Thoughts on Chris Byrd vs David Tua

Appears to be the case, he cut some fat and just got in decent shape. I agree Byrd seemed like a winnable fight for him and a shot at the IBF against Rahman was on line. Possibly the last time he really tried to get back on track. Yeah, using the eye test its the best Tua looked that late in his career, physically and action wise.

AP Archive David Tua is bored talking about Saturday's fight with Chris Byrd. ... Tua (38-2, 33 KOs) said he has been in boot camp-style training for the fight

 

Really, I'm not even going to bother with this anymore.

The lack of irony in a 38 year old Chris Byrd's crushing defeat after killing himself to make the LHW limit in a desperate attempt to stay relevant is more than apparent. It can't be compared to even the worst of Tua's weight struggles with a straight face.

 

You dont remember the stories of Tua going as far as taking ice baths after killing himself in the gym with solar suits on? That kind of stuff saps the **** out of your body.
Frans Botha did the same thing in preparation for Lennox lewis.

 

Nothing unhealthy about 2 ice baths a week.

But according to his handlers, a new training regimen, a new diet and a complete reversal of lifestyle (which has never come under question) has Tua in better shape than ever before.

He went through a complete life change," says Dan Goossen

The regimen and diet are apparently working. Tua and his handlers are all saying the right things


To prepare for Byrd, Tua reportedly sparred 1,200 rounds in the gym, working 110 of those rounds with new trainer Joe Goossen (Dan's younger brother) in his corner.
He endured a couple of two-hour fitness sessions (four days a week) with Tom Wilson, who has worked with the Anaheim Angels and Brett Favre, among others.
Twice a week, Tua was immersed in ice baths after returning from the fitness gym in the evening.
He's been put through two-hour massages each week, twice-weekly muscle therapy sessions. Nutritionist Rob Crandall mapped out an exacting plan for Tua, whose personal chef, Billy Stratham, prepared the meals.

[url]http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/2001_3328290/tua-shapes-up-after-loss.html[/url]

 

No mention of any unhealthy short cuts or concerns with his training camp weight. Nothing but positives and professional supervision. Just those terrible ice baths twice a week...yeesh. I have provided two sources, you have provided nothing.

Tua is trying to make up for a disappointing performance in a November title shot, when he was embarrassed in a decision loss to Lewis. Since then he's won one fight under the guidance of new trainer Joe Goossen and undertaken a more serious fitness regimen that includes intense 2-hour sessions 4 days a week with a personal trainer, twice-weekly ice baths, massage therapy and a nutritionist's supervision.
"I am so ready to go," Tua says. "This has been the hardest, longest and most productive camp I have ever had. It has been like a 10-week boot camp, very organized and regimented. Everything has changed for me since the Lewis fight. My training, conditioning, entire diet and the way I work with a strength coach all have severely changed. I have done all my homework and am definitely focused


[url]http://www.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/stories/2001-08-17-rafael.htm[/url]

 

Now compare this to Byrd's stupidity. Who cut the weight without professional assistance by running and starving himself.


Byrd did not hire a fitness and nutrition guru, like Mackie Shilstone, to drop the weight. He did not go on a fancy Hollywood diet. Byrd did it by becoming … well … like a bird. He started running like the Road Runner -- as much as seven miles at a clip -- and eating like Tweety Bird -- small meals every two hours.

[url]http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=3389804[/url]

 

While the benefits of ice-baths are debatable, there is no evidence of them being harmful to athletes, let alone draining...wtf? Especially just twice a week.

Now dropping a healthy 36 pounds in a few months without any sort of professional assistance or advice...is kind of nutty.

 

Yeah take Goosens word for it, his promoter. Tua never did it again, I wonder why? It was too much too soon. Youre right there is nothing wrong with improving your training habits but you have to consistently improve them slowly, and Tua didnt. He has later admitted being over trained and oversapped for Byrd, believe what you want.