Tua de Force - exclusive, live and free-to-air on Maori Television

New Zealand’s national indigenous broadcaster, Maori Television, will present exclusive, live and free-to-air coverage of David ‘Tuamanator’ Tua’s next fight in his campaign to take out the world heavyweight championship title this Sunday July 18 from midday.

Now ranked number two by the World Boxing Organisation (WBO), the Samoan strongman is continuing his TUA DE FORCE campaign with his first fight in the United States in almost three years. The Kiwi heavyweight is happy with his preparations ahead of the July 18 showdown against former world title challenger Monte ‘Two Gunz’ Barrett.

Leading bilingual sports presenter Te Arahi Maipi will anchor Maori Television's coverage assisted by three-time New Zealand boxing champion and Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Danny Codling. Colonel Bob Sheridan will call the fights ringside from the United States.

Tua is encamped close to the fight venue in Jersey City – at the Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City – and wants to return the faith his own fans have shown him. His last fight in the United States was a second round knockout of Cerrone Fox in September 2007. However, Tua says he has many supporters and friends in the USA who he knows will be getting to the fight to back him.

“My fans here are just as passionate as they are at home. It's a great feeling and humbling to know that my fans are still there and still into it for me. I'm grateful for their support and loyalty they've always shown for me. My fans have supported me since day one and that means the world to me.”

Under the careful eye of trainer Roger Bloodworth, the big-punching fighter is on-track and anticipates entering the ring at his best weight of around 108kg – the same weight he had when he knocked out Shane Cameron and out-pointed Friday Ahunanya in the first two fights of his latest comeback.

If he can make an impact against Barrett it will help advance his career. Tua has already quickly gained the number two ranking with the WBO but needs a convincing victory against the experienced Barrett – preferably by his trademark knockout – to increase his marketability. His WBO Asian Pacific and WBO Oriental Heavyweight belts are on the line. “All is good and I'm working hard, and taking it one day at a time.”

For this fight, Tua will be wearing black trunks with pink logos and emblems in honour of his mother, Noela Tua, who has breast cancer, and for his wife’s sister, Vania Savilla-Siteine, who also has cancer.

Tune in to TUA DE FORCE – exclusive, live and free-to-air in New Zealand on Maori Television this Sunday July 18 from midday.