Zuffa Boxing intends to move forward with a cruiserweight matchup between Jai Opetaia and Noel Mikaelian on Saturday, despite a cease and desist letter from Don King Productions alleging it holds exclusive promoting rights on Mikaelian's career.
The cruiserweight bout is slated as the co-feature of the Ryan Garcia-Conor Benn WBC welterweight championship fight in Las Vegas. This week, Don King Productions sent a cease and desist letter to TKO Group Holdings and Zuffa Boxing classifying their promotion of the bout as "outrageous and a clear tortious interference with DKP's agreement."
On Tuesday, Zuffa Boxing and UFC CEO Dana White said Mikaelian would compete as planned Saturday.
"He's fighting this weekend," White told reporters at Contender Series in Las Vegas. "If you look at us over the last 25 years, and now that we're in boxing -- this f---ing sport is the most unsophisticated sport I have ever seen in my life, it's f---ed up for a reason. I've always had good dealings with Don. When have you ever seen a scenario with us where we go and try to interfere with someone's contract? We don't do it."
With four days until the fight, Don King Productions' next move is unknown.
The cease and desist letter, a copy of which was obtained by ESPN, stated Zuffa must "immediately cancel the bout between Mikaelian and Opetaia and announce such cancellation in the media immediately." It was sent to TKO Group Holdings senior vice president and associate general counsel Isabelle Mercer.
Mikaelian (28-3, 12 KOs), of Armenia, is a two-time WBC cruiserweight champion.
