BBC Panorama - "Boxing and the Mob"

[handsofstone]

Not surprising in the slightest, he'll not be the only one, bet Warren is banned as well or I'm sure he would've been at Dubois last week

[maverick23]

It's been reported Fury has been refused from America.

Not surprised. Hopefully he’s able to get it worked out. I wonder how many others have been affected. Josh Taylor? Frank W (he said he didn’t go over as planned for the Dubois fight due to a bad back)? Eddie Hearn even?

[MightyWarrior]

Not surprising in the slightest, he'll not be the only one, bet Warren is banned as well or I'm sure he would've been at Dubois last week

yep that’s what they’re saying …allegedly

[Blueprint]

[Stevieaber]

Father, son and uncle all banned from America. Makes ya proud eh?

[dookus]

I guess he'll be selling that pile of his in Vegas then

[Ruthless-RKO]

Josh Taylor: No Relationship With Daniel Kinahan, I Now Manage Myself

"I haven't got a relationship with Daniel any more," Taylor said to BBC Scotland. "MTK is no more, so everything is sort of out the window.

"I now manage myself, moving on with a lawyer doing all my contract and management work. Moving forward with Top Rank (his promotor), so yeah, that's it.

"I'm not really clued up with any of the stuff that was going on. Obviously the stuff that has come to light has been pretty serious, but no, I'm focusing on boxing and it's nothing to do with me."

[TheLeprechaun]

I don't think the US authorities will forget the previous messages of support for Kinahan.

[Ruthless-RKO]

MTK Global: Boxers exploited by Kinahan gang, officer says

Many boxers have been exploited and preyed upon by the Kinahan organised crime group, a senior officer has said.

The US recently imposed sanctions on the gang's leaders and banned hundreds of people with suspected connections to the cartel from entering the country.

A number of prominent boxers from Northern Ireland were formerly associated with the MTK boxing management company, which was co-founded by Daniel Kinahan.

The boxers had no involvement in crime.

Speaking to BBC News NI, Assistant Garda Commissioner John O'Driscoll said the United States shares information with the Irish authorities about some people who are banned from entering the US.

"That is a matter for the US authorities and we would not necessarily know all of the people who are refused entry in such circumstances. But, where it would be relevant to us, and where it may assist us in our investigations, that information is shared by the US authorities," he explained.

Shortly after the US sanctions and reward were announced, MTK announced that it was closing down.

For years, the company was involved with some of the best boxers in the world, including some high profile boxers from Northern Ireland - Carl Frampton, Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlon.

Carl Frampton and Paddy Barnes had retired, and Michael Conlon had disassociated himself from MTK, before it ceased operations.

These boxers had no involvement with crime.

BBC News NI asked Assistant Commissioner O'Driscoll if any boxers - who were associated with MTK in the past - could be among the 600 people who've been banned from entering the US.

He responded: "It is a matter for interaction between a particular individual and the US authorities as they attempt to enter the US. But, from my knowledge, if they can assure the US authorities that they have disassociated themselves from people or entities that are problematic, that the prospect is there that they will be allowed entry to the US into the future."

'Preyed upon'

The senior officer, who has been to the forefront of the international efforts to bring down the Kinahan cartel, believes the gang took advantage of many boxers from Northern Ireland and elsewhere.

"We see many people who are involved in boxing, in particular young people, being exploited by that organised crime group," he outlined.

"These are people who have, maybe, dedicated their life to pursuing a career in boxing, and who have no knowledge of the activities of the Kinahan organised crime group, but have been preyed upon by them and find themselves in circumstances that were not of their own making and they are people that we are attempting to protect also, in targeting the criminal activity engaged in by the Kinahan organised crime group."

Commenting on the continuing international efforts against the gang leaders and their assets, the Dublin-based assistant commissioner said there was an important cross-border dimension to the operation.

