What Does This Fight Say About Tua?

The Holyfield's and Hopkins of the world have stuck around into their 40's because they have something very important tha most of you boxing fans take for granted.
Its called "boxing skill."

Its the fighter that relies on boxing skill that can usually still compete against top contenders of their weight division.

Fighters like Tua and Tyson (seek and destroyers) fizzle out quicker because they dont have the luxury of skill and savy to find their way around the physical deficiencies that come with getting older.

Evander Holyfield for example never lost to the Danny Williams and McBrides of the world that Tyson lost to.


Just think people, name me one short small Heavyweight in the mold of Tyson or Tua who was still contending in his late 30's????????

Prime Tua vs prime BarretT, Tua likely demolishes Barrett.

Shot Tua vs Shot Barrett, Barrett with his height, reach and skill finds the avenues with his savy to outbox Tua.

Barrett always had decent skill, and he can always turn to that, but Tua was never reliant on boxing skill, and he cant turn back the clock to re-capture the explosiveness he once had as a young man.

 

It's funny, 40 years ago they said a boxer was getting old at 30, now some of the kids today think 38 is young.

Anyone who played a pro sport, or at least a high level amateur one knows very well that being 25 is better than being 30, and way better than being 35.

Tua is very old and what matters more than his advanced age is he has no heart or drive for this sport anymore.

 

That he will truly ultimately NEVER be a world champion (if anyone had lingering doubts)

 

Agree. He's done as far as being a world class contender.

 

Only if you limit that phrase to mean the "major" sanctioning bodies.

He can still set his sights on Holyfield for the WBF belt.

It would be a dream come true for nineties HW scene nostalgia clingers.

 

You should be at Bernard Hopkins corner.Tell him that 35 is old,and 38 very old.40 years ago is 40 years ago,we don't living in past.Today training methods are different,nutrition is different,medicine is different,boxers takes less punishment and dont have 15 rounds.people live longer and athletes last longer.Bernard Hopkins at highest level,Glen Johnson at highest level,Vitali Klitschko,Antonio Tarver,Juan manuel Marquez,Sergio Martinez...They are all 35+ and they should listen to you and stop at 30?

 

Very good post. :good

These are certainly different times than 40 years ago. VERY different as far as nutrition, proper training and conditioning has advanced, and as a result, athletes can continue to perform at the highest level well past what they could four decades ago.

 

I still pick Tua over guys like Thomson, Dimitrenko or Chagaev.

 

IMO, Tua was an exciting fighter to watch back 10+ years ago. He always seemed to have trouble keeping his weight down, and I think that was always a problem for him. I remember watching the Lewis fight, being positive that Tua would knock him out. Alas, Lewis's reach kept him at a distance and pummled him with jabs all night. I'm still a Tua fan, and always like watching him fight. At his age and out of shape however, I think his competitive days are behind him. He always has a punchers chance though, and I would love to see him get in shape and have one more good run at the title.

 

I love Tua but Thompson would school him. Oddly enough, I do believe he'd be competitive against Chagaev though.

 

no. not even agaisnt this Chagaev with aids.

Tua is beyond horrible.

 

Until Tua loses 20 lbs, it probably is laughable to assume he'd beat any top 10 HW...

 

Tua's just had trouble with Barrett in 2 fights, and not been impressive against the likes of journey men Demetrice King and Friday Ahunanya in his last few fights.
Chagaev is a level above these guys......and you think Tua will be competitive against Chagaev.......I don't think so!