Roland Lastarza vs Kitone Lave

On another thread David Tua vs Roland Lastarza came up. It got me thinking that without "modern" training David would be no bigger than another stunning puncher (from the same gene pool that supposedly produces so many natural 240lb boxers) Kitone Lave who actually was around during the 1950s.


David Tua was not the first South Pacific islander to make a splash in the heavyweight division. Before him, during the Rocky Marciano era there was an exciting Tongan making waves in the division. Kitone Lave.

Clearly a talent Lave was not really pushed or nursed through the ranks correctly although he clearly had two handed power and was as strong as a bull.

He knocked out Don cokkell far quicker than Marciano did, so how does "The Tongan Torpedo" get on against Roland Lastarza?

 

Kitione was more than a journey man he is remembered among New Zealanders as a great fighter. So much so that David Tua was proud to attend Kitione Laves funeral in 2006.


In those days certain parts of the world offered limitations to fighters regardless of talent. The only option was to travel and fighters like Joe Bygraves and Kitione Lave did not get a fair shake in England. From what I have read about Lave in some of his fights he was robbed. He and Bygraves look good on film. Ingo Johansson always rated Bygraves for giving him a life and death fight before he was champion, and As a mere kid Lave appears to be robbed against him after knocking Joe down.

Here is footage.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7HjZPA1KGAs


In 1955 Kitione beat Ross Jenkins in one round at Sydney's I.eichhardt Stadium, and then headed off to England to try his luck.

He lost his first bout to Johnny Williams by a one round knockout. Kitione won his next one over unbeaten Manuel Burgo, top prospect in the heavyweight division. After seventy-one seconds the "Tongan Torpedo" ended the contest.

Next came Eddie Heam, former A.B.A heavyweight champion and 1952 Olympic representative, and he lasted four rounds.

Lave next came up against Joe Bygraves, and looked to have the fight for the taking, but Joe eventually took control and won the eight-rounder. Kitione had by now teamed up with ex-British champion Bruce Wood**** as his manager. At Earls Court in London Kitione hit winning form by knocking out Fred Powell in one round, then went on to meet Jack Gardner, one time world rated heavy, British Empire and European title-holder.

Lave did not receive the decision, but in the first round sat Jack down for the first time in his career. The English papers were in an uproar when Gardner was given the decision. The decision so incensed the British that the referee was called to account by the British board of control.

In 1956, Kitione made headlines around the world, when, after beating the German Brendemhl, and the Italian champion Uber Bacilieri, he knocked out the former World title contender Don ****ell in the second round. Don was ex-British champion, and was expected to be too tough for the Tongan.

He again lost to Joe Bygraves, for the vacant Empire crown, and then beat American Harry Wills, and top German prospect Gunther Nuernherg, by a one round knockout. 1957 saw Lave facing Brian London in his home territory of West Hartlepool. Kitione once told me it was hard to beat London in his own territory, even though he though he had beaten the British boy. Brian London got the decision on points and went on to fight the great Cassius Clay.

Another loss to the coloured boy Joe Bygraves on points, and a loss to Hans Friedrich. saw Kitione return to Auckland in 1955.

 

Yes it's one of the wonders if the world. They get heavier as they get shorter...

 

Samoans and Tongans are the same Polynesian peoples. I know this because you posted this just yesterday:


"The reasons for this is believed that the Polynesians of Samoa and Tonga are truly genetically the largest people in the world."

Whilst they are naturally big for their height it remains a mystery to science how Tua was so much heavier than the taller Kitione Lave.

Unless the same rules apply to the Polynesians where all other species of humans get heavier than taller specimens according to the advances in modern training they adopted.

 

I think Tony started out Italian but he went through the male menopause early after his altercation with a giant octopus that bit him. The resulting reaction to his skeletal structure was identical to the natural growth hormone found only in Polynesian women of over seven feet tall. So in a round about way, yes, Tony went through the change.

Either that or it was spaghetti, Beer and power lifting..

 

I'm glad you only mean this in jest.:good