Tua spent the money - Martin Pugh

Martin Pugh and Kevin Barry give evidence in high profile case brought against them by boxer David Tua

9 February 2005
David Tua's former business manager has told the High Court there is no missing money from the boxer's earnings - it has all been spent by the boxer.

Martin Pugh has been giving his evidence in the hearing to resolve the bitter dispute between himself, former manager Kevin Barry, and David Tua.

At issue is a valuable beach front property at Pakiri, north of Auckland, which Mr Tua says he owns outright and which his former managers say is partly theirs.

Mr Pugh says in fact David Tua owes money to the boxing company the three established, Tuaman Inc, and his claim for sole ownership of Pakiri is a deceitful strategy.

Earlier, former manager Kevin Barry told the court they all agreed to invest the money from David Tua's boxing career in property, although this was never stated in their contract.

He also alleged their falling out is about "women's scorn".

In an at-times testy exchange with Mr Tua's lawyer Tony Molloy QC, Kevin Barry claimed David Tua and his family tried to shaft him and former business manager Martin Pugh by getting out of their exclusive management contract.

Mr Barry also claimed it was Mr Tua's lavish spending which whittled away the millions he earned from his boxing.

He says the dispute now seems to be about the scorn of Mr Tua's wife Robina and of his accountant Jeannette Grant, and their need to "beat" Martin Pugh.

© 2010 NZCity, IRN