Knockout blow MTK boxing agency founded by Daniel Kinahan says it will 'comply fully' with US sanctions

THE boxing management company closely-linked with sanctioned crime boss Daniel Kinahan is claiming he has no links with the firm he founded.

In a statement posted on the firm’s website today MTK Global said it “will comply fully with the sanctions made by the US government against Daniel Kinahan.”

Their chief executive Bob Yalen is quoted saying: “MTK Global will take every measure to ensure the company, and those who deal with it are fully compliant with the US sanctions announced this week and take this matter extremely seriously.”

The statement added that MTK “parted ways with Mr Kinahan in February 2017. He has had no interest in the business since then and will have no future involvement with us.”

“MTK operates ethically, transparently and lawfully. We will cooperate fully with all authorities and assist with any ongoing investigations.”

Originally known as MGM, it was founded by Daniel Kinahan and boxer Matt Macklin, who is not involved in crime, based in Marbella.

Kinahan, along with six others are the subject of financial sanctions by the Department of Treasury which makes it illegal for anyone in the US to operate with them.

Officials described the Kinahan gang being worth €1 billion and as being involved in murder, international drug dealing and money laundering.

Another boxing promotion firm has also moved to distance itself from Daniel Kinahan.

In a statement on Wednesday night Probellum said it “takes the sanctions made by the US Treasury extremely seriously and the business and its employees will be fully compliant with them.”

“We have retained counsel in the US to ensure that we fully comply with all rules, regulations and requirements related to this matter, including not working with any individual or company that has been placed under US sanctions.”

“This includes Daniel Kinahan and we can confirm that we will not have any business relationship or communication with him whatsoever.”

“Bob Arum’s comments implying that Top Rank has ceased a business relationship with Probellum are baseless.”

“Top Rank is a competitor and since Probellum’s inception, Top Rank has never worked directly with us. Any suggestions that Daniel Kinahan is a shareholder or owner of Probellum are false and defamatory.

Boxing promoter Bob Arum said yesterday “we’re looking to cut whatever ties we have with MTK” following the announcement of the sanctions in Dublin this week.

As spokesperson for fighter Michael Conlan yesterday told the Sunday World, he has no links with MTK and was unaware his image was used on the firm’s website.

In recent court filings in the United States MTK denied it is a front for a 'European drug cartel' in a case over the alleged poaching of boxer JoJo Diaz.

MTK Global also denied it was correctly served a court summons in the United Arab Emirates by rival promoter Moses Heredia and furthermore described allegations it is a corrupt organisation involved in money-laundering as 'wild".

Two firms were also including in the sanctions list, Hoopoe Sports, is run by Kinahan cousin Ian Dixon, and Nero Drinks Company Ltd based in Glasgow, London and Mijas, Spain.