By PETER JESSUP
David Tua has just recovered from minor surgery to repair ligaments in his right hand - the one that delivers the knockouts - after an accident that has been covered up by the boxer.
It is not known how the injury occurred, but rumour in the gyms has
it that Tua smashed his hand into a wall in anger.
He spent two days in Middlemore Hospital last month and wore a cast for some time, covering it with a towel when in public.
The injury is not serious enough to prevent him getting back in the ring, apparently, and has not been put forward as a reason for his side-stepping the WBO world title fight with Lamon Brewster in February.
It is not known if his promoter Cedric Kushner is aware of the injury. He hasn't mentioned it in media interviews since the Herald broke the news that Tua had pulled out of the fight. All Kushner has said is that he is sure Tua would be back.
He would say that - he signed the fighter for around US$1.5 million in shares in his company and paid US$750,000 ($1.16 million) to buy him out of his contract with America Presents.
The reason given for Tua's withdrawal has been the legal battle with trainer/manager Kevin Barry and financial manager Martin Pugh.
American boxing organisations have yet to react to the news but when they do it won't be good for Tua.
Don King bought the rights to promote the Tua-Brewster fight for around US$800,000 - he will replace Tua with No 3 Wladimir Klitschko or one of his own fighters and is sure to try and get Tua dropped down the rankings.
Tua hasn't responded to calls from the Herald.
Barry had nothing to say yesterday. The only thing that seems sure is that the pair will never again stand in a ring together.
