Sport

Hall of Fame call-up for NZ boxing great

08:12 am on 23 April 2022

New Zealand heavyweight great David Tua is set to join one of boxing's most elite clubs.

David Tua Photo: Photosport

The 49-year-old was set to be inducted into the sport's Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday (NZ time).

Tua, who unsuccessfully challenged British legend Lennox Lewis for three heavyweight titles in 2000, would be inducted alongside American great Sugar Ray Leonard and Laila Ali, daughter of Muhammad Ali.

While he came up short at the final hurdle, the proud Samoan-Kiwi lit up the sport's blue-ribband division on his way to that title shot.

Tua rattled off 10 consecutive victories, nine by knockout before eventually losing to Lewis by unanimous points decision.

He was also the bronze medallist at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.

Tua retired in 2013 with a professional record of 52 wins, five defeats and two draws.

An impressive 43 of those wins came via knockout.