For all those out of a NZ or Pacific context, this post is on a boxing fight between two NZ Fighters [one by way of Samoa], which was big news in our kiwi context…
So there it was, the so-named… Fight of the Century… Yeah Right, more like the Farce of the Century, as the term “fight” captures the idea of a battle between at least two waring parties. Last night, both parties may have been willing, but only one was fighting, as Shane Cameron [no disrespect... he is bigger... tougher, etc than me] very quickly became a walking punching bag.
Thank the Lord there is still many more years left in this century, which will allow the marketing gurus who must still think we really believe that stuff [sadly, it still works], can come up with some new slogan to whip up the masses!
However, for $39.95, with really only just over one round of legitimate entertainment, and I mean just, it certainly wasn’t cheap. I did not watch the pre-fight fights, so that may be a little unfair, as these did not grab me, however, the fact that we were willing to buy the fight, with the help of a little friend, affirms that, in a NZ context, this was a fight that caught…even left-hooked our imagination!
What did you think of the coverage [there is an assumption here]?
In a NZ context, I believe this was Sky’s first reasonable significant fight, so we will give them some rope. However, from a worldwide context, if such will be the presentation of a bigger fight in NZ, which they are talking about, such will need to be improved, and I am sure, if it is going worldwide, the dollars will sing for the promoters, and a show will be put on. However, if I had payed a large amount of cash for ringside tickets, I would have been rather disappointed to see the crew packing up the ring, in what seemed like moments after the battle ended. It looked rather hillbilly-like on the TV, like the promoters had only paid until midnight… or maybe Elvis had left the building!
What about the Fight [another assumption]?
Both fighters looked in great condition, with Tua, in particular, looking very trim. Maybe this is his right weight, which allows him to move and shake [fly like a butterfly], while he smashes [stings like a bee]!
However, how does one sum up minutes of entertainment? I will give my initial reaction to what I observed, which has changed little on reflection!
To be honest, I was not happy with the Ref. as I watched the one round and 30 second fight unfold. Even before the fight I commented to the guys [no girls] I was watching it with that the Ref. looked rather, how shall one put this, mature… frail. One of the things that helps make a good Ref. [I perceive] in a boxing match is to be light on one’s feet and nimble laterally, as he must be ready to respond and sometimes, very quickly make a decision about the boxing fitness of a given fighter, and step in when it becomes more bashing than boxing.
I understood why they let Cameron out in the second round, although one knew it was only a matter of time. Early in the first round, I think Cameron got the fright of his life when he felt the power of Tua, it seemed that he was the proverbial deer in the headlights. My father and I commented on how Cameron’s head already appeared red, even before the end of the first round when he went down.
However, when the early moments of the second round became apparent, I was not happy that the Ref. stayed back and allowed Cameron to be repeatedly king hit, when for all intense and purposes, he was neither a moving, nor a defending target. This was not Tua’s problem, it was the Ref’s, and he was way-to-backward-in-coming-forward!
Cameron was hit with some 14 punches without really effectively covering up any of these, with the last four, particularly brutal, as Cameron’s hands had dropped, and the man that Tyson, somewhere near his prime would not take on, let all Gehenna break loose on Cameron’s skull!
In my opinion, Shane Cameron was exposed to too many punches when the Ref. should have stopped the fight, and when he was broken in the corner of the ring, I was genuinely concerned.
I was going for the Tua Man, in light of all he has been through, in recognition that he has a much greater upside than Cameron, with two things that every World Champion of his height stature in the heavyweight division needs, a rock hard jaw, and a lights out pile-driver to “mama said knock you out” the opponent.
Nevertheless, what Tua needed in the past into his future, is what Tyson had, which was an attack dog mentally that was intent on seeking and destroy the opponent, which seemed to be on-show this night. In Tua’s last title fight, which was the event of my buck’s party, Tua was not prepared or equipped to bash down Lennox’s door, even if it would cost him a couple of good shots on the jaw. As a result, Tua was fighting out in the cold, too far from home [Lewis' jaw], and losing belief, while gaining frustration that he would ever arrive. All it would have taken is one or two serious left hooks from Tua, and the fear of an authorial figure would have loomed as large as Tua’s quods [who knows what will have then transpired]!
As for Shane Cameron, he seems a good guy, although somewhat of a journeymen, who is solid, but does not have the necessary gifts with which to put himself seriously onto the world stage. This does not mean he can’t have a long career, it does mean that, at this stage anyway, it won’t be at the MGM. I have watched a number of Cameron’s fights, and apart from having the propensity to cut, he also seems to really struggle when he is under the pump… I know, everyone does. However, when Cameron is getting hit, he does not seem to have the capacity to cover… Yes, I know it would be hard as one’s brain is a bouncing basketball… but, the top fighters invariably are able to hold themselves together and work back into a fight from such a position, where defense turns into offense!
As for Tua, there is talk of bringing “the rock” Rahman out, which, from my ignorant position, would be a good fight for Tua. Many moons ago, Tua knocked him out very early on, however, subsequently, Rahman did go on to hold a World Title, therefore, such a fight should give Tua the worldwide exposure that he needs, and should he do the damage, should lay the foundation for a world title fight in the future.
While the world boxing fraternity was not impressed with the possibility of last night’s fight, with many asking, why David Tua was not over in the States, and fighting a C or D level boxer, the pictures of the battle should be emphatic, as perception being what it is, and sound bytes dominating how we discern reality, the 15-20 seconds that may make it on highlight reels of Tua unloading on Cameron, will be speaking loud and clear, particularly at the present time, when, were it not for the Klitschko’s, boxing would be looking to retro fit, once again… “surely Evander, the real deal should be no future deal, for your sake as well, Brother.”
I am a boxing fan, I still remember as a young boy, standing behind the couch boxing away, imitating what was taking place. Settle down Psychologist, I am sort of normal! The fighters back in those days seemed to be much larger characters, with many remembered as legends, from Thomas “the Hitman” Hearns, to “Marvellous” Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Roberto Duran, to name a few in the Pro ranks, and the Cuban boxing team in the Amateur ranks, with Felix Savon such a colossus for such a long period!
The Science is still sweet… but please, next time, get a Ref. who is doing his job, and don’t let another boxer be exposed to such a mugging. Yes, maybe the Testosterone in us grunts with some fascination, but such is a drug-less cocktail that could prove fatal for a man in the prime of youth!
Congratulations to David “the Tuaminator” Tua, you deserved your victory, but don’t settle for this summit… conquer the boxing world!
Jonny said Knock them Out!
Until Next Time
I am Jonny King
Postscript: Here is some more reflection on the fight, debate as to whether Cameron’s manager wanted to end it after round one, and some thoughts on the Ref’s performance.
October 4th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Nice piece! Yeah, Tua was pretty awesome, and I would have liked to have seen them go for 10 rounds. Never mind, till next time perhaps.
October 4th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Yeah Jimmy, couldn’t agree more!
Would have been good to see how Tua’s power, stamina, and skill held up in such a context. Historically, this has been where Tua has struggled!
Although Tua wiped the floor with Rahman last time, if it does happen again, which they are talking about, there will be a better chance of it going more than 1 round and 7 sec [I believe it was, not 30, as I said in the piece].
October 28th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
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