David Tua is one of the baddest men to come out of our corner of the world, with a staggering pro boxing record of 52 wins and 5 loses. But it wasn't just the winning that made him special, it was HOW he was winning.
Tua has one of the scariest highlight reels in heavyweight boxing history, with notable wins including KO's of world champions John Ruiz and Michael Moorer, both of which were stopped in the first 30 seconds.
His devastating left hook was the stuff of nightmares, and it helped him secure 16 first round KO's.
With a highlight reel and a record like that, it makes no surprise that Tua will now be inducted into the prestigious boxing hall of fame.
"I will accept this award for all of us. I do not accept it for myself. It belongs to the people and the giants who have gone before," Tua told the Herald.
"I can never take credit because others have laid the groundwork.
"I thank my parents who did the hard work for me and I'm also thankful to this great nation of ours for the opportunities."
Tua will be inducted alongside some of the sport's finest names in Sugar Ray Leonard, Frankie Duarte, Armando Muniz, Pipino Cuevas, Lee Roy Murphy and world-renowned boxing referee Frank Garza.
"My dad always told me: 'Never sing your own praises'. The recognition to the Boxing Hall of Fame belongs to the fans."
David Tua is a once in a generation fighter, and he will always be remembered as a hero to all Kiwi's.
