The fight's not until this weekend Willow, so I'm sure Vertigo's selection is still valid.
I see David Tua is overwhealming favourite on both both this thread and the post that Outlaw posted where the "experts" made their predictions at ESB, for the upcomming Tua-Rahman II bout.
I think ElDuque is very wise in waiting for the weigh-in before making a prediction. That's the route I'll take too.
If you look at DT's professional record, you'll see that his condition on fight night (or weigh-in)is of importance. Especially his ability to last into the last two rounds or so.
Of the 42 professional fights DT has had to date, only 8 of those have gone 10 rounds or more, and half of that number has gone the distance into or beyondthe 12th round. NowI don't have the figures for what weight he came in at those bouts, but DT's ability to last the distance, or be as effective in the last few rounds as he is in the first few, is questionable in many people's minds....including mine. Incidently, of his 42 professional bouts to date, only 12 of those have gone greater than the first 6. Don't take the result of thefirst bout between these two as any indication unless you saw what happened. HR was well ahead on all score cards until the unfortunate happened.
People forget that Rahman can hit. The 5th round kayo of Lennox Lewisof almost 2 years to the date,is inbeded into many people's minds.
If it goes into the latter rounds, Tua will run out of petrol and lose the sting behind his punches. This is where Rahman could upset team DT's plans. DT has a great heavyweights chin, but up against a hitter in the late rounds, and DT comming in at a too heavy weight, team Rahman could celebrate.
But like I said earlier: I think ElDuque is very wise in waiting for the weigh-in before making a prediction. That's the route I'll take too.
We'll see.
Cheers from Atilla.
(and El would be up there with me if he'd made his tip on the last fight official)
