Tua v Ustinov

[Kigorri]

I agree and its sad to see one of my sporting heros hang up the gloves without meeting his full potential, but hey, that time has long passed.

 

In saying that, his performance on Saturday was not at all bad, it's just he really should have had a couple fights prior to this one to shake the ring rust. Its just.... the promotion would not have been as big. He barely broke a sweat, was sharp when he wanted to be, just not aggressive enough, was fighting a guy who did what anyone with that type of size advantage would do against a big hitter. I think Daid would have decimated Monty Barrett if he was in that kind of shape (for example). Still... 40 years is starting to push it at that level. I dont know that the result would be any different a few fights later... size matters, especially when you give up almost a foot in reach, but I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that David could still be very competitive in the world heavyweight division. I'm not saying championship bouts but I could see him in the top 20 rankings across the board if he applied himself...even flirting with top 10 .... that would need a lot of training hard word though. 

Anyone else notice how all the fighters on the undercard that were covered in Hydr8 sponsorship were lined up against fighters that were not up to their level? that was a shocker.... way to look after your sponsors aye.

Anyway.... at least keep in shape and tell Tyson Fury that he could step in for Haye! haha

 

 

[mrgeeky]

another brilliant post Kigorri.. I too agree after seeing that match that Tua still has somethign to offer and I have admit I was wrong with my ealier comments saying Tua was washed up.. I think he performed well when you consider the size differnce..  although i think the Tua in his prime has long gone, Tua still looked like he had plenty to offer as you said, once he shook of the ring rust..

I also had the same thoughts as you, why didnt he try to ease his way back in to it instead of jumping straight in with that monster..

And I do agree, a Tua in that condition would have wiped the floor with Barrett.! 

I fidn myself almost wishing he would carry on fighting but hand pick his opponents.. Stay away from the monsters.. Its unfortuante for Tua though that the chance of every taking that heavy weight title now in an era of giants in the boxing world would be an extremely hard ask.. Hard enough in his youth aganist such monsters let alone a ring rusty aged Tua..

I still take my hat off to Tua in every respect.. The thing that amazed and frustrates me a little now is some of the stupid comments being thrown around about Tua...  I was in the gym and had a couple of mates come up to talk to me about the fight.. Their comments had me shaking my head..

Why didnt Tua try harder?
He should have brawled it out from the start/
Tua was only in it for the payday
Etc etc etc..
And some of the crap on the message boards.. Tuas a bum, etc etc..

Jeeze I wonder how many of his knockers would have the balls to jump in the ring with such a freaking monster for starters let alone put up not a too badder performance.. That fight was in no way a disgrace for Tua.. It was an almost impossible task from the start and I think Tua did well.

[mrgeeky]

Interesting chat with one of Davids friends/trainers today..
And this is what he said David had to say after the fight.
David said by the 5 or 6th round he realised he just didnt have it anymore..  Ustinov is definitely no Lennox Lewis and David says he should have been able to knock him out.. But, Ustinov's game plan was to come forward.. David usually is the one to come forward and put the pressure on but this time he just couldnt do it.. He felt his legs just didnt have the power they should have.. He just lost the ability to put the pressure on.. At one point he seen a perfect chance for an over hand right and he just couldnt let fly in time.. He missed chances for uppercuts he should have been able to throw and his trademe mark left hook was even suffering..
Usually he can slide or leap in to his left to throw that trademe mark left hook but he just couldnt get his feet to move..
He said by the 5th or 6th round he realised he just didnt have it anymore.. Time had caught up with him..

My personal thoughts and I did say this, that it just sounds like ring rust.. With a couple of warm up fights under his belt to get his timing back surely he could only get better.????
I mean we all know he has the ability to do it all he just needs to get his timing right, right??
Saying that Im definitely not knowledgable in things elite boxing. Those are just my thoughts..

 

Anyway, David was quite definite, he realised age had caught up with him and he just didnt have the ability that he had in his youth.. That was why he decided it was time to call it quits... 

Just thought you guys might find that interesting..

[Kigorri]

Wow, thanks for passing that on! great read. I really feel for the guy...... I think that I may have even seen that look on his face between rounds....there was one corner session mid way through that was quiet like a funeral.