Don King attempts to squelch Makabu-Cieslak title fight
Not so fast, says Don King.
A law firm representing Don King Promotions has sent a cease and desist letter to WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman in an effort to kill a cruiserweight title fight between Ilunga Makabu and Michal Cieslak, which is tentatively scheduled for later this month.
King claims Makabu is under contract with his company.
The letter reads in part:
“DKP is Makabu’s exclusive, world-wide promoter for any and all of Makabu’s professional boxing matches throughout the World and no one, other than DKP, is authorized to engage Makabu’s services.
“Demand is made upon the WBC to cancel the Makabu v. Cieslak bout and to make such cancellation public by noticing said cancellation on the WBC’s website. Since the WBC sanctioned this bout without DKP’s knowledge, DKP must conclude that the WBC communicated with others to arrange this bout so demand is made upon the WBC to immediately notify the person or persons the WBC communicated with in arranging this bout and inform them that the WBC is not sanctioning the Makabu v. Cieslak bout and that the bout is immediately cancelled.
“DKP further demands the WBC and others immediately cease and desist any and all actions or communications of any kind with Makabu. DKP has not and does not consent to Makabu’s participation in the Makabu v. Cieslak bout or any bout and has not and does not grant permission for anyone to engage Makabu’s services.
“Please be assured that we take this matter very seriously and intend to protect DKP’s rights. DKP demands that the WBC take the steps requested in this letter on or before Saturday, January 4, 2020 to cancel the Makabu v. Cieslak bout, pull the WBC’s sanctioning of the bout and to cease and desist any and all communications with any person, persons or entities, other than DKP, regarding Makabu and to confirm to the undersigned attorney by email … that you have received this letter and that you shall promptly comply with its demands.”
DKP has not indicated whether the WBC has responded to the letter.
The fight reportedly is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 25 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Makabu’s native country.
Makabu and Cieslak are ranked Nos. 1 and 2 by the WBC, respectively.