Zuffa Boxing plans to proceed with a Saturday cruiserweight bout between Jai Opetaia and Noel Mikaelian despite a cease and desist letter from Don King Productions alleging it holds exclusive promotional rights to the fighter’s career.
Dana White, CEO of both companies, told reporters at Contender Series in Las Vegas on Tuesday that Mikaelian would fight as scheduled. He characterized boxing as deeply unsophisticated and suggested that the organization does not interfere with fighters’ existing contracts, asking reporters to point to an example in the organization’s 25-year history where it had done so. He said he has always had good dealings with Don King.
The bout is the co-feature of the Ryan Garcia-Conor Benn WBC welterweight championship fight in Las Vegas on Saturday.
The Don King Productions letter
Don King Productions sent the letter to TKO Group Holdings and Zuffa Boxing this week, characterizing the promotion of the bout as outrageous and a clear case of tortious interference with its agreement with the fighter. A copy was obtained . It was addressed to TKO Group Holdings senior vice president and associate general counsel Isabelle Mercer.
The letter demanded that Zuffa immediately cancel the bout and announce the cancellation in the media. With four days remaining until Saturday’s card, what the promoter intends to do next was not publicly announced.
The legal question
The dispute turns on whether the promoter holds an exclusive promotional agreement with Mikaelian that would prevent him from competing under Zuffa Boxing’s banner. White’s response, while combative in tone, amounts to a denial that any valid exclusive agreement exists or that Zuffa knowingly interfered with one.
Tortious interference is a civil claim that requires showing a valid contract, knowledge of that contract by the interfering party, and intentional interference causing damage. If the promoter has a valid exclusive promotional contract and can demonstrate the elements of the claim, it could seek damages in court. The cease and desist letter is a precursor to litigation, not litigation itself.
Mikaelian’s record and standing
Mikaelian, of Armenia, is 28-3 with 12 knockouts and is a two-time WBC cruiserweight champion. His placement as the Opetaia opponent in a co-main event role on a card of this size represents a meaningful step up in the exposure that Zuffa Boxing is providing him.
Whether the fight proceeds as planned depends on whether the promoter files for an emergency injunction before Saturday and whether any court grants one on the timeline available. White’s public posture suggests the company intends to proceed.