"Northern Ireland features from a number of perspectives. Firstly, it may feature in the drug trafficking route involved. So, while cocaine obviously, imported into Ireland by the Kinahan organised crime group, will in some cases be destined for Ireland, on other occasions it'll be destined for the UK, and the route which it will take may include transportation through Northern Ireland," he explained.

"Or indeed, it may in some cases be intended to supply a demand for that drug in that part of the UK also."

He added: "Movement takes place on a regular basis among those who are involved in the criminal organisations concerned.

"So, you may find movement that is temporary in nature. On occasions, people may stay somewhat longer. But, all of those movements are subject to ongoing monitoring in the relevant jurisdictions."

[Blueprint]

Tyson stopped from boarding flight to USA again.

[mickey1975]

Tyson stopped from boarding flight to USA again.

Not true.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Tyson stopped from boarding flight to USA again.

Not true.

He probably got it from Sun.

[Blueprint]

Tyson should sue the sun or get the article taken down if it's not true

[maverick23]

Tyson stopped from boarding flight to USA again.

Not true.

What is the truth on it?

[mickey1975]

As far as I know he was on the infamous Wolverhampton leg of his tour.

[maverick23]

Must be frustrating for the only way to find out if you can get in to the US is by booking a flight and trying to get on it.

Whether he’s been turned away once or twice it can’t be helping he decision on what to do next…whether it was WWE or something else.

[maverick23]

Thinking about it, it wouldn’t actually surprise me if Tyson booked a flight to the US just to see if he could get through security with no intention to actually take the flight.

Most of the reports imply that the only way to find out if you’re banned is to try and fly there and see if you’re rejected so perhaps Tyson just wanted to check if he still was. I’d imagine he’d want to be over there for Tommy in 6 weeks time.

[rob h]

Wouldn't the issue be more at the other end though? Can't imagine them policing it as much this side.

[Dioufy]

Wouldn't the issue be more at the other end though? Can't imagine them policing it as much this side.

They do I believe. I’m sure I read that they have US border operators at UK airports.

I know this as I was arrested when younger and wanted to research whether I’d be allowed into the States for my own wedding!

[rob h]

Ah, he's buggered then!

[TheLeprechaun]

They will just have a big database that everyones name and passport details have to go through before getting in. Certain names will trigger a red flag and border agents will take a closer look. I'm pretty sure they are using facial recognition too.

[coneye]

They will just have a big database that everyones name and passport details have to go through before getting in. Certain names will trigger a red flag and border agents will take a closer look. I'm pretty sure they are using facial recognition too.

Correct , Does'nt matter where i've travelled over the past 20 25 years or so , the UK , states ,spain , Asia anywhere , i have ALWAYS got pulled over EVERY TIME , took to one side questioned couple times searched , no internals thank god but it was a standing joke with my familly , we'll wait outside they would say ,, ANWAY GOT TALKING TO AN fbi AGENT ON HOLIDAY WHEN IN nEW oRLEANS , i asked him jokinly why it alwaays happens and he said simple , your name is being flagged , he explained that a country man of yours he said has been a very naughty fella somewhere , and your same name must be showing up same country of birth or residence , and its flagging the authorities ,, he said i should approach federal police at home and question it ,, but in honesty i never did could'nt be bothered because it was'nt a real big drama anyway , and besides doubt i'll ever go overseas again anyway

[Coco]

My dad always gets pulled, apparently John Smith is a red flag name.

I'm sure it would be the same for Muslim names.

I got pulled at Heathrow once, from the states, via Amsterdam.

They were all set to take me to a private room for a search when they realised Amsterdam was only a connection, they apologised and sent me on my way.

I'm guessing Amsterdam was the issue!

[margaret thatcher]

why so little talk of sexy sandy vaughn?

