Tuaman wins By TKO over Oquendo, GooFi and Austin battle to a draw

The Telecast Will Replay On SHO2 On Tuesday, April 16 At 11 PM ET/PT

14.03 - Chester, W. Va. (April 14, 2002) - WBO No. 5 contender "Tuaman" David Tua (Photo: Tom Casino/Showtime) scored a ninth-round TKO over World Boxing Organization (WBO) No. 1 contender Fres "The Big O" Oquendo to claim the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) heavyweight title in the 12-round main event Saturday, April 13, on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING. In the co-feature from the Mountaineer Race Track in Chester, W. Va., WBO No. 8 heavyweight contender Lance "GOOFi" Whitaker fought Ray Austin to a 10-round draw. The fight card was promoted by Cedric Kushner Promotions in association with America Presents Boxing, LLC.

Tua (39-3, 34 KOs), of Samoa, chased Oquendo for nine rounds before finally catching him against the ropes with a big right hand. Tua unleashed a barrage of punches on the stunned Oquendo, finally catching him with an overhand right and prompting referee Dave Johnson to stop the fight at 1:54 of the round. The Samoan is coming off of a ninth-round knockout over Garing Lane on Dec. 19, 2001, in Oroville, Calif. The popular, hard-hitting contender is attempting to reestablish himself after losing a 12-round decision to Chris Byrd in an IBF elimination fight Aug. 18, 2001, on SHOWTIME. Tua's only other losses came on a unanimous 12-round decision to IBF/WBC Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis on Nov. 11, 2000, and to Ike Ibeabuchi on a controversial 10-round decision on June 7, 1997. The Samoan has registered 14 first-round knockouts, and 25 inside of three rounds.

Oquendo (22-0, 13 KOs), of Chicago, was winning on all three judges scorecards before he was stopped by Tua. Oquendo was able to avoid most of Tua's big punches until he was finally caught in the ninth. Oquendo was making his second SHOWTIME start. In his network debut, "The Big O" floored previously undefeated Clifford "The Black Rhino" seven times en route to an impressive eighth-round TKO on March 23, 2001. Oquendo, who captured the NABF title with an 11th-round knockout over Obed Sullivan on Sept. 2, 2001, was coming off of a third-round TKO over David Izon Dec. 1, 2001, in Manhattan, N.Y. A speedy boxer-puncher with terrific movement, Oquendo was ranked in the top five by the four major boxing organizations. The 1993 National Golden Gloves heavyweight champion is managed and trained by Felix Trinidad Sr.

Whitaker vs Austin -Draw!

Whitaker (24-2, 20 KOs) of Granada Hills, Calif., was able to establish the jab in the early rounds against Austin. After the fifth round, the 281-pound Whitaker's punch output decreased as he seemed to tire. Austin began to gain momentum until Whitaker caught him with a flurry of punches towards the end of the ninth round. At the fight's conclusion, the judges at ringside scored a split-decision draw by scores of 97-93, 97-93 and 95-95. In his last start, Whitaker scored a fourth-round TKO over Willie Chapman on Feb. 1, 2002, in Phoenix. The former WBC Continental Americas heavyweight champion is attempting to regain his lofty status in the division after losing a unanimous decision to Jameel McCline on Dec. 1, 2001, in Manhattan. Whitaker turned pro on July 10, 1996, and won his initial 13 outings by knockout, and all within three rounds. His only other loss came on a 10-round decision to Lou Savarese on March 6, 1999.

Austin (16-3, 12 KOs) of Cleveland, Ohio, displayed solid defense in surviving Whitaker's early round assault. After the fifth round, Austin was able to outwork the fading Whitaker until he was caught by a Whitaker combination towards the end of the ninth round. Austin was stunned as he returned to his corner but was able to hang on in the final round for the draw. Austin started boxing at age nine, but had no amateur bouts before turning pro at 27 on July 10, 1998. Following a four-round setback in his initial contest, Austin won 14 consecutive bouts, including 11 by knockout, from January 1999 until September 2000. The well-traveled boxer, who has fought in 11 different states, registered a five-round win over Gary Winmon in his last outing on Jan. 30, 2002, in Miami Beach, Fla.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING's Steve Albert and former world champion Bobby Czyz called the action from ringside with Dave Bontempo serving as roving reporter. The executive producer of the SHOWTIME telecast was Jay Larkin, with Ray Smaltz producing and Bob Dunphy directing.

'Touch of Sleep' Stops Replacement Fighter

DaVarryl "Touch of Sleep" Williamson (15-1, 14 KOs) stopped replacement Abdul Muhaymin in the 3rd round of their scheduled six-round affair as part of the Fres Oquendo-David Tua NABF Heavyweight Championship fight.

Williamson (6'4", 210lbs) was prepared to fight Lenzie Morgan (14-22-3, 7 KOs), but when Morgan failed to show for the weigh-in, Muhaymin (19-22-1, 13KOs) took his place. Muhaymin has taken heavyweight contenders Vaughn Bean, Oliver McCall and Clifford Etienne the distance in his career, but was visibly over-powered by the 'Touch of Sleep'. Williamson became only the fourth man to stop Muhaymin in his 42 fight professional career.

Williamson mounted an aggressive attack from the opening bell, methodically working Muhaymin's body. Late in the third round, Williamson caught Muhaymin with a shot to the elbow, visibly shaking the bigger man.

Muhaymin refused to answer the bell for the fourth round, complaining that he was unable to straighten his arm.

Next up for the 'Touch of Sleep' is a Co-Main Event fight on May 25th at the Las Vegas Hilton. Tentatively lined up is a ten-round bout with heavyweight Dale Crowe (21-5-2, 13KOs). The fight is scheduled to be televised by Fox Sports Net, 'Sunday Night Fights'.