Tua expects Lewis to avoid Tyson early

By Paul Upham: IBF No.9 David Tua expects WBC/IBF heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, 39-2-1 (30), to adopt a similar strategy he employed successfully against him when he defends his titles against former undisputed champion Mike Tyson, 49-3 (42) 2 NC, in Memphis, Tennessee on June 8.

Lewis boxed intelligently keeping Tua out of range and on the outside, in a perfect game plan, which nullified the New Zealander’s power to win a unanimous 12 round points decision in November 2000.

“Lewis, I know for a fact that he will probably try to stay away in those early rounds,” said Tua from his Las Vegas training camp. “I think it is going to be a very interesting fight.”

The 29 year-old, 39-3 (34) faces IBF No.3 Fres Oquendo 22-0 (13) at the Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort, Chester, West Virginia on April 13 on Showtime in an important crossroads fight for him with the NABF heavyweight title on the line.

Like most people, Tua feels that Tyson will attack from the opening bell trying to take advantage of what some people see as the champion’s only weakness, a questionable chin which was exposed in his first fights with Oliver McCall (September 1994) and Hasim Rahman (April 2001).

“On the Tyson side, it’s very unpredictable to be able to say what Tyson is going to do. During the fight it’s obvious Tyson is probably going to go out and try to get him out of there as fast and as soon as he can,” said Tua.


Paul Upham
Contributing Editor