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    David Tua

    The common stereotype about Samoan people is that they have an almost inhuman ability to withstand pain, and the career of boxer David Tua would seem to bear that out. Tua became New Zealand’s national heavyweight champion at the age of fifteen, riding his incredible punching power to dozens of victories.

    Four years later, he won the bronze medal at the Barcelona Olympics and went pro. His career in the ring saw numerous incredible battles. Some of his fiercest achievements came with knocking out John Ruiz in just nineteen seconds and Michael Moorer in thirty seconds. Struggles with his weight is the only thing that has kept him from the top.