MOSCOW, November 16 (R-Sport) - New Zealand heavyweight contender David Tua reportedly retired from boxing on Saturday after his hopes of a final title shot at the Klitschko brothers were dashed with a comprehensive defeat at the hands of fellow veteran Alexander Ustinov.
Tua, 40, last fought for a world title against Lennox Lewis in 2000 but had been in line to fight one of the two title-holding Klitschko brothers if he managed a convincing win over Ustinov, who is managed by the brothers’ company.
However, the 36-year-old Ustinov dominated Saturday’s fight in Hamilton, New Zealand, winning 119-109, 119-109, 119-110 on the three judges’ scorecards.
"I actually got myself into great shape, because I believed I could do this and I believed that the fire still burns," fightnews.com quoted Tua as saying. "But after tonight I’m sad to say my heart’s not in it anymore; I think it’s time for me to try something else."
“David Tua left the building tonight," he said, in reference to himself. "Thank you very much. God bless. I love you New Zealand.”
Ustinov improves to a 29-1 professional record, with his only defeat a knockout against Kubrat Pulev last year, while Tua bows out with a 52-5 record with two draws.
Wladimir Klitschko defended his three world titles last month with a unanimous points victory over Russia's Alexander Povetkin in Moscow. Vitali Klitschko holds the WBC heavyweight belt but there is mounting speculation he will quit the ring for a run at the Ukrainian presidency in 2015.
