Pacquiao manager sues Mayweather promoter, claims he tried to keep Jay Z out of boxing

02 July 2015 - 15:49 By Times LIVE
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
(L-R): CEO of Mayweather Promotions Leonard Ellerbe, WBC/WBA welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, and Top Rank Founder and CEO Bob Arum pose during a news conference at the KA Theatre at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on April 29, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather and Pacquiao will face each other in a unification bout on May 2, 2015 in Las Vegas.
(L-R): CEO of Mayweather Promotions Leonard Ellerbe, WBC/WBA welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, and Top Rank Founder and CEO Bob Arum pose during a news conference at the KA Theatre at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on April 29, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather and Pacquiao will face each other in a unification bout on May 2, 2015 in Las Vegas.
Image: AFP PHOTO / JOHN GURZINSKI

Manny Pacquiao’s manager Bob Arum has filed a $100 million law suit against Floyd Mayweather’s promoter Al Haymon, claiming the promoter is “rigging” and “monopolising” the boxing industry.

According to a lawsuit obtained by TMZ, Arum, thorough his promotions company Top Rank, claims Haymon has been using unsavoury tactics to monopolise the boxing industry, including illegally blocking fights, blocking venues and freezing out other promoters, including Top Rank and Jay Z's Roc Nation Sports company.

Top Rank claims Haymon is doing this by leveraging his impressive client list (which includes Mayweather, Adrian Broner, Danny Garcia and more) to monopolise the boxing industry.

“For example, Top Rank claims Haymon cajoled one of his fighters, Peter Quillin, to turn down a $1.4 million payday  in 2014 (the biggest payday of his career) because Jay Z had won the right to promote the fight and Haymon didn't want to let Roc Nation get his foot into the boxing game."

According to New York Daily News, Haymon is doing this with an eye towards the long term.

"Once Haymon obtains monopoly power in the market for promoting professional matches, he will recoup the losses by charging exorbitant prices to broadcasters, sponsors, and consumers," the suit alleges.

Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions had filed a similar suit against Haymon in May, and in April the Association of Boxing Commissions sent a letter to US Attorney General Loretta Lynch requesting that she look into his business tactics.

"Those like Bob and myself who have spent the bulk of their lives around boxing understand that the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act is a crucial piece of legislation that serves to protect boxers and enhance the sport. Golden Boy Promotions will continue to push forward with our own lawsuit to ensure our wonderful sport continues to grow in a competitive, just manner," De La Hoya said on his Facebook page.

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now