Boxing
White responds to King's legal letter to stop Opetaia vs. Mikaelian
Garcia vs. Benn live on DAZN PPV - Saturday
Jai Opetaia and Noel Mikaelian should be focused on their co-main event clash on the undercard of Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn, but could boxing politics be about to scupper this cruiserweight matchup?
Taking place on Saturday and broadcast live globally (subject to availability) on DAZN, Opetaia will be making the first defence of the Zuffa cruiserweight title against the experienced Armenian.
However, since this fight was announced in August, Mikaelian's promoter Don King stated that his fighter had instead signed a deal worth $1million to face unified champion David Benavidez.
This has led to uncertainty as to whether Opetaia vs. Mikaelian would take place, and as fight week begins in Las Vegas, there is another twist in the tale after King sent a cease-and-desist letter calling for the contest to be cancelled.
White fires back at King
There was not a long wait before the boxing world heard White's response to King's letter..
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday night, White confirmed that Saturday's co-main event will go ahead, and then expressed his frustrations in the sport of boxing.
"He’s fighting this weekend," White said. "This f—g sport is the most unsophisticated f—g sport that I’ve ever seen. It’s f—d up for a reason. I’ve said this a million times."
White also claimed to have had a good relationship with King before distancing himself, and Zuffa from interfering with any previously signed contracts.
"I’ve always had good dealings with Don.
"When have you ever seen a scenario with us where we go in and try to interfere with somebody’s contract? We just don’t do it."
Why did King send cease-and-desist letter?
King's cease-and-desist letter was sent to Zuffa Boxing, which is the service promoter for Garcia-Benn, and its parent company, TKO Group Holdings.
The letter was attempting to stop Saturday's cruiserweight matchup, with King's attorney, Alejandro Brito, writing the following.
“TKO/Zuffa’s actions are outrageous and a clear tortious interference with DKP’s agreement. 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 then alleged that Zuffa's Harrison Whitman and Dana White had ignored the promotion agreement between Mikaelian and King.
"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,” Brito wrote to a TKO Group Holdings senior vice president and general counsel.
“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.”
Taylor retires with final victory
WATCH: Star salutes Croke Park with Pili triumph
While Mikaelian is under the impression that he and his advisor can explore other fight options, Birto went on to state that this could only be done with the consultation of King.
"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,” Brito continued.
“TKO/Zuffa’s actions … [are] a clear tortious interference of the agreement. DKP does not and has not granted TKO/Zuffa permission to engage the services of its fighter, Mikaelian.
"To be unequivocally clear, TKO/Zuffa’s actions constitute a knowing, intentional and unjustified tortious interference with the agreement. Any contracts that Mikaelian has entered into or shall enter into for his professional services as a fighter, without the express, written consent of DKP are void.
“The announced September 12 bout between Mikaelian and Opetaia cannot go forward. TKO/Zuffa must immediately cancel the bout between Mikaelian and Opetaia and announce such cancellation in the media immediately.”
Will Opetaia vs. Mikaelian go ahead?
Despite the unwanted carnival surrounding this fight, this cruiserweight matchup will go ahead.
The only major change would be Mikaelian's status as WBC world cruiserweight champion.
It's assumed that once the bell rings at the T-Mobile Arena, Mikaelian will be stripped of his WBC belt as a result of choosing to face Opetaia instead of Benavidez despite a supposed deal being in place.
Watch Garcia vs. Benn on DAZN
Britian's Conor Benn looks to become a world champion for the first time against US superstar Ryan Garcia this Saturday, September 12.
Watch the fight exclusively in the UK & Ireland and other territories (check for availability) on DAZN PPV or included in our Ultimate Tier subscription.
