Boxing: Tua's manager to slug it out in court

By PHIL TAYLOR

The bust-up between world heavyweight boxer David Tua and his managers has spilled into court.

Martin Pugh, who was in charge of the business side of the boxer's affairs, has filed a claim in the High Court naming Tua as one of three defendants.

Pugh is alleging that documents belonging to companies related to Tua but which Pugh controls are now in the hands of people working with Tua.

Tua sacked his managers - Kevin Barry and Pugh - last month but they have both since said separately that they have management contracts with the boxer which they expect to be honoured.

Luke Kemp, a lawyer working for Tua, is also named as a defendant, together with Tua's accountant, Tony Forlong.

Team Barry Ltd and Tuaman Inc are listed with Pugh as plaintiffs.

Pugh is sole shareholder and director of Team Barry and is the only shareholder listed in the company's office for Tuaman Inc.

Tua's camp did not want to comment.

Pugh said last night that possession of the documents, which are understood to contain financial details, was part of court action and he did not want to comment further.

Pugh is asking the court to order the return of the documents and is seeking an interim injunction preventing their dissemination while it considers the matter.

A hearing is set for today.