winning."
But both know Moorer is the toughest opponent they've faced since Tua lost a 12-round decision to Lewis Nov. 11, 2000.
"Moorer's a very good boxer and I have a lot of respect for him," said Barry. "But let's face it. He's picked himself up off the canvas a few times, and when you have that kind of weakness in the chin area it can be fatal when fighting Tua."
The 34-year-old Moorer has a record of 43-2-1 with 34 knockouts and was the WBC and WBA heavyweight champion for six-and-one-half months during 1994 and the IBF heavyweight champ during 1996 and 1997.
"I talk about another title shot, and I'm aware it's out there," said Tua. "But I'm not looking ahead. My entire focus is on Michael Moorer."
The card will be televised by Home Box Office (HBO).

CONTACT: Jim Hunter
Cedric Kushner Promotions
Las Vegas
702-880-5500 (Office)
702-880-5555 (Fax)
jhunter@ckp.tv

 

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