11-29-2014, 11:00 AM
Trilogy planned for boxer David Aloua
LIAM NAPIER
DAVID ALOUA: May appear next on the Christchurch light-heavyweight Super8 card in March.
David Aloua will get his shot at revenge.
A trilogy battle between the wounded Kiwi cruiserweight and Australian brawler Anthony McCracken is just one of many intriguing match-ups being plotted for next year.
Sky Arena are still in discussions with David Tua, who has reiterated his intention to come out of retirement, and thrown up the possibility of pitting Kali Meehan against Joseph Parker.
McCracken pulled off a shock upset last weekend, stopping Aloua with three heavy shots in the seventh round to claim the WBA Pan Africa and WBO Asia Pacific titles.
A rematch clause was, however, included in the fight contract.
Aloua won their first clash by split decision in 2012 and a third, deciding bout holds obvious appeal.
"We do have rematch options over that. It's just a question of when," Sky Arena boss John McRae said.
"We'll probably look a tune-up fight before he takes on McCracken again. The first one was a split decision; that one was pretty definitive. Aloua wants the opportunity to prove to New Zealand and himself that he's got the goods and he's better than McCracken."
Following the defeat, it emerged Aloua's fiance was rushed to hospital three days before the McCracken fight with a suspected appendicitis.
He was also forced to prepare largely without highly-regarded striking coach Lolo Heimuli, who flew to Mexico to help UFC star Mark Hunt.
"If David is honest with himself the lead-up and camp wasn't ideal. Some of these circumstances may have led to that result but at the end of the day he didn't deliver."
A dispute involving fellow Australian Daniel Baff, who pulled out of fighting Aloua three weeks prior with a yet-to-be-proved medical excuse, remains unresolved and legal action is possible.
Aloua is due to be married in January and may appear next on the Christchurch light-heavyweight Super8 card in March.
Meehan is expected to claim at least a top 15 ranking with the WBA Pan African belt he captured after retiring Shane Cameron.
For now, his focus is preparing son Willis for his second pro fight on Daniel Geale's undercard in Sydney next week, but capitalising on Meehan's recent success is a priority.
"Prior to the Cameron fight he asked us to look at Shannon Briggs. That's a possibility. Personally I'd like to see a Parker fight, but whether that will take place I'm not too sure," McRae suggested.
"Everyone is going for the top spot. If Parker is in the way and he needs to get through him that's something I'd like to see. There's also a number of other opportunities. Duco have their own plans for Parker. We haven't had any discussions around that at this point."
McRae met Tua before returning to Sydney and the 42-year-old touted the prospect of taking on Chris Arreola (35-4) and Samuel Peters (35-5) in a comeback fight.
Tua needs to drop significant weight and regain fitness for that to be realistic, though.
"David is still keen to get back in the ring. It's just a question of timing. He's even thrown a few opponents at me. David knows he needs to send a message back to the New Zealand public.
"He owes it to himself and the New Zealand public that his next opponent is of international class and standing. He may revisit some of his past battles."
Sky are, meanwhile, attempting to lock in a regional title for hard-hitting Samoan cruiserweight Vatalie Soi, who lost the Super8 final to Australian Brad Pitt and got better as the night went on.
Soi holds a credible 24-1 record and lost 30 kilograms in four months leading up to the event.
There is also a strong possibility Lance Bryant, the Kiwi who many believe was robbed in his first-round match-up with Soi, will be offered a contract.
"I can see Lance as a regular name you'll see going forward."
LIAM NAPIER
DAVID ALOUA: May appear next on the Christchurch light-heavyweight Super8 card in March.
David Aloua will get his shot at revenge.
A trilogy battle between the wounded Kiwi cruiserweight and Australian brawler Anthony McCracken is just one of many intriguing match-ups being plotted for next year.
Sky Arena are still in discussions with David Tua, who has reiterated his intention to come out of retirement, and thrown up the possibility of pitting Kali Meehan against Joseph Parker.
McCracken pulled off a shock upset last weekend, stopping Aloua with three heavy shots in the seventh round to claim the WBA Pan Africa and WBO Asia Pacific titles.
A rematch clause was, however, included in the fight contract.
Aloua won their first clash by split decision in 2012 and a third, deciding bout holds obvious appeal.
"We do have rematch options over that. It's just a question of when," Sky Arena boss John McRae said.
"We'll probably look a tune-up fight before he takes on McCracken again. The first one was a split decision; that one was pretty definitive. Aloua wants the opportunity to prove to New Zealand and himself that he's got the goods and he's better than McCracken."
Following the defeat, it emerged Aloua's fiance was rushed to hospital three days before the McCracken fight with a suspected appendicitis.
He was also forced to prepare largely without highly-regarded striking coach Lolo Heimuli, who flew to Mexico to help UFC star Mark Hunt.
"If David is honest with himself the lead-up and camp wasn't ideal. Some of these circumstances may have led to that result but at the end of the day he didn't deliver."
A dispute involving fellow Australian Daniel Baff, who pulled out of fighting Aloua three weeks prior with a yet-to-be-proved medical excuse, remains unresolved and legal action is possible.
Aloua is due to be married in January and may appear next on the Christchurch light-heavyweight Super8 card in March.
Meehan is expected to claim at least a top 15 ranking with the WBA Pan African belt he captured after retiring Shane Cameron.
For now, his focus is preparing son Willis for his second pro fight on Daniel Geale's undercard in Sydney next week, but capitalising on Meehan's recent success is a priority.
"Prior to the Cameron fight he asked us to look at Shannon Briggs. That's a possibility. Personally I'd like to see a Parker fight, but whether that will take place I'm not too sure," McRae suggested.
"Everyone is going for the top spot. If Parker is in the way and he needs to get through him that's something I'd like to see. There's also a number of other opportunities. Duco have their own plans for Parker. We haven't had any discussions around that at this point."
McRae met Tua before returning to Sydney and the 42-year-old touted the prospect of taking on Chris Arreola (35-4) and Samuel Peters (35-5) in a comeback fight.
Tua needs to drop significant weight and regain fitness for that to be realistic, though.
"David is still keen to get back in the ring. It's just a question of timing. He's even thrown a few opponents at me. David knows he needs to send a message back to the New Zealand public.
"He owes it to himself and the New Zealand public that his next opponent is of international class and standing. He may revisit some of his past battles."
Sky are, meanwhile, attempting to lock in a regional title for hard-hitting Samoan cruiserweight Vatalie Soi, who lost the Super8 final to Australian Brad Pitt and got better as the night went on.
Soi holds a credible 24-1 record and lost 30 kilograms in four months leading up to the event.
There is also a strong possibility Lance Bryant, the Kiwi who many believe was robbed in his first-round match-up with Soi, will be offered a contract.
"I can see Lance as a regular name you'll see going forward."