[Ruthless-RKO]

COURT BATTLE | Boxing promoter Bob Arum named as ‘witness’ in Daniel Kinahan racketeering case

A TRIAL examining claims cartel boss Daniel Kinahan used drug-trafficking earnings to fund boxing agency MTK is now expected to take place in the US in March of 2024.
The Sunday World can also reveal that among those scheduled to be called to give evidence before the court in California are Kinahan’s former business associate and Top Rank boss Bob Arum, former MTK CEO Bob Yalen, boxer JoJo Diaz and Kinahan himself.

Lawyers for boxing manager Moses Heredia, who is suing Kinahan and the now defunct MTK over the alleged illegal poaching of Diaz, submitted a 17-page file to the court.

The documents, which included the list of witnesses that will be called by Heredia’s team, also detail how it is expected the high-profile trial will take between seven and 10 days to be heard.

The documents further state that talks previously took place in a bid to settle the case but were unsuccessful – and that MTK and Kinahan have yet to appoint legal teams in the case having parted company with their previous legal representatives.

Four of the nine causes of action listed by Heredia’s lawyers relate to Daniel Kinahan’s activities as a cartel boss – including that he “acquired an interest in an enterprise or established its operation using income acquired through a pattern of racketeering activity.”

Another allegation relating to his criminality is that he conspired to violate the ‘RICO’ act – a US federal statute that specifically targets organised crime and white-collar crime.

The remaining causes of action relate to the alleged poaching of Diaz from Moses Heredia’s stable of boxers by MTK.

Citing ‘unusual legal issues’ in the case, the papers submit that Kinahan has been sanctioned as a ‘specially designated person’ (SDN) by the US Government and is the “subject of a US$5 million reward from the US State Department for information leading to his arrest and or conviction”.

“Although he is in hiding,” the document continues, “Heredia’s counsel is confident that he will be served in this matter.”

The Heredia legal team also note that although “as an SDN, all Kinahan’s property and interests in property in the US must be blocked or reported to the Office of Foreign Assets Control, counsel believes that this may slow not prevent seizure of his assets.”

Heredia’s decision to call Top Rank boss Bob Arum as a witness in the case is not surprising, given the fact that legendary fight promoter has repeatedly spoken publicly about his business relationship with Kinahan – stating at one point he had paid the mob-boss €4 million for his role in organising fights involving Tyson Fury.

In April of this year, Arum told Yahoo Sports he paid the money to Kinahan ahead of two of Fury’s fights against Deontay Wilder and bouts against Tom Schwarz and Otto Wallin.

Arum revealed how Kinahan opened up to him about doing ‘bad things’ and said that Dublin-born mobster was hoping to get out of ‘that other stuff’. “Kinahan called me and we had a long conversation.

He has kids and he said he wanted to get out of that other stuff. “He said to me, ‘Bob, I’ve done some bad things in my life. I admit that. But I’m not involved with that anymore’.”

But Arum continued: “There came a time that we discovered that he might still have been involved in some nefarious activities. That was enough for us.”

Similarly, Bob Yalen’s inclusion on the witness list is unsurprising.

Yalen retired as CEO of MTK Global in April - a week after US law enforcement announced they had placed Daniel Kinahan – as well as his father Christy and brother Christopher Jnr – on a financial sanctions list.

At the time, Yalen, who was appointed CEO of MTK Global in 2018, said “I am incredibly proud of the success of MTK Global and I feel privileged to have served as president and CEO since 2018.”

“However, the pressure of the last few weeks has been particularly intense. “I need to consider the impact on myself and my family. So, after four years leading MTK, I think it’s time for me to step aside to take on new challenges.”

Outlining the damages being sought by Moses Heredia, his legal team said he was seeking compensatory and punitive damages as well as the recovery of his legal fees.

"The realistic range of provable damages will be based on loss of income and reputational damages suffered by Heredia,” the papers state.

“The RICO violations authorise treble damages which (Heredia) will vigorously pursue.”

In their submission, Heredia’s legal team also request a trial before a jury with a start date of March 4th, 2024.