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
(c)2002
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