Atlantic City, New Jersey – Heavyweight boxers David Tua and Monte Barrett have fought their way to a draw after twelve rounds in the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. At times throughout the twelve rounds it looked like Barrett was there for the taking but Tua was unable to capitalize. However, it was Barrett that gave Tua the first knockdown of his 57 fight career in the final round. With seconds to go in the fight Tua desperately went for the knockout, but Barrett countered, knocking Tua to the canvas. After recovering, Tua, visibly dazed, steered clear of Barrett till the final bell rang. One judge ruled the fight 115-111 for Tua, but the two other judges ruled it 113-113.

After the match Barrett confirmed that this would be his final match, and used the controversial final decision as further motivation for retirement, stating “The sport is not pure like the fighters are”. However, throughout the fight it was Tua doing most of the boxing, with Barrett choosing to fight defensively and wrap up Tua when he got close. It was reminiscent of the tactics used by Friday Ahunanya in Tua’s last fight in March.

Immediately after the fight Tua chose not to comment on the decision or the fact it was his first knock down, perhaps he was also expecting the decision to go to Barrett. On his inability to finish Barrett off, Tua said, “I was trying to get it going. It seemed like nothing was going our way’’.

While Monte Barrett confirmed his retirement, it is unclear how much damage the fight will have done to David Tua’s bid for a second title fight; his first being his points-decision loss to Lennox Lewis in 2000. Ten years later, his most recent comeback has seen him fight fellow New Zealander Shane Cameron last year, and Friday Ahunanya and Monte Barrett this year. The draw sees Tua retain his Asia-Pacific and WBO Oriental title belts.