nevaehinvesting
Active Member
Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2003 9:13 am
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http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2646688a1823,00.html
Tua and Rahman will definitely fight - Barry
02 September 2003
Roy Jones Jr doesn't have a leg to stand on if he tries to stop a David Tua-Hasim Rahman world heavyweight boxing title fight says Tua's trainer/manager Kevin Barry.
Jones officially relinquished his World Boxing Association (WBA) belt today as he has not defended it within the stipulated six months of defeating former champion John Ruiz.
Barry said there was nothing now standing between a fight for the vacant belt between Auckland power-puncher Tua and American Rahman ? the WBA's No 1 and 2 ranked contenders ? later this year.
He dismissed any protest the Jones camp may launch in coming days.
"They will be appealing, there's no doubt about it," Barry said.
"They have their argument. I'm hearing rumours that Jones is going to sue the WBA. These things will happen, but he's done everything wrong.
"He wanted to pick his fights, like he wanted to fight (Evander) Holyfield. He'd fight (Lennox) Lewis for the money, he'd fight (Mike) Tyson for the money.
"Dave's the mandatory No 1 but it wasn't a smart fight for Roy Jones to fight Dave because he knows he didn't have the style for it. Dave's power will have been too great for him."
One of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters in history, Jones became the first former middleweight champion to win a heavyweight title when he outpointed Ruiz. Soon afterwards, he surrendered his undisputed world light heavyweight crown.
Jones has recently sought permission to fight again at the lighter division, with his preferred opponent world light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver.
However, the WBA last week denied him dispensation and ordered a purse bid for a Tua-Rahman title fight. It is scheduled for Miami on Friday, giving leading fight promoters the chance to bid for rights.
Barry said there was a chance a purse could be sealed before then, with talks already having been held with Rahman's promoter Don King.
Barry expected the minimum purse of $US1 million ($NZ1.75 million) to be cleared easily because of the promotable nature of the fight. It will be the third meeting between Tua and Rahman, the first ending in a controversial knockout win to the New Zealander five years ago and the second a draw, in March this year.
"There's a lot of interest and a lot of money out there," Barry said.
"A couple of financial backers from New York have been calling myself and (financial manager) Martin Pugh for the last four months banking on this fight happening. They reckon they're very keen to get the fight."
Meanwhile, Barry dismissed comments from former New Zealand heavyweight champion Lance Revill, who believed Tua's training camps in the leadup to recent fights had been too lengthy.
The New Zealand Professional Boxing Association president, Revill told Radio Sport that Tua appeared burned out ahead of some fights, potential evidence of over-training.
"Lance Revill wants to worry about himself and leave David Tua to do what he does best," was all Barry would say in response.
He said training camp details would be discussed after the date and location of the title fight were confirmed.
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http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2646688a1823,00.html
Tua and Rahman will definitely fight - Barry
02 September 2003
Roy Jones Jr doesn't have a leg to stand on if he tries to stop a David Tua-Hasim Rahman world heavyweight boxing title fight says Tua's trainer/manager Kevin Barry.
Jones officially relinquished his World Boxing Association (WBA) belt today as he has not defended it within the stipulated six months of defeating former champion John Ruiz.
Barry said there was nothing now standing between a fight for the vacant belt between Auckland power-puncher Tua and American Rahman ? the WBA's No 1 and 2 ranked contenders ? later this year.
He dismissed any protest the Jones camp may launch in coming days.
"They will be appealing, there's no doubt about it," Barry said.
"They have their argument. I'm hearing rumours that Jones is going to sue the WBA. These things will happen, but he's done everything wrong.
"He wanted to pick his fights, like he wanted to fight (Evander) Holyfield. He'd fight (Lennox) Lewis for the money, he'd fight (Mike) Tyson for the money.
"Dave's the mandatory No 1 but it wasn't a smart fight for Roy Jones to fight Dave because he knows he didn't have the style for it. Dave's power will have been too great for him."
One of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters in history, Jones became the first former middleweight champion to win a heavyweight title when he outpointed Ruiz. Soon afterwards, he surrendered his undisputed world light heavyweight crown.
Jones has recently sought permission to fight again at the lighter division, with his preferred opponent world light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver.
However, the WBA last week denied him dispensation and ordered a purse bid for a Tua-Rahman title fight. It is scheduled for Miami on Friday, giving leading fight promoters the chance to bid for rights.
Barry said there was a chance a purse could be sealed before then, with talks already having been held with Rahman's promoter Don King.
Barry expected the minimum purse of $US1 million ($NZ1.75 million) to be cleared easily because of the promotable nature of the fight. It will be the third meeting between Tua and Rahman, the first ending in a controversial knockout win to the New Zealander five years ago and the second a draw, in March this year.
"There's a lot of interest and a lot of money out there," Barry said.
"A couple of financial backers from New York have been calling myself and (financial manager) Martin Pugh for the last four months banking on this fight happening. They reckon they're very keen to get the fight."
Meanwhile, Barry dismissed comments from former New Zealand heavyweight champion Lance Revill, who believed Tua's training camps in the leadup to recent fights had been too lengthy.
The New Zealand Professional Boxing Association president, Revill told Radio Sport that Tua appeared burned out ahead of some fights, potential evidence of over-training.
"Lance Revill wants to worry about himself and leave David Tua to do what he does best," was all Barry would say in response.
He said training camp details would be discussed after the date and location of the title fight were confirmed.