PRESS RELEASE: Heavyweight contender David Tua (43-3-1, 38 KO’s) would rather get hit by punches than a frying pan. What? The 32-year-old New Zealand strong man had a two year hiatus from the fight game, spending the time getting reaquainted with his wife and children. The Samoan strongman will make his U.S. return to the ring on this Friday night against Cisse Salif (17-4-2, 16 KO's)  at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino when Warriors Boxing Promotions and Cedric Kushner Promotions present Rumble at the Rock live on pay per view.

Here's his story. “I was doing my bit for the woman and the children,” said Tua. “I thought I did a good job but my wife didn't think so. She told me to get out there again and fulfill my dream. She said she'd always believed in my heart and my ability and said: 'if you don't get out there and start fighting again I'll hit you with this frying pan.'" Ouch!

Rather than feel the wrath of his wife and her favorite piece of cookware, Tua will be back on Friday in the main event on the pay per view card that also includes heavyweight Jameel “Big Time” McCline, (32-5-3, 20 KO’s) against Poughkeepsie, NY born Zuri Lawrence (19-10-4) and exciting middleweight Edison Miranda (24-0, 21KO’s) battling Sherwin Davis (18-1, 12KO’s). The Pay-Per View broadcast begins at 9pm ET / 6pm PT. Event is priced at $24.95.

But it will be Tua who is in the spotlight, trying to regain the form that made him one of the top heavyweights in the division a few years back.
Tua's match up against the powerful Salif marks his first bout in the U.S. in over two years as he once again sets his sights towards the top of the heavyweight ranks again.

"Salif is a puncher and I'm a puncher," said Tua on his opponent. "So what do you think will happen when two punchers meet? It's going to be exciting. There's going to be some bombs being thrown."

Tua dismisses the thought that the long layoff will hurt him against Salif. "I'm in great shape mentally and physically for this fight."

“I'd never had a good break from boxing before, since I was an amateur. So the layoff came at exactly the right time. It came towards the end of my career when I needed to regroup and have some time away. It was a good thing."