by David P. Greisman

Heavyweight contender Bermane Stiverne has sued promoter Don King over what he alleges are violations of the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, according to reports by Courthouse News Service and Zach Arnold of FightOpinion.com.

The allegations date back to when Stiverne was meeting with King to sign for a June 2011 fight with Ray Austin, a bout that had been mandated by the World Boxing Council.

“When he arrived at the meeting, however, Stiverne was informed that he would not be permitted to sign the bout agreement with Austin unless he first signed an exclusive promotional agreement with DKP [Don King Productions],” Arnold quoted the lawsuit as saying.

“In fact, before they would present to Stiverne the bout agreement with Austin, Don King and DKP required that Stiverne sign three contracts at that meeting which related to either promoter or management services with Don King, DKP, Don King’s step-son Carl King, and Carl King’s company Elite Sports and Entertainment Management Inc.”

The lawsuit, as quoted by Arnold, goes on to argue that the Ali Act:

- “prohibits a promoter from requiring a boxer to sign an exclusive promotional agreement as a precondition to obtaining a bout agreement with another boxer signed by the same promoter.”

- “prohibits a promoter from requiring that a boxer grant it future promotional rights as a precondition for competing in a bout which is mandatory under the rules of a sanctioning organization.”

- “requires a firewall between promoters and managers [and] prohibits promoters from having a direct or indirect financial interest in the management of a boxer, and vice versa.”

The lawsuit also claims that the contracts granted Don King Productions 25 percent of the money he earned, and granted King and Don King Productions “an irrevocable power of attorney for up to 8 years” on matters such as agreements, receiving money, and the hiring and firing of Stiverne’s business managers.

Another 16 percent of his income would go to Carl King’s company.


Stiverne’s attorney argues that his client signed with King so as to get the bout with Austin, which could then lead to further bouts, including a fight with WBC titleholder Vitali Klitschko.

The lawsuit was filed earlier this month, according to online court records.

Pick up a copy of David’s new book, “Fighting Words: The Heart and Heartbreak of Boxing,” at http://bit.ly/fightingwordsamazon. Send questions/comments via email at fightingwords1@gmail.com