Watley Files $95M Countersuit Against Finkel

By G. Leon

13/10/2004

Watley Files $95M Countersuit Against Finkel

Ted Watley has countersued Shelly Finkel in United States District Court in New Jersey alleging that Finkel committed fraud, slander and theft by deception during the brief time that Watley and Finkel worked together guiding the career of ex-heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. On Wednesday,October 13, Watley filed the suit pro se, which means he is acting as his own attorney. In the lawsuit, Watley says that Finkel brought Watley on board Tyson's management team and promised Watley half of the managment income generated by Tyson because "Finkel needed Watley to re-open communications with Mike Tyson and to get Mike Tyson back to a comfort level so he could secure a three-fight contract." However, Watley goes on to accuse Finkel of lying and deceiving at the first opportunity. Watley says Finkel purposely sabotaged Tyson's opportunity to make sixty million dollars in a deal with Murad Muhammad and Bob Arum serving as fight promoters. Instead, Finkel arranged for Tyson to fight Danny Williams in a Straight Out Promotions fight. At a press conference, Watley alleges that a man named Dennis Henry of Straight Out asked Watley why Finkel was forcing him to hire Gary Shaw. According to Watley's complaint, if Straight Out refused to hire Shaw, it would have lost the Tyson-Williams fight. Watley claims Finkel committed other wrongdoings by taking on the Klitschkos as a client to the detriment of Tyson. "Finkel has orchestrated one of the worst rip-offs of an athlete in the history of boxing," wrote Watley, and as a result, he is asking the court to award him $95 million in damages. More to come!! Remeber where you heard it first! (3:40 PM ET)