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More than four years of legal action has left New Zealand's greatest heavyweight boxer of modern times on the ropes and heavily in debt, as millions in earnings remain in limbo with the court.
The Weekend Herald has learned David Tua is mired in about $5 million of
debt as he tries to resurrect a 53-fight boxing career that included a 2000 IBO world heavyweight title fight against then champ Lennox Lewis.
Wife Robina yesterday confirmed the size of Tua's debt, some $3.8 million of which is legal fees for a case that shows no sign of ending.
He is a little over $1 million in debt to other financiers.
Tua has been in a protracted legal battle since 2003 with former managers Kevin Barry and Martin Pugh over court-held money he says is owed to him by management firm Tuaman.
One estimate puts the total held by the court - from the sale of a Pakiri property and an Auckland apartment - at $6.4 million, though the Weekend Herald understands the total could be closer to $8 million.
In a recent setback for Tua, Justice Hugh Williams last month rescinded an order that ruled the court release more than $2.9 million back to the fighter.
It is understood an appeal against that decision is being considered.
"It's up to David to appeal any decision that's adverse to his interests," his lawyer Luke Kemp said yesterday.
Ms Tua also confirmed Tua had had a tough time lining up fighters willing to risk their ranking on a bout with him.
"No one wants to fight him ... It's been a huge struggle and a huge strain."
Tua is 13th in the latest WBC heavyweight rankings, with a record of 49 wins, three losses and a draw since turning professional in 1992.
The Tua team had been forced to "take what we can get", as getting the fights was the only way of building up to a second title shot, she said.
Tua is gearing up to fight 26-year-old heavyweight Chris Arreola in the United States in May or June, but a venue has yet to be finalised, she says.
Arreola is ranked seventh in the WBC with a record of 23 wins from 23 fights, 21 by knock-out.
Ms Tua said heavy debt had forced Tua to cut back on his preparations, given the high cost of training in the United States.
"It's been a huge struggle and a huge strain ... at the moment, it's no frills."
Court documents show Tua earned about $20 million in his career, roughly $5 million of which came from his losing bout against Englishman Lewis.
Auckland-based Puerto Rican trainer Antonio Garcia - who trains Kiwi heavyweight Shane Cameron - said Tua was still a well-known name in the United States, a crucial requirement for securing lucrative fights.
Tua had a few options for his future career, but they centred on his "trying to get the big shot to make the big money".
Mr Garcia said a title fight - win or lose - could set Tua up for life.