David Tua

David Tua
Tua in 2019
Born
Faumuina To'aletai Mafaufau David Tua

(1972-11-21) 21 November 1972 (age 51)
Faleatiu/Fasitootai, Samoa
Nationality
  • Samoan, New Zealand
Other names
  • Tuaman
  • The Tuamanator
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Reach178 cm (70 in)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights59
Wins52
Wins by KO43
Losses5
Draws2
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing  New Zealand
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 1992 Barcelona Heavyweight
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 1991 Sydney Heavyweight
Oceanian Championships
Gold medal – first place 1990 Nukuʻalofa Heavyweight

Faumuina To'aletai Mafaufau David Tua ONZM (born 21 November 1972), best known as David Tua, is a Samoan-New Zealand former professional boxer who competed from 1992 to 2013. A highly ranked heavyweight contender for most of his career, Tua was known for his formidable punching power, especially in his devastating left hook. He scored sixteen wins by knockout in the first round, which included knockouts of world heavyweight champions John Ruiz and Michael Moorer within thirty seconds of the first round, as well as late stoppages of world champions Oleg Maskaev and Hasim Rahman. He was ranked by BoxRec in the world's top 10 heavyweights from 1996 to 2003, reaching his highest ranking of No.3 in 1998.[1] Tua ended his career with a knockout-to-win ratio of 82.6%. In a 2003 article by The Ring magazine, Tua was ranked 48th on a list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.[2]

Nicknamed the "Tuamanator", his fast-paced bob and weave pressure fighting style has often drawn comparisons to Mike Tyson. Tua fought many of the best boxers of his era and challenged once for the unified world heavyweight title against Lennox Lewis in 2000. In his five professional losses, Tua was never subject to a stoppage and is considered one of the most durable chins of his time.[3]

  1. ^ "BoxRec's Annual Ratings: Heavyweight Annuals". BoxRec. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  2. ^ ""Ring Magazine's 100 Greatest Punchers", about.com". Boxing.about.com. 10 April 2014. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
  3. ^ Dettloff, William (9 January 2008). "David Tua's jaw of steel". ESPN. Retrieved 13 May 2016.