Boxing: Judge puts lock on Tua's purse

David Tua goes into the ring next week to resurrect his boxing career - knowing that he will not get his gloves on a chunk of the cash.

A judge has ruled money from the fight must be held by court-appointed accountants until a decision is made on a legal battle between Tua and his former managers.

Tua makes his comeback against unfancied American Talmage Griffis on Thursday, after two years without a fight.

But the row between Tua and former managers Martin Pugh and Kevin Barry means 30 per cent of the gross earnings, 80 per cent of the purse and up-front signing fees, and 80 per cent of the endorsements, media and ticket sales will be impounded.

Justice Hugh Williams, in the High Court at Auckland on Thursday, said Tua must hand over "immediately on receipt" the proceedings from the heavyweight bout. Payment to a third party met the "overall interests of justice".

The case was brought by Mr Pugh and Mr Barry under their management company, Tuaman Inc.

That company was formed in 1999 as part of an "exclusive management agreement" between the two men and Tua. But relations broke down amid accusations that the managers had mismanaged the boxer's income, and in October 2003 Tua announced he was cancelling the agreement.

A decision on who owns a $7.5 million block of Pakiri beach land, Tuaman Inc's main asset and central to the dispute, is expected next month.

The judge's latest decision resulted in a crowing press release from Mr Pugh, who described it as a "knockdown" for Tua.

"This is not a trial about public popularity, it's the law in this country being adhered to and if David Tua and his new management team think they can get away with village-law mentality then they are mistaken."

Richard Gordon, solicitor for Tuaman Inc, argued on Thursday that an injunction should be placed on the fight proceeds to preserve the money from "improper dissipation".

Mr Gordon said Tuaman Inc simply wanted to preserve the status quo ahead of a full hearing on issues surrounding the exclusive management agreement.

Tony Molloy QC, counsel for Tua, rejected the claim, saying that Tuaman Inc was relying on an agreement that it had been shown to have "comprehensively breached".

Having not bothered to observe the contract, they were now seeking to enforce it against Mr Tua, he said.

But Mr Molloy added that there was no guarantee the fight would be a success and bring in much cash.

"We may not be talking about a pot of gold, but a black hole."

Justice Williams granted the injunction but warned it would have been a different story if Mr Pugh and Mr Barry had wanted the money themselves. An application to award costs to Tuaman Inc was refused.

Tua's last fight, against Hasim Rahman, ended in a draw after 12 rounds. At that time, Tua was ranked in the top five by all the major international boxing sanctioning bodies.

He meets "Two Guns" Griffis over 10-rounds at the Waitakere Trusts Stadium on Thursday.