Dmitriy Salita is disappointed by the ‘false’ allegations made in Jermaine Franklin’s lawsuit

Dmitriy Salita is disappointed by Jermaine Franklin’s lawsuit and insists ‘the truth’ will come out when they go to court to discuss the matter. 

Sportsmail exclusively revealed that Franklin had filed a lawsuit against Salita promotions on Friday March 24 – just seven days before his blockbuster bout with Anthony Joshua. 

The American heavyweight is suing Salita promotions over the percentage the company are entitled to ‘when they’re not acting as a promoter, co- promoter or involved in a purse bid.’ 

Franklin’s team feel Salita promotions have been taking advantage of their current contract – especially in circumstances where their ‘only duty is to give Franklin permission to engage in a boxing match’.

However, Salita is adamant that his company has delivered everything it promised Franklin four years ago when they first signed him and said the allegations in the lawsuit are ‘frivolous and false’. 

Salita went on to say that he ‘work tirelessly’ to build the profile of the fighters he promotes and told Sportsmail he is focused on bringing each of them the best opportunities possible. 

Salita is also disappointed about the timing of the suit as he believes they should be celebrating an important fight, and a life-changing opportunity for Franklin to establish himself as a top tier heavyweight.

Nevertheless, Salita has said his legal team will address the allegations in the suit during their court battle and insists ‘the truth’ regarding the situation with Franklin will come out. 

Salita told Sportsmail: ‘It is unfortunate that during a week that we should be celebrating an important fight, and a life-changing opportunity for Jermaine Franklin to establish himself as a top tier heavyweight, we are speaking about a lawsuit. 

‘I was a fighter myself, and as a promoter I work tirelessly to build the fighters I promote and to bring them the best opportunities.

‘Jermaine’s first fight with Salita Promotions was his first fight on national television and his career highest payday up to that point. 

‘Other than a tune-up fight we arranged for Jermaine when he was coming out of bankruptcy, every fight since then has been on national television with significant paydays. 

‘His most recent fight against Dillian Whyte was again a career high payday for Jermaine, as is this Saturday’s fight against Anthony Joshua – and in terms of smart matchmaking, both fights were against big names who have recently shown vulnerabilities. 

‘These opportunities are a result of diligent, focused work on behalf of Jermaine. When Salita Promotions signed Jermaine, few in the boxing industry knew his name. 

‘Now he is a bona fide contender known all over the world and with the opportunity to change his life, and his family’s life, on Saturday night. Those are the facts. 

‘Regarding the frivolous and false allegations in the court papers, my legal team will address those in court, and I am confident that the truth will come out. 

‘Salita Promotions has delivered everything it promised Jermaine four years ago when we first signed him, and I look forward to him fulfilling his own promise with a great performance on April 1st.’