Oct 2014 08

On October 11, 2014 Battle of the Badges newcomer Iulai Tuua, CDCR Mule Creek will step into the ring for the first time against fellow newcomer Pierce Masse, Fresno Police Dept in a 3 round Super Heavyweight bout. The UCA caught up with Tuua to ask him a few questions about his upcoming fight.

Height: 6’1
Weight: 270
Age: 30
Coach: James Dorris, Folsom Police Dept.
Gym: The Edge, Jackson, CA

UCA- How has the process been preparing for the fight with work and family?

TUUA-It has been really tough.  Family is always first on my priority list.  I have been fortunate enough to have a wife that is very supportive in anything I do.  She takes really good care of our 3 kids and everything at home-along with a full-time job as a teacher.  She also holds me accountable for my work outs.  Work is extremely busy, as we are going through lots of changes.  I am also an assistant football coach at Bradshaw Christian School in Elk Grove.  So, with all that and training for this fight, it has been extremely difficult.

UCA-How many days a week are you getting to the gym to train?

TUUA-I train 3 days a week at the gym with my coach James Dorris.

UCA-Are you doing any unique or crazy training to prepare for the fight?

TUUA- Yes.  I am currently going through a training called “Warrior Training” that is also put together by my coach.  I don’t know how to explain the training, but it’s really tough.

UCA-Is it tough finding sparring partners your size?

TUUA-Yes.

UCA-Who are some of your sparring partners?

TUUA- My coach James “Lights Out” Dorris, my brother-in-law Bobby Brooks and a fellow co-worker and a participant of previous Battle of the Badges, Charlie Heintschel.

UCA-Do you feel you have any advantages over Masse?  

TUUA- It’s hard to tell.  I have a great coach, great sparring partners and I have been training really hard.  I guess we’ll find out on October 11th.

UCA-You and Masse both played college football. You played for Cal Poly and Masse played for Fresno State. Did you ever play against him?

TUUA- We did not have the opportunity to play against each other, but it would have made this fight a little more interesting if we did.

UCA-Based on Masse’s training video do you feel your skills match up with his?

TUUA-Definitely.  You have two big athletic guys that can bang.  I think we match up really well.

UCA-Will you be training on anything specific in preparation for Masse?

TUUA-No, I will just continue to train the same way I have been training.

UCA-Are you prepared for a back and forth battle where you are both tested?

TUUA: Yes I am.

UCA-If you had to pick one fighter whose style most resembles yours who would it be?

TUUA-David Tua.

UCA-What will you be thinking about as you walk to the ring?

TUUA-My training.

UCA-Have you envisioned in your mind how the fight will end? 

TUUA- With a Victory.