Boxing: Tua aims to fight next year

David Tua hopes to resume his boxing career by the middle of next year.

The boxer last night told Murray Deaker on Sportstalk that his relationship with managers Kevin Barry and Martin Pugh was over and that he would manage himself.

He had not lost his desire to fight and said he had a shortlist of possible trainers. He would not make a decision on who would train him, or who and where he would fight, until the legal dispute with his managers was sorted out.

Tua said he hoped to have a clearer picture of when that might be after the next court hearing in late February.

"The most important fight and the only fight I'm concerned with right now is what's going on in court."

He had been in and out of the gym since falling out with his managers and said he was in shape to begin serious boxing training.

Tua said he had injured his hand at home, but did not go into details other than to say it required a "small operation". The Herald has reported he broke his right hand - the one that delivers the knockouts.

In an indication his relationship was over with Barry, Tua said his heart went out to Barry's parents, Kevin senior and Myra.

"I never brought these proceedings into court but I have to have them sorted," Tua said.

"I truly believe things happen for a reason and change is good. I'm sure a lot of good will come out of this and the first step is taking control."