Boxing: Tua still chasing dream

David Tua has not given up his dream of being world champion, supporters say.

Tua had been scheduled to fight Lamon Brewster on February 14 for the World Boxing Organisation title vacated by Corrie Sanders.

But friend and adviser Va'aiga Tuigamala said yesterday that Tua wanted to get the High Court case involving estranged managers Kevin Barry and Martin Pugh over.

"You don't expect a guy like him to go into a world title shot with that in the back of his mind. The guy just wants to sort his life out, and you can't blame him for not taking the fight."

The former All Black laughed when it was put to him that some people believed Tua might have lost the will to box on.

"David still wants to fight," he said. "He's a true sportsman. He's a total professional and he will fight when he is ready to fight.

"One thing that no one can take away from him is his boyhood dream to become a world champion. That has always been his goal and that is the reason he entered boxing."



Tuigamala reiterated that the court action had been brought by Barry and Pugh, and not by Tua.

While Tua was "hurting inside" over the legal battle, he was also "as relaxed as he has ever been", with his Christian faith and his family providing huge encouragement.

"For him to have to go through this is very unfortunate, but boxing is a cruel sport at times.

"He is in great spirits and those who are close to David know that the big fella can still smile and joke."

Promoter Cedric Kushner called Tua's withdrawal disappointing.

"It's a disappointment for all of us, particularly David. But under the circumstances he feels the need to ... resolve his current personal matters."

Barry, Tua's long-time trainer, and Pugh went to court to seek the return of documents relating to the Tua business taken by the boxer and given to his accountant and lawyer.

Counter-claims have been filed.

The court is being asked to sort out whom the money in the Tua accounts belongs to, whether money has been properly distributed and the status of Tua's relationship with his managers.

Tua says he has sacked Barry and Pugh, but they say he cannot do that and their management contract has about 18 months to run.

The court last month ordered that an independent accountant be appointed to prepare the financial accounts of the boxer's company, Tuaman Inc Ltd, since Pugh joined in 1999.

Tua's lawyer, Luke Kemp, said yesterday that he hoped the case would be back in court soon, maybe early in the New Year.

"We maintain that it will cause damage to David's career if this stuff is not sorted out," Kemp said. "There is a certain shelf life for any boxer in the trade."

- NZPA