Is David Tua overrated ?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Reinhardt, Jun 14, 2020.


  1. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    Tua had tricky head movement, not zero technique.
     
  2. mattdonnellon

    mattdonnellon Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Tua? Probably overrated, when I think of him, I think of the Lewsis fight, not fair maybe but...
     
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  3. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Sounds eminently fair!

    That was his one chance at glory!
     
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  4. Berlenbach

    Berlenbach Boxing Addict Full Member

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    His one and only title shot was against a 6'5, 250lb all-time great boxer. I have a feeling he would have fared better against a lot of other champs in history.
     
  5. mattdonnellon

    mattdonnellon Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Ah that's true too. It's just what pops into my mind, he was so ineffectul and locked in on one pace/one trick that i was so disapointed as i sat with my bottle in the middle of the night!
     
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  6. RockyJim

    RockyJim Boxing Addict Full Member

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    How about,"Not Much!!!"
     
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  7. RockyJim

    RockyJim Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Perfect!!!
     
  8. greynotsoold

    greynotsoold Boxing Addict

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    That was also a fluke, an aberration. Ruiz pulled back hands down and got caught. If they fought another 10 times that result would not be repeated.
     
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  9. It's Ovah

    It's Ovah I am very feel me good. Full Member

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    Figure of speech, not to be taken literally.

    And in no universe did Baer hit harder than Tua.
     
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  10. It's Ovah

    It's Ovah I am very feel me good. Full Member

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    Baer's power is amazing by the eye test?

    Show me Baer doing something like this to an opponent.

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  11. It's Ovah

    It's Ovah I am very feel me good. Full Member

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    Fighters like Baer have fought in the colour era and they haven't been particularly well regarded as punchers. Baer gets so highly feted as a puncher because he fought when he did, not in spite of it.
     
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  12. It's Ovah

    It's Ovah I am very feel me good. Full Member

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    Tua's technique was actually very good. His left hook was about as compact and crisp as anyone's which, in combination with his tremendous raw strength and squat build, gave him such stupendous power. His main problems were that he had no real boxing brain, and would shut off for huge stretches doing nothing but stand in one place waiting for an opportunity to open up. He never had the initiative to actually make those opportunities himself.

    He went to decision with Lewis because Lewis was extremely wary of his power and Tua had a head like a bag of cement. No real surprise there.
     
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  13. It's Ovah

    It's Ovah I am very feel me good. Full Member

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    It depends on what tactics he employs. Louis, don't forget, was knocked down by Galento (by a left hook no less!) and rocked and wobbled by a number of guys whose power wouldn't begin to touch Tua's. Were he to try in-fighting with Tua he'd be exposing himself to some serious firepower the likes of which he'd have never experienced in his own lifetime.

    While conventional wisdom would have Louis the winner, it's by no means a fight I'd feel comfortable betting on.
     
  14. Berlenbach

    Berlenbach Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I think Louis would out-box Tua. A lot of fighters could out-box Tua. It's just a question of making it to the final bell and Tua kept his power in the late rounds. Louis probably wins, but if Joe does get careless, I could see a Tua KO.
     
  15. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. banned Full Member

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    Tua matches up best vs. the slow footeds fighter who lack defense and are not very durable.

    When Tua fought Byrd, most felt Tua would take his head off. I wonder what most of the posters thought here? I thought Tua was very limited and Byrd would show these limitations. It was an easy fight for Bryd.

    The really good boxer movers, even cruisers or light heavyweight could beat Tua. Those with a long and hard jab could keep him at bey.

    Rahman for example deserved to beat Tua...Twice. And floored him, unofficially. Tua is probably a top all time 45-75 heavyweight. Yes he has a puncher's chance and is hard to stop. For a guy with a top chin, I only saw it tested once ( Ike ) remind. I just cannot see him winning on points vs. anyone good. Tua did not have the heart and drive he needed in many fights he lost. Shorter guys like Frazier or Marciano would take 2 to land one. Guys like Tyson had great speed and could put on pressure. Tua was even shorter than these guys. He was too concerned with the incoming and wasn't dynamic enough to cut off the ring, corner a guy and force exchanges. In the center of the ring he was rather weak.