KNOCKOUT: David Tua lands the final blows of the fight on Shane Cameron.

The Tuamanator is back - big time! David Tua re-ignited his international boxing career and left some serious doubts hanging over Shane Cameron's competitive future with a stunning win in the heavyweight contest in Hamilton on Saturday night.

Tua knocked Cameron down three times - twice in the first round and finally just seven seconds into the second round for a stunning knockout victory.

On an emotional night when Howard Morrison jnr sang the national anthem in honour of his recently deceased father, Maori entertainment legend Sir Howard, and the victims of the Samoan tsunami that included an aunt of Tua were also recognised, Tua let loose with no lack of fury.

Cameron had no answers at all to the power of Tua who produced another of his trademark early decisions.

His left hook was dynamite but his combination work was just as impressive.

The win was Tua's 50th in professional fights against three losses and a draw.

Coming after a two-year lay-off and his second comeback during a turbulent period out of the ring where he has fought for his fortunes in the courts, Tua must now be considered a real chance to pick up his well-earned reputation in the United States as a serious contender amongst a thin layer of top-tier heavyweights.

He has snared Cameron's WBO Oriental and Asian-Pacific belts but it will be more interesting and undoubtedly more valuable to see what the win does for his international rankings.

Even at the age of 37 Tua might still have enough time to earn another crack at a world title. He certainly appears to still have the goods to do the business.

Taunted by Cameron as a fat old man who was past his best, Tua's response was predictably brutal.

Both boxers earned $500,000 for a fight where the pay cheques were the only even things between them.

The result will leave Cameron with plenty to ponder. At 31 he is young in professional terms for this division.

But having earned his stripes on a diet of nobodies he is now left contemplating his second defeat in 25 fights.

But more importantly this fight always loomed as a major test for him in terms of stepping up to another class of opponent.

There will be no calls for a rematch.

But the sticky situation Tua is in with a low-budget Maori TV deal covering his next three fights in New Zealand, means his future here might be limited.

It's on to bigger and brighter things for the South Auckland Samoan.

"I'd like to thank Shane for giving me the opportunity to do what I like doing tonight," said Tua.

"It was very important in every way. I have lost a lot of weight and some people said I had lost my speed and power as well.

"It's not a comeback it's a continuation. It's always great to come back and fight in New Zealand. It means the world to me."

Tua joked he was going to go to Burger King and then go to sleep.

Undercard:

Light Middleweight: Steve Chur Heremaia (NZ) vs Frank Lo Porto (AUS) - Six round decision to Heremaia.

Cruiserweight: Max Alexander The Great v Aloryi Moyoyo Mensah (Ghana) - Six round decision to Mensah.

Heavyweight: Daniel The Doberman Ammann (Aus) v Lawerence Tauasa (NZ) - Six round decision to Ammann.

Light Heavyweight: Shane Chapman v Soulan Pownceby - Technical draw after 3rd round accidental head but.

Heavyweight: John Hopoate v Colin Kid Coal Miner Wilson - Fourth round KO to Wilson.