David Tua to be inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame

Staff Reporters

APIA, SAMOA – 22 APRIL 2022: The Tuaman, 49 year old David Tua will be inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame at the Crystal Ballroom in Montebello, Los Angeles this Sunday.

The Tuaman will join some of world boxing’s greats including Sugar Ray Leonard, Frankie Duarte, Armando Muniz, Pipino Cuevas, Lee Roy Murphy and world-renowned boxing referee Frank Garza.

The Samoan born and Auckland based stocky heavyweight was known for his formidable punching power and trademark lethal left hook and was a highly ranked heavyweight contender for much of his career between 1992 and 2013.

His power and style was quickly paralleled with that of Mike Tyson having knocked out 16 fighters in the first round, which included knockouts of world heavyweight champions John Ruiz and Michael Moorer within 30 seconds of the bell.

Tua was ranked by BoxRec in the world’s top 10 heavyweights from 1996 to 2003 reaching his highest ranking of No 3 in 1998.

He finally got his title shot against world champion Lennox Lewis for the WBC, IBF, and IBO heavyweight titles in November 2000.

Tua lost by unanimous decision in what was a one sided fight.

He retired with a record of 52 wins and five losses.

Boxing and sports commentators refer to Tua as one of the greatest heavyweights to have never won the belt.

But like his career and the millions in his earnings, he had a fallout with his management team and an ensuing legal battle that followed had its toll.

David Tua in Samoa for charity work for young people in 2016.

A cultured and family man with deep roots in Samoan culture, a poet with a philosophy about life, the Samoan chief Faumuinā To’aletai David Tua had his parents and family as top priority.

After all, his dream like story of a young Samoan boy and parents who left the warm tropical islands and migrated in search for a better life, did indeed make it big on the word stage.

He has been at the forefront of charity and community work with the young people in New Zealand and Samoa. He is held in high esteem and has respect of many for what he has achieved and what he went through.

Being inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame recognizes what he is and his contribution to sports and an inspiration for many young people who look up to him as their role model.

The induction had been delayed for two years due to the Covid pandemic.