David Tua vs Shane Cameron

David Tua vs Shane Cameron, billed as Fight of the Century was a boxing match between David Tua and Shane Cameron. This is considered the biggest boxing event in New Zealand history with a million dollar purse. It took place on 3 October 2009 at Mystery Creek Events Centre in Hamilton, New Zealand. Tua won the fight by knockout 20 seconds into the second round. The event was promoted by David Higgins and John McRae of Duco Events.

Fight of the Century
Date3 October 2009
VenueMystery Creek Events Centre
Title(s) on the lineWBO Asia Pacific & WBO Oriental Heavyweight titles
Tale of the tape
Boxer SamoaNew ZealandDavid Tua New ZealandShane Cameron
Nickname Tuaman The Mountain Warrior
Hometown Faleasiu, Samoa Gisborne, New Zealand
Purse $500,000 $500,000
Pre-fight record 49-3-1 23-1-0
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight 107.8 kg (238 lb) 103.5 kg (228 lb)
Recognition None WBO Asia Pacific, WBO Oriental Heavyweight and IBF Pan Pacific Heavyweight titles
WBO ranked 6th, IBF ranked 15th
Result
David Tua win by Knockout, 20 seconds into the 2nd round

History

Background

In 2008, Shane Cameron called out David Tua to fight in a boxing bout.[1] In November 2008, Duco Events made an offer towards the two boxers to make the fight happen, however, Shane Cameron's team were unhappy with the date and money that was offered.[2] In December 2008, Tua signed the contract for the fight to happened, however, Cameron had not signed as of yet. But it was confirmed that both boxers were guaranteed $500,000.[3] In January 2009, David Higgins announced that the fight will happen in June 2009.[4] In February 2009, It was announced that the fight would take place at Waikato Stadium, in Hamilton, New Zealand.[5] In March 2009, Shane Cameron had a warm up fight against American Robert Davis. Unfortunately, during his fight with Davis, Cameron injured his hand.[6] Due to the severity of the injury, Cameron required to have surgery on the hand, subsequently postponing the event.[7] In April 2009, it was announced that the fight was postponed until October, with the venue changed to Mystery Creek Events Centre.[8] A few day before the event, David Tua's home-country of Samoa was hit by an earthquake and tsunami.[9] Tua's aunt died in the disaster.

Fight card
Weight Class Weight vs. Method Round Time Notes
Heavyweight 200+ lbs. New ZealandSamoa David Tua def. New Zealand Shane Cameron KO 2/12 0:20 Note 1
Heavyweight 200+ lbs. AustraliaNew Zealand Colin Wilson def. AustraliaTonga John Hopoate KO 4/8 1:00 Note 2
Heavyweight 200+ lbs. Australia Daniel Ammann def. AustraliaSamoa Lawrence Tauasa UD 6/6 3:00
Light Heavyweight 175 lbs. New Zealand Shane Chapman drew Australia Soulan Pownceby TD 3/6 1:40
Super Welterweight 154 lbs. New Zealand Steve Heremaia def. Australia Frank LoPorto UD 6/6 3:00
Heavyweight 200+ lbs. New ZealandGhana Moyoyo Mensah def. United States Max Alexander UD 6/6 3:00

^Note 1 For WBO Oriental & Asia Pacific Heavyweight titles
^Note 2 For Australian National Heavyweight title
[10]

Fight details

David Tua vs Shane Cameron was held at Mystery Creek Events Centre in Hamilton, New Zealand. Tickets went on sale with prices going between $69 and $399 per person.[11] It was also announced in May 2009 that the fight will be broadcast live on Sky TV PPV.[12] It was confirmed that 7500 tickets were sold (750 corporate tables of 10 people), and 88,000 Pay Per Views buys for the event. The PPV buys were considered a world record on a per-capita country basis.[13] The announcer of the night was Daniel Hennessey, who made his boxing announcing debut.

New Zealand Born Philippines resident Bruce McTavish served as the referee, with American Robert Byrd, Thailand's Pinit Prayadsab and Australian Brad Vocale as the ringside judges. New Zealander Pat Leonard served as the supervisor and representative for the WBO.

Broadcasting
International broadcasters
Country Broadcaster
 New ZealandSky Pay Per View
 AustraliaMain Event

Weigh-in

The weigh-in was held on 2 October 2009, at Sky City in Hamilton.[14] David Tua weighed in at 107.8 kg, losing 26 kg for the fight.[15] Cameron weighed in at 103.5 kg.

Aftermath

Tua won the bout by knockout in the second round.[16] After the fight, Tua received a ranking of fourth in the WBO, and fifteenth in the IBF.[17] Tua was in a broadcasting fight contract exclusively with Maori TV, which meant he could not fight overseas.[18] Tua went on to fight Friday Ahunanya in March 2010, winning by unanimous decision.[19] Cameron went on to fight John Hopoate in March 2010, winning by disqualification.[20] David Tua retired in November 2013,[21] and Shane Cameron retired in November 2014.[22] Tua and Cameron are now long-time friends.[23]

References
  1. "LET'S GET IT ON!". Sunday News. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  2. "David Tua vs. Shane Cameron Talks are Heating Up". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  3. "David Tua vs. Shane Cameron Continues To Stall". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  4. "Tua vs Cameron: the fight of the century". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  5. "Boxing: Tua-Cameron fight goes to Hamilton". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  6. "Boxing: Cameron's hand injury 'no dramas', says promoter". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  7. "Boxing: Cameron-Tua fight postponed". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  8. "Boxing: Fight date change makes Tua 'angry'". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  9. "Tua, Fatialofa lose family in Samoa tsunami". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  10. "David Tua vs Shane Cameron". Boxrec. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  11. "The Fight of The Century". Eventfinda. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  12. "Boxing: Tua-Cameron fight all go as Sky TV gets set to sign deal". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  13. "Sky TV vs Duco: The bout for boxing's money". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  14. "Boxing – Fight Of The Century, Weigh-In, Hamilton, 2 October 2009". Photo Sport NZ. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  15. "Boxing: Tua and Cameron weigh in". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  16. "Tua knocks out Cameron". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  17. "World Ranking". IBF. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  18. "Boxing: Behind-scene scrap turned ugly". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  19. "Boxing: Tua team delighted with unanimous points win". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  20. "Bizarre finish disappoints Shane Cameron". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  21. "Enough is enough, says retiring David Tua". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  22. "Boxer Shane Cameron to retire after loss". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  23. "'It's the only world title that matters' – David Tua on receiving Samoan Tatau, friendship with Shane Cameron". One News. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
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