By Glenn Wilson

Power is a dangerous thing in boxing, a well timed, well placed punch can end a fight in a split second. There are times when a hurt fighter can survive for one more round if his opponent is aware of the dangers that the hurt fighter possesses, the ability to go from hunted to hunter with one punch. But power can also have a catch twenty-two effect on the heavy hitter, too often he gets caught admiring his work and even with his corner yelling for him to stay busy, his mind betrays him by telling him that he can end matters at anytime. Such is the road often traveled by David Tua.

Tua, 33, of South Auckland, New Zealand, is hoping to garner one more shot at the Heavyweight title, but first he has to continue his current comeback with a February 24 date with unknown Javier Mora of Anaheim, California. Mora isn't exactly a household name, which may be exactly what Tua needs at this time.

Tua has not been at his best since coming out of a two year hiatus. Last March, it took ten rounds for Tua to dispose of Talmadge Griffis and in October, he was only able to get a split decision win over Cisse Salif.

Tua and his management may have been hoping to speed up his progress and throw his name into the Heavyweight mix by getting an opponent that he could knock out early. In boxing nothing gets the attention of the boxing public as quickly as a highlight reel first round ko. They hope that Mora is that willing partner on February 24. The 6'2 Mora, 24, has a respectable 19-2-1 record, but he has lost two of his last five fights and eleven of his wins have come against boxers with losing records.

Tua has been the Jeckyll and Hyde of boxing for the last decade. Earlier in his career he had knockout wins over John Ruiz (KO 1) and Hasim Rahman (TKO 10), but when he got his shot at the big prize, he folded. He fought Lennox Lewis for the Heavyweight title in November of 2000, but fought is an inappropriate word at how the fight played out. Tua at 5'9 1/2 was giving away 7 1/2 inches in height to Lewis, Lewis plan was to keep the hard hitting Tua at bay by using his jab. David was to get inside and try to catch Lennox with his powerful hooks and straight rights. Tua followed Lewis all night but seldom threw a punch. Despite his corners pleas, he could never mount a serious threat and lost a lopsided decision to Lewis.

In August 2001, Tua was given another chance to get a title shot, this time he was to fight Chris Byrd in an IBF title eliminator. While Tua was busier than he had been with Lewis, the elusive Byrd made it a long night, even when he trapped Byrd on the ropes he was unable to land his shots as Byrd rolled with and deflected punches brilliantly. Since then he has been able to halt Fres Oquendo in nine, destroy Michael Moorer in one and get a controversial draw in a Rahman rematch.

Tua, 44-3-1, 38 KO'S, could not have picked a better time to come back, with the Heavyweight division in such a state of confusion anything is possible. His power amounts to the great equalizer, while there are numerous contenders that can out box Tua, it is doubtful that many can stand up to his power.

Therein lies David Tua's biggest problem, himself. When Tua comes out with guns blazing he has a chance of being the most exciting fighter in the division, capable of overwhelming even the best fighters, just as he did with Ruiz and Moorer. But something ties his hands at the most inopportune times, his loss to Lewis being the biggest disappointment in his career, not because he lost but the manner in which he did it.

Whether he overtrained or looking for the one big shot is up for debate, but one thing is certain, there is nothing more frustrating for a fighter than to be in the ring and not be able to get his shots off. It is that awkward sensation of seeing an opening, your brain telling your fist to fly and your body will not respond, this seems to have happened to Tua on more than one occasion. I for one hope that Tua works his way back into the Heavyweight picture and is able to get his shots off each and every time because fighters like David Tua are good for boxing. Maybe David Tua is ready and able to pull the trigger this time around.