Boxing’s civil war over alleged gang lord Daniel Kinahan is heading for the High Court after Probellum launches a libel fight against rival promoters Boxxer
- Two leading Sky promoters have become locked in a high-stakes libel battle
- Probellum has issued the claim over ‘highly defamatory and untrue statements’
- Boxxer wrote to boxers to tell them that if they wanted to appear on Sky they could not work with Probellum, which has been linked to Kinahan
Boxing’s civil war over alleged gang lord Daniel Kinahan is now set to break out at the High Court, after two leading Sky promoters became locked in a high-stakes libel battle.
Probellum has issued the claim against Boxxer and its CEO Ben Shalom over ‘highly defamatory and untrue statements’ after Boxxer wrote to boxers to tell them that if they wanted to appear on Sky they could not work with Probellum, which has been linked to Kinahan. The businessman became the subject of a series of sanctions imposed by the US government in April.
The move saw warfare break out in the boxing world over Kinahan, who helped set up MTK Global in 2012 and came to prominence as an advisor to Tyson Fury, who says he cuts ties to Kinahan in 2020.
A promotional company has sent a letter to fighters asking for assurances that they are not working with Probellum if they want to fight on Sky Sports shows due to links to wanted man Daniel Kinahan (pictured). Probellum has strongly denied that they have any links to Kinahan
Links between Probellum and Kinahan have been hinted at, without any hard evidence, in recent months, including in comments by US promoter Bob Arum.
He said Kinahan’s role in boxing was ‘finished’, MTK was closing down and ‘Probellum will soon follow’ because no network would want to take any of its fights.
Probellum has repeatedly denied any direct business connections with Kinahan.
Bob Arum (pictured) hinted at links between Kinahan and the promotional group Probellum in April, albeit with no evidence. Probellum has long denied the promotion has any Kinahan links
But Arum’s comment brought it unwanted attention, not least when it emerged that Boxxer and Shalom sent a letter to fighters citing ‘adverse publicity’ around Probellum and MTK Global and headed: ‘Participation in events broadcast by Sky UK Ltd.’
A spokesman for Shalom and Boxxer said both deny any wrongdoing and will ‘vigorously defend their position.’.
Sky was repeatedly approached but declined to comment. MTK Global was approached for comment.
Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has come under fire for his connections to Kinahan, who was his advisor in the past. The Gypsy King has said he cut ties with Kinahan back in 2020
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