Tua Stops Moorer in 30 Seconds

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Everyone knew David Tua had power. On Saturday night, Michael Moorer quickly found out just how much.

The 29-year-old Samoan powerhouse embarrassed the two-time former heavyweight champion, stopping him 30 seconds into their scheduled 10-rounder.

Attacking immediately after the opening bell, Tua, 243, backed Moorer into the ropes and hit him in the head with a hard left.

Moorer, 224, backed away and was on the ropes on the other side when Tua (41-3) delivered a crushing right to the chin and a left to the back of the head.

Moorer (43-3-1) sank into a crouch, dazed, as referee Rudy Battle waved a halt to the fight. Tua made $500,000. Moorer’s share was $425,000.

On the undercard, unbeaten middleweight Jermain Taylor, a bronze medalist at the 2000 Olympics, won his 11th consecutive bout, posting a unanimous 10-round decision over Sam Hill.

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Undefeated Joe Calzaghe of Wales successfully defended his WBO super-middleweight title at Cardiff, Wales, with a unanimous decision over Miguel Jimenez of Puerto Rico. Calzaghe improved to 34-0.