Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn co-main event in jeopardy as Don King issues cease-and-desist letter
The upcoming Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn event is at serious risk of losing its chief support.
WBC cruiserweight titlist Noel Mikaelian has agreed to face lineal champion Jai Opetaia at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night.
However, the bout is now in jeopardy after Hall of Fame promoter Don King issued a cease-and-desist letter to Zuffa Boxing and parent company TKO Group Holdings, demanding it be cancelled.
King claims to have a ‘legally binding’ exclusive promotional agreement with Mikaelian and insists that he has not consented to the fight with Opetaia taking place.
Zuffa and TKO risk legal action from King for alleged ‘tortious interference’ if they do not comply.
The letter, which has been drawn up by King’s attorney Alejandro Brito, brands the bout’s creation as ‘indefensible’ and ‘disturbing.’
What does the letter say?
“TKO/Zuffa’s actions are outrageous and a clear tortious interference with DKP’s agreement,” wrote Brito in a cease-and-desist order addressed to a TKO senior vice president and general counsel.
“Based on emails between you and DKP’s legal counsel, there is absolutely no doubt that TKO/Zuffa was, and is, aware that DKP is Noel’s promoter.
“I understand that you were personally involved in discussions with [King Counsel] regarding a potential fight or multi-fight deal for Mikaelian, which would include a fight with Opetaia, and that no agreement was consummated.”
The letter continues: “It is particularly disturbing to know that TKO/Zuffa’s COO, Harrison Whitman, and the head of TKO/Zuffa, Dana White, had at least one virtual conference with DKP’s President, Don King … in an effort to secure a provision of services deal for Mikaelian, again which included a fight with Opetaia.
“Although no deal was reached, it is indefensible for Zuffa/TKO to completely ignore the DKP agreement, the promoter-fighter relationship between DKP and Mikaelian, and circumvent DKP and engage the services of Mikaelian for the bout with Opetaia.”
talkSPORT.com has reached out to Zuffa Boxing, but is yet to receive a response at the time of writing.
After winning back his WBC strap last December by overcoming Badou Jack in a rematch, Mikaelian entered into discussions with Opetaia.
He was then ordered to box unified WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion David Benavidez.
But when negotiations reached an impasse, Mikaelian and his advisor reignited talks with Opetaia and the Aussie’s promoter, Zuffa.
Mikaelian, who is expected to be stripped of the WBC title if and when the contest commences, claims his contract with King permits him to identify and agree to competing offers.
On this very point, Brito adds: “The DKP Agreement grants Mikaelian the right to ‘discuss and explore’ other fight opportunities.
“But only in consultation with DKP and under no circumstance can Mikaelian enter into an agreement with another party for his professional services without the expressed consent and permission of DKP.”
Watch Boxing on DAZN
*If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue
Sign up to DAZN to access the definitive subscription for boxing fans.
Upgrade to DAZN Ultimate from just £24.99/month, guaranteeing access to 185+ fights annually, a minimum of 12 pay-per-views at no extra cost, as well as every Lega Serie A match and other elite football access.
Alternatively, DAZN Standard is just £15.99/month, with the caveat you will have to pay for pay-per-view events.
What's Your Reaction?
Like
0
Dislike
0
Love
0
Funny
0
Angry
0
Sad
0
Wow
0
