Barrett Ready for One Final Fight

Tireless years of training. Dozens of sparring partners. More blood, sweat and tears than anyone could imagine. That's the life of a boxer, and Monte Barrett is pulling the curtain down on his long professional career Saturday night when he faces David Tua at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. 

"This is my world title fight," Barrett told Patch. "This is it right here. They don't get no bigger than this. Twelve rounds of action against David Tua—the best of the best. This is a world title fight for me. I'm focused on this, and this is it for me."

If all goes well, he can thank the guys behind the scenes who have put Barrett in a position—from a conditioning standpoint—to succeed. 

"He's going against the number two contender," said Ken Carrier, owner and president of No Body Denied in Echo Lake Plaza in Springfield, where Barrett trains. "This is something that is massive for Monte, and all of New Jersey—that he gets to compete in this arena against David Tua. So we're excited to help him any way that we possibly can." 

The 39-year-old Barrett hails from New York and earned the nickname "Two Gunz" with his powerful punch. He said he'd love to raise his arms in victory one final time. It's the thrill he's enjoyed 34 times in his 43-fight career—20 of those coming by knockout. Kevin Mulhall, a trainer for NBD Strike Zone and one of the conditioners for Barrett, is confident that his charge will put on a good show Sunday. 

"The transformation I have seen in Monte is huge. His work ethic, his training—his open-mindedness to training—has been a great asset to us, and to see the result in his sparring and his performance has just been huge. This is going to be the best Monte Barrett we've ever seen."

"He says he's in the best condition that he's ever been in, mentally, spiritually—he is physically there," added Carrier. "He is at the top of his game right now because of the difference in the style of training—the conditioning." 

Born in Greenville, North Carolina, Barrett rose to prominence by posting a 37-3 record as an amateur before turning pro, where he began his career with 21 consecutive wins. On April, 3, 1999, Barrett fought Phil Jackson for the vacant WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight Championship and won. He also stepped into the ring against future IBF heavyweight champion Vladimir Klitschko, but was knocked out in the 7^th round after another gutsy performance. The Somoan-born Tua—who is based in New Zealand—holds a mark of 51-3-1 (43 knockouts), and will fight in the United States for the first time since 2007. His resume includes a knockout of former champion Michael Moorer and a loss to Lennox Lewis in his only championship bout back in 2000. He'll face a boxer in Barrett who has lost his last three bouts, but as he told Patch, Tua better not overlook him.

"Does David Tua know which Monte Barrett's coming in? Not the one who's looking for a payday, not the one who's got a lot of problems with his head, his head's not in the right place, but the Monte Barrett who's coming in is the one who fought Dominick Guinn, the one who fought Beck, the one who's focused, hungry and ready to eat David Tua's food. That's which one's coming in." As for Sunday's finale, Barrett will face a boxer who owns a powerful punch in his own right, but thanks to his hard work, you can bet "Two Gunz" will look to go out in a blaze of glory. 

"I'm going to be the best darn journeyman anyone's seen come Saturday night," said Barrett. "So my view is victory. This is my championship fight. This is my last fight. They always say save the best for last. Training and preparation for fights takes a lot—mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally." 

The fight, which is the main event, can be seen through Integrated Sports PPV beginning at  8 pm. The cost is $24.95. 

"This is the end of my career," Barrett told Patch, "and I'm going to do everything my way."

Click here to see Patch's video interview of Barrett.

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