Gotham Boxing: Tua Ready For Barrett In Atlantic City Tonight

Power-punching David “Tuamanator” Tua isn’t looking past his opponent tonight, former world title challenger Monte “Two Gunz” Barrett, despite being mentioned as a future opponent for world champions David Haye and the Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali.

Tua trained in Jersey City, New Jersey to prepare for Saturday night’s 12-round main event fight on the “T-N-T at the Tropicana” pay-per-view event, presented by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, at Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Tua (51-3-1, 43 KOs), rated No. 2 by the World Boxing Organization, hasn’t fought in Atlantic City for eight years, however, he’s undefeated fighting there in 13 fights with 12 knockouts.

“I have to do what needs to be done right up through Saturday night’s fight,” Tua said. “Everything has been fantastic in camp. I have to stay on top of what’s important, focusing 100-percent on my fight against Barrett. Israel Garcia (sparring partner) has given me good, honest work in the gym. I’m not done, yet. I have to maintain – mind, body and emotions. I can’t let my emotions run away from me and start thinking about other things.”

Other things could be his second world title fight, after losing his only opportunity 10 years ago to undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis by 12-round decision. “It’s exciting times for me but I can’t get fixed on a world title fight with this important fight in front of me,” Tua explained. “I know I have to keep winning or there won’t be another world title fight for me and that’s motivating enough to keep me going.

“In any sport, including boxing, the goal is to compete for the world title. My one chance didn’t go my way, but I still consider that the highlight of my career to date. I have a goal and that’s to fight for the world title again. I’m not going to be fighting forever; I figure I have 2-3 good years left. I would be satisfied to reach my goal and say I did it. After that, I can finish on my own terms. That would be sweet.”

Tua has defeated four world champions– John Ruiz (KO1), Michael Moorer (KO1) and Oleg Maskaev (KO11) in Atlantic City, in addition to Hasim Rahman (KO10) — but the Somoan strongman has never captured the coveted belt, resulting in his dubious label as the best non-world heavyweight champion of contemporary times.

Promoted by Cedric Kushner’s Gotham Boxing, Tua will put his WBO Asia Pacific and WBO Oriental heavyweight titles on the line against Barrett (34-9, 20 KOs), who is also perfect fighting in Atlantic City with a 7-0 (5 KOs) record.

“I believe everything happens for a reason,” Tua concluded. “I look at my time away from the sport, not by my choice, when I was able to be with my wife and boys, and I also got a good rest. I’ve been blessed; I’m lucky to still be fighting at this level. I’ve come back and gotten to this point in my career. At this stage of my life, I just want another world title shot. To have that chance I need to take care of business Saturday night against Barrett.”

New Zealand’s national indigenous broadcaster, Maori Television, will present exclusive, live and free-to-air coverage of Tua’s July 17th fight.

T-N-T at the Tropicana is being promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and will be shown live at 8 PM/ET – 5 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, Avail-TVN and DISH Network in the United States and Puerto Rico for a suggested retail price of only $24.95.

You can also catch the PPV telecast in France, New Zealand, Australia, and via tape delayed in numerous other countries throughout the World. The exciting undercard will go live on PPV at 8 PM/ET – 5 PM/PT with the Tua vs. Barrett main event scheduled to go on air at approximately 10 PM/ET – 7 PM/PT.

Tickets may be purchased by calling the Star Boxing office at (718) 823-2000 or visiting www.starboxing.com. Tickets are priced at $100 (ringside), $50 and $30. Star Boxing is currently holding exclusive $200 VIP Packages, call for more information. Tickets may also be purchased at any Ticketmaster outlet, or by going online to Ticketmaster.com.

Tickets may also be purchased at the Tropicana North Tower Box Office. The Tropicana Casino and Resort is located at 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ and can be contacted by calling (609) 340-4000.