By Mark Vester

Negotiations continue to finalize a proposed fight between New Zealand rivals David Tua and Shane Cameron. According to Fairfax Media, Eric Watson is now involved in the negotiations. Watson, owner of the New Zealand Warriors rugby team, bankrolls Team Cameron. He was sent a copy of the fight contract, which guarantees Cameron $500,000 dollars for the Tua meeting. Tua is receiving the same purse. Watson plans to review the contract.

Tua signed on for the fight a few weeks ago. David Higgins of Ducto, the middleman promoter trying to put this event together for months. There has been a ton of issues, mostly coming from the side of Cameron. At first Cameron was being offered $250,000 for the fight, they demanded the same pay as Tua and got it. Then Cameron wanted the fight date moved and that request was obliged. Then he wanted to stage a fight in his hometown in March, and that request was met as well. Now there appears to be another issue over money.

A source close to the Cameron's camp told Fairfax Media that those at the top of Cameron's team have the mindset that their fighter should be paid more money. The paper printed the outline of reasons that Cameron's side will present.

* Cameron's No 6 ranking with the WBO v Tua's unranked status.

* Cameron's activity he's fought six times in the last two years.

* Tua's inactivity he hasn't fought since September, 2007.

* Of the two fighters only Cameron holds any titles (including WBO Oriental heavyweight belt and the WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight title).

Based on his recent comments to the paper, it's unlikely that Higgins will agree to Cameron receiving any additional money.

"Respectfully, David is the one most people will be coming to see," Higgins said. "He hasn't fought in New Zealand since 2005 so not too many fight fans have had the opportunity to see him in the flesh. On the other hand Shane has been on his (New Zealand) tour and anyone who has wanted to see him fight, has done so. And it shouldn't be forgotten that David has had a long love affair with the New Zealand public."

Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingscene@hotmail.com