Boxing Update: Tua Shoulder Injury Going Into Barrett Fight?

WBO No. 2 rated heavyweight David “Tuamanator” Tua complained about a sore left shoulder during several training sessions leading up to his July 17th 12-round draw against former world title challenger Monte “Two Gunz” Barrett in Atlantic City. However, when asked about it by his trainer, Roger Bloodworth, David said he was okay to fight.

Tua (51-3-2, 43 KOs), reigning WBO Asia Pacific and WBO Oriental heavyweight champion, is a true warrior who refused to use the injury as an excuse, or even make post fight comments about his damaged shoulder.

“Two weeks prior to the fight,” Tua’s promoter, Gotham Boxing President Cedric Kushner, explained, “I went to the gym to watch David spar. That day he told his head trainer, Roger Bloodworth, that he didn’t want to spar as his shoulder didn’t feel right. His shoulder was obviously hurting weeks before the fight and therefore David wanted to take a cautious approach.”

Kushner added, “I have a letter from David’s doctor whom he went to see in California, where he had planned to spend a couple of weeks before returning home to New Zealand. The doctor suggested that he take some time off before returning to the ring.

“David specifically stated he didn’t want to take anything away from Monte, who fought the fight of his life, but that he felt entitled to set the record straight as to his injury.”

Tua has defeated world champions John Ruiz (KO1), Michael Moorer (KO1) and Oleg Maskaev (KO11), and Hasim Rahman (KO10).