NAME:
To’aletai David Mafaufau Tua (ONZM)
BIRTHPLACE:
Faleasi’u, Samoa
KNOWN FOR:
Former Professional Heavyweight Boxer who represented New Zealand by way of Samoa. Boxing Gym Owner of David Tua Health & Fitness (based in Onehunga). An Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to youth, boxing and the community.
SHORT BIO / CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
1989 Became the youngest heavy weight champion of NZ in the amateur at the age of 16
1990, 1991, 1992 Won Gold at the Oceania Championship
1992 Represented NZ Olympic games in Barcelona Spain which won David a bronze medal
towards the end of 1992 turned professional in America with the Main Events promotional and Management Company
1996 Scored the fastest knock out on HBO history to date, knocking out John Ruiz former heavy weight champion of the world in 19secs in the first round
1996 David Tua made history in the most punches thrown in a heavy weight title fight, that record was held by Mohammed Ali and Joe Fraser, knocking out David Izon in the 12th round, who beat David at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic games
2000 David Tua fought for the undisputed heavy weight championship of the world against one of the greatest champions in Lennox Lewis, losing by going 12 rounds
2002 David Tua knocked out former heavy weight champion, Michael Moorer in 30 seconds in the first round
2005 David Tua came out of exile to continue his carrier after his long court battle with his previous AH knocking out Talmadge Griffis in the 10th round
2009 David Tua knocked out his fellow New Zealander in Shane Cameron in round two in the fight that many wrote David Tua off
David Tua records stands to date as one of the best in boxing history respectfully at 52 wins, 4 losses, 2 draws, 43 knock outs and he’s not done yet, respectfully
David Tua has knocked out 4 world champions and he was named the 48th greatest puncher of all time by Ring Magazine (the Bible of boxing)
2019 – Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to youth, boxing and the community.
2020 – In April, he will be inducted in to America’s National Boxing Hall of Fame.