Boxing: Tua one of three in line for world title bout

.

WELLINGTON - Kiwi boxer David Tua's hopes of a multi-million dollar shot at the world heavyweight title were given a boost yesterday, but the burly Aucklander knows better than to pack his bags just yet.

World champion Lennox Lewis fights American Michael Grant in New York on April 29 and if, as expected, he wins that bout, will put his world titles on the line again in London on July 15.

Tua was yesterday confirmed as being one of three contenders for that fight.

Lewis' promoter Panos Eliades said the July 15 opponent would be chosen from South Africans Francois Botha and Corrie Sanders and International Boxing Federation (IBF) No 1 contender Tua.

"I wouldn't say Tua is the favourite. Tua is not necessarily the opponent," Eliades said, but added he was likely to get a chance later in the year if he missed out in July.

The fight will be for all three belts - the World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Association (WBA) and IBF titles that Lewis holds after beating Evander Holyfield in November.

But Tua's New Zealand manager Kevin Barry said he was taking Eliades' comments with a grain of salt.

"I don't know why he [Lewis] just doesn't come out and say: 'I'm afraid, I'm scared, I don't want to fight David Tua. I don't look good fighting shorter guys. I know I can't hurt Tua because he's got a cast-iron chin, but I'm damn sure I know he can hurt me.'

"They've shown their hand. They're going to make things as difficult as they possibly can to make us force a fight against Lewis.

"Lewis has got no chin, he's got no legs and he's scared of David Tua."

Barry said Botha and Sanders had no credibility as contenders.

Tua is in camp in Auckland, and Barry is happy with his form, though he has to "shed a couple of pounds."

His next fight is scheduled around late April, against an as-yet-unnamed opponent.

As the IBF's No 1 contender, Tua is entitled to a title shot within nine months of gaining the No 1 spot. He has held it for 15 months, and Barry is getting frustrated.

"We're in a position at the moment where, if they don't give us the demands we're seeking, we're taking the IBF to court."

Barry said Tua could earn more than $6 million if he negotiated a title fight.