Boxing: Tua says 'I want my life back'

Two years after his last bout, David Tua says he is ready to get his life back. He has announced he will fight American Talmage Griffis in Auckland on March 31.

A slightly less bulky Tua and his entourage, which included promoter Cedric Kushner and former All Black Inga Tuigamala, yesterday outlined the plan to get Tua back into a position where he can challenge for the title of heavyweight champion of the world - a journey branded the "Tua of duty".

The first step is a 10-round bout against Griffis at Waitakere's Trusts Stadium in 11 weeks.

"It has been too long, two years I have been away from the sport of boxing," the 32-year-old Tua said.

"I am very excited about continuing my professional boxing career. For two years I have had a great rest. The saying is 'Every good thing must come to an end' and as my wife put it, 'You better get out there and make some money'."

Tua's last fight was in March 2003 against Hasim Rahman which, after 12 rounds, was declared a draw.

Since then, he has gone through a messy divorce with managers Kevin Barry and Martin Pugh.

Tua announced he would return to the ring last August but then decided to delay it until the row with his managers was sorted out.

The parties are to appear in court next month to decide ownership of a block of Pakiri beach land which is the Tuaman Inc's main asset and the main issue in the dispute.

Griffis, 30, who is 1.90m and weighs 97.5kg, has been described as a boxer puncher and is effective with both hands.

With a record of 22 wins (including 14 knockouts), five losses and three draws, the American's height would have been appealing to the Tua camp considering the 1.78m Tua is often shadowed by his opponents.

Tua, with 42 wins (37 knockouts), three losses and one draw, has called on long-time friend and fitness trainer August Lam to get him in shape.

Tua yesterday would not reveal his ideal fight weight and how far he was away from achieving it. Last April he admitted to being close to 122kg, but wanted to get down to 106-108kg.

"I am in great shape now. I am going to be in even greater shape come fight night.

"Over the years I have experienced camps that are either too short or too long, and I am a firm believer that I need only seven to eight weeks of really hard workouts.

"Mentally, I need to get into gear and get my life back because boxing is my life."