• Howick and Pakuranga Times
DAVID Tua’s next boxing fight date has been confirmed for March 31 against Nigerian heavyweight Friday “The 13th” Ahunanya.
Woodstock Fight Night, at which the WBO Asia Pacific and Oriental heavyweight belts will be at stake, is at Waitakere’s Trusts Stadium Arena.
A spokesman for the promoters, Duco Events’ David Higgins, says the big fight night is sure to be a sell out.
“Tua fighting in Hamilton [against Shane Cameron] was big. Tua fighting in his hometown of Auckland will be huge.
“At Trusts Stadium we can accommodate up to 200 ringside tables under one roof, as well as up to 3000 general grandstand seats.”
Tua’s trainer Roger Bloodworth arrived in New Zealand on January 24 to start preparations for the upcoming bout.
Ahunanya has been sparring with world-class heavyweight fighters Hasim Rachman and Samuel Peter ahead of the March fight.
Ahunanya was responsible for Cameron’s first career defeat in 2007 in Auckland. The US-based Nigerian has never been knocked out.
“Friday is looking in peak physical condition. He’s got a lot riding on this bout,” says Higgins.
Boxing insiders know Tua versus “Friday the 13th” is an intriguing prospect.
“One of the greatest power punchers in boxing history will be confronting a technically accomplished boxer with a formidable defence.
“Can Tua knock Ahunanya out, or will it go the whole distance like virtually all of Friday’s previous fights?”
Higgins says general admission ticket prices will start at $99, while corporate tables will be positioned between two and 30-metres from the ring, subject to cost.
“Every seat in the Trusts Stadium venue will have a premium view of live Tuamanator-Friday the 13th action.”
