Don King Sends Cease-and-Desist Letter To Zuffa Boxing, Dana White Responds

Don King is attempting to block Zuffa Boxing’s September 12 bout between WBC Cruiserweight Champion Noel Mikaelian (28-3, 12 KOs) and Jai Opetaia (30-0, 23 KOs), as the 95-year-old promoter sent TKO Group Holdings a cease-and-desist letter demanding cancellation of the fight.

Mikaelian is scheduled to face IBF champion Opetaia in the co-main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn fight in the main event.

King’s promotional company claims it holds the exclusive rights to Mikaelian’s professional boxing services and hasn’t authorized him to fight under Zuffa’s banner. King’s attorney accused Zuffa and TKO of interfering with that agreement, despite being aware of Mikaelian’s existing promotional relationship.

Mikaelian argued his agreement with King allows him to pursue other opportunities, however King’s legal team disputes that interpretation and has demanded Zuffa cancel the Opetaia fight and cease further business dealings with Mikaelian without its consent.

UFC CEO and Zuffa Boxing founder Dana White said he has a good relationship with King and has denied interfering with Mikaelian’s contract, adding that Mikaelian will be fighting this weekend as planned.

“He’s fighting this weekend,” White said. “Have you ever seen a scenario where we go and try to interfere with somebody’s contract? We don’t do it.”