Billy Keane, a renowned boxing manager, has laid forth accusations in a lawsuit implicating an executive in the boxing world to have used the influence of Daniel Kinahan, an infamous name in the crime world, to coerce UFC superstar, Conor McGregor. The lawsuit, filed in California, arises from an incident where McGregor seemingly denied escorting boxer Michael Conlan to the boxing ring. Keane is seeking over $25 million for alleged breach of contract from prominent fight promotion company, Top Rank, founded by influential promoter, Bob Arum.
The lawsuit paints a detailed and complex narrative about the behind-the-scenes maneuverings in the boxing realm. This involves Todd duBoef, president of Top Rank and son-in-law to Bob Arum, who allegedly utilized Billy Keane as a negotiator to arrange deals with the crime organization led by Daniel Kinahan. However, duBoef purportedly mandated Keane to fend off any allegations of dealing directly with the cartel frontman.
The legal papers submit that Daniel Kinahan was not an unfamiliar name to duBoef. A quarter of a decade ago, Top Rank signed in Michael Conlan, a standout Irish Olympic boxer, who, at the time, was under MTK Global, a boxing and MMA management, and event promotion company, founded by the said Kinahan. Notably, it was in this context that Conor McGregor was to escort Michael Conlan into the ring.
Interestingly, Keane has expressed uncertainty regarding the truthfulness of the allegations duBoef boasted about. On a side note, although McGregor holds no ties to organized crime, he’s been knowingly spotted with noted members of the Kinahan Cartel in previous instances. The UFC fighter has old roots tied to key figures belonging to the Byrne Organized Crime Gang (BOCG), which is aligned with the Kinahan Cartel.
Michael Conlan, the Olympic medalist, was part of numerous Irish boxers who consigned to Kinahan’s management company. Regarded as a fundamental acquisition by the company, Conlan’s allegiance to Kinahan’s management broke at a time when Conor McGregor’s fame was soaring to stratospheric heights in the United States. Eventually, this led to McGregor reconsidering and consenting to accompany Conlan into the ring.
The lawsuit further elucidates Keane’s frequent trips to Dubai to ink an accord with Daniel Kinahan over the U.S television rights for future matches of Tyson Fury, the indomitable heavyweight champion. However, an encounter at a charitable event in Kazakhstan would change the course of their professional relationship.
The occurrence of the Kazakhstan charity event led to an unexpected meeting between Kinahan and Arum. As per the comments insinuated by Keane in the lawsuit, Kinahan used this face-to-face opportunity to candidly express his dissatisfaction about the business aptitude of Arum’s son-in-law, Todd duBoef.
The relationship between Arum and Kinahan reached a critical point in 2020 when Arum controversially referred to the cartel head, Kinahan, as an ‘honourable’ man. However, the dynamics shifted drastically when the U.S government sanctioned leading individuals associated with the Kinahan Cartel.
Later, as the allegations and his connection with the crime syndicate began surfacing, Arum had to revisit his stance towards Kinahan. He disclosed that he had discussed Kinahan’s involvement in unlawful activities as an attempt to distance himself and his company from any damages.
In conclusion, the boxing industry continues to find itself entangled in a myriad of controversies, shrouded in a cloud of intrigue and allegations. From clandestine deals with crime bosses to breach of contracts and significant lawsuits, the back alleys of this high-stakes sports industry are far removed from the glitz and glamour of the boxing ring.