Flyweight world boxing champ Sunny Edwards says Daniel Kinahan is 'legitimate businessman'

IBF Flyweight world champion Sunny Edwards, who is managed by MTK which Kinahan set up, is the latest boxer to come out in defence of the cartel boss who is heavily involved in the sport.

The British boxer took to Twitter to defend Kinahan after someone asked about Kinahan's “coke and heroin money”.

“Daniel is a legitimate businessman and a man who has also never paid me a penny. True story,” Edwards replied.

Edwards has been undefeated in 16 fights since making his boxing debut in Estepona on the Costa del Sol in 2016.

He has won various titles including the WBO European Super-flyweight title, the WBO International super-flyweight title.

He is set to defend the IBF flyweight title in Dubai in December.

Earlier this year Edwards thanks Kinahan for his help ahead of another defence of the title.

“Thank you to my adviser Daniel Kinahan, my management MTK & my promoter Frank Warren for the opportunity, he said.

He previously described Kinahan as a “friend and adviser”.

“He’s just someone I can call to have a conversation with,” he said.

Kinahan, described in the Irish High Court as the leader of the Kinahan organised crime group, was the prime target of the Regency Hotel murder during a boxing weigh-in five years ago.

The 43-year-old helped launch the boxing agency now known as MTK Global in 2012. The company claimed it cut its ties with Kinahan in 2017 but the gang boss remains heavily involved in boxing and is regularly thanked by MTK boxers.

MTK later admitted Kinahan was still involved with their boxers.

“It is true that Mr Kinahan provides some personal advice to a number of boxers managed by MTK Global and we are instructed that Mr Kinahan also provides such advisory services to boxers who are managed by other worldwide boxing management companies too.”

Kinahan advises WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and helped negotiate a deal for a clash between Fury and Anthony Joshua.

Fury sparked controversy when he thanked Kinahan for arranging the fight.

The fight was put on hold earlier this year and it is unclear when or if it will take place.