Over the next ten days - 3news.co.nz will publish its top ten New Zealanders of the year. They are in no particular order and we have tried to select people from varying backgrounds - the common theme is that they have, in one way or another, gone above and beyond the call of duty.
Opinion by Jerram Watts
It was labelled the Fight of the Century – but it barely went two rounds.
David Tua pulverised Shane Cameron just seconds into the second round of their much-anticipated bout in Hamilton.
After all the trash-talk and disrespect, Tua let his fists do the talking.
It was brutal, punishing, and a little hard to watch, but it brought the much-needed revival to David Tua’s career, yet was a major setback for Cameron.
Tua, 37, who lost 26kg heading into the fight, showed brutal power to finish off Cameron seven seconds into the second round after twice flooring him near the end of the first round.
Cameron was taller and managed to land a few left jabs early on, but Tua was soon landing some heavy left hooks on Cameron who clearly had no answer to the power of Tua.