Don King Promotions (DKP) has demanded that TKO Group Holdings and Zuffa Boxing cancel the September 12th cruiserweight fight between Jai Opetaia and WBC champion Noel Mikaelian, claiming that Mikaelian remains under an exclusive promotional contract with DKP and had no authority to take the fight without King's consent. Whether DKP actually has the contractual rights it claims is another matter. DKP's letter does not identify any expiration date for the contract or otherwise establish that the agreement remains enforceable through September 12th.

 

The dispute concerns Opetaia's scheduled September 12th fight against Mikaelian in Las Vegas. The match would pair Opetaia, generally regarded as the world's leading cruiserweight, against the reigning WBC champion as Opetaia continues his relationship with Zuffa Boxing that led him to be stripped of the IBF championship by the IBF, which is now the subject of a lawsuit that Opetaia filed.

 

The WBC continues to recognize Mikaelian as its 200-pound champion, but has not listed Opetaia - Mikaelian on its calendar of sanctioned championship fights. Based on past statements, the WBC may strip Mikaelian as part of a campaign to slow Zuffa's ascension as a powerful entity in the boxing world. 

 

DKP goes considerably further than simply asserting a claim for damages. It declares that any agreement Mikaelian entered into without DKP's written consent is “void” and insists that the September 12th fight “cannot go forward.” It demands that TKO/Zuffa immediately cancel the bout, publicly announce the cancellation and cease all further communications or business dealings with Mikaelian. It is extremely unlikely Zuffa will agree to that.

 

The timing creates yet another complication for Opetaia, whose recent career has already become entangled in disputes over boxing's promotional and sanctioning structure. Opetaia recently sued the IBF after it withdrew sanctioning for his March fight against Brandon Glanton and subsequently stripped him of its cruiserweight championship. The IBF has moved to dismiss that lawsuit.