No matter how you package it, boxing is a dog-eat-dog sport. That's why the boxing genre of movies tugs at the heart strings and speaks to a basic instinct in every human being: survival.
I've watched David "Tuamanator" Tua's career refuse to die like it was a series of Rocky movies.
From the "O for awesome" era, through the bronze medal at the 1992 Olympics, and lacklustre performance against Lennox Lewis, to the annihilation of Shane Cameron in 2009.
At the peak of his career he was notorious for his devastating left hook and numerous knock outs but his naive and trusting nature has made him susceptible to being exploited.
He had financial issues with former manager Kevin Barry and financial manager Martin Pugh, and felt restricted by Maori TV's three-fight broadcast deal recently.
His weight reflects his focus, so it looks like he may be fighting fit physically, mentally and emotionally for the Monte Barrett rematch.
Their first match-up ended controversially in a draw despite Tua's knock down in the 12th round and regardless of penalties due to wrestling tactics he employed.
The decision was booed by the locals and Barrett bitterly announced his retirement after the fight, suggesting one of the causes of his retirement was that "the sport is not pure like the fighters".
It is no secret that both fighters are past their best before date. In fact, the Tua camp suggests August 13 is a do-or-die moment for Tua's career and Barrett must have been coaxed out of retirement to right what he perceives to be a wrong.
All the ingredients are there for a classic boxing movie. The Tua vs Barrett fight invokes scenes from "The Thrilla in Manila" between Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali (well, I know that is stretching things a bit).
Tua is literally fighting for "milk money" like James J.
Braddock was in the 2005 film Cinderella Man, and he has had to overcome trainers and promoters who feather their own nests rather than look out for his best interests like Micky Ward had to in The Fighter.
And, last but not least, like Rocky Balboa, Tua might have to resort to punching animal carcasses to prepare some "hurt bombs" for Monte Barrett.
Boxing represents every individual's fight to conquer, to demonstrate resilience, to redeem themselves and ultimately to survive.
Tua is a survivor and he is learning to take the reins of his own affairs and lay off the Americanised cheesy one-liners when interviewed.
But we need to be realistic here. Tua may come across as community-focused and hard-done-by as a result of his tough journey so far, but that doesn't stop him exploiting his fellow boxer.
Barrett was unaware that a pay-per-view deal had been struck between Sky and Tua, so he won't be getting any of the profits from that arrangement.
Tua is fighting for dominance in the ring, fighting to keep his boxing career afloat and, more importantly, fighting to buy his family a house and financial security.
Barrett claims that the sport is not pure like the fighters, but I've yet to find a pure boxer.
In this dog-eat-dog sport it looks like Tua is no longer the submissive, passive or underdog. He's a mongrel dog doing what he has to do to survive.
