Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.
NEW Zealand's greatest boxer David Tua has shown trans-Tasman solidarity by refusing to help world heavyweight champ Wladimir Klitschko beat Brisbane slugger Alex Leapai on the day after Anzac Day.
Klitschko offered the heavy-hitting Tua the job as his chief sparring partner at his training camp in Austria ahead of his world title defence in Oberhausen, Germany on April 26.
But Tua refused the lucrative offer point blank, saying there was no way he would help anyone beat a "Samoan brother.''
Tua throws a wild left during his world title fight against Lennox Lewis in 2000 in Las Vegas. Source: AP
Samoan-born Leapai was delighted with the news, declaring that Tua was his idol growing up and an inspiration to young Samoans everywhere.
Tua, 41, was one of the most feared fighters in the world in the late 90s, knocking out four men who at one time held the world heavyweight title, including a 19-second blowout of Puerto Rican John Ruiz.
He lost a points decision against Lennox Lewis in his only crack at the championship in 2000, but Leapai says he won't make the same mistake of hanging back when he hits Germany.
Tua poses with a tiger at one of his training camps near Las Vegas in 2000. Source: AP
Klitschko has hired three crack sparring partners around the same size as the 183cm, 110kg Leapai. They are Samoan-born Natu Visinia, an unbeaten prospect based in Los Angeles, veteran Florida-based Sherman "Tank'' Williams, from the Bahamas, and two-time British amateur champion Simon Barclay.
The Englishman told reporters this week that he will be used mainly for speed work as Klitschko plans on setting a fast pace against the hulking Brisbane delivery driver.
Leapai will begin sparring in Sydney on Monday, working with former rugby league hitman Solomon Haumono, ex-WBO title challenger Kali Meehan, former Aussie champ Michael Kirby and former Penrith Panthers junior Bowie Tupou, who is back in Australia after seven years fighting in America.
Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.
Leapai's trainer Noel Thornberry said he was delighted with Leapai's preparation.
"We've still got seven weeks of sparring ahead of us,'' he said, "but already Alex is in great shape. His explosive strength is better than ever and he is on target to shock the world for the upset of the century.''
Leapai visited his old school at Woodridge High on Wednesday, telling students there that if they work hard and focus on their dreams they can shake up the world.
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Kiwi great knocks back Klitschko
Dengan url
http://sportifoclube.blogspot.com/2014/03/kiwi-great-knocks-back-klitschko.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Kiwi great knocks back Klitschko
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Kiwi great knocks back Klitschko
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar