Daniel Kinahan, the alleged leader of one of Ireland's biggest criminal networks and a founder of boxing management company MTK Global, has been arrested in Dubai, Irish media and ESPN reported Friday. A few years back, Kinahan was a dominant, but behind-the-scenes power broker in boxing, allegedly laundering money from his drug- and criminal-related businesses through MTK. Kinahan gave an infusion of energy and money into the sport but sparked a moral debate among fans.
PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE
APRIL 20, 2022: MTK Global, the leading boxing management firm, has imploded under the scrutiny of the United States government of MTK's reputed leader, Daniel Kinahan. Last week, the U.S. offered a $5 million reward for information leading to Kinahan's arrest, and declared Kinahan's operations to be a transnational criminal organizations. The ramifications of that declaration made it too risky to do do business with MTK, which led to today's announcement that MTK Global will cease operations. MTK's website has already been taken down from the Internet. Here is the full announcement: "As a business we have faced unprecedented levels of unfair scrutiny and criticism since the sanctioning by the United States government of Daniel Joseph Kinahan. It’s a matter of public record that Mr. Kinahan's involvement in MTK ceased in 2017, and despite repeated reassurances in this regard, unfounded allegations about his ongoing association with us and our fighters persist. Since leading promoters have now informed us that they will be severing all ties with MTK and will no longer work with our fighters, we have taken the difficult decision to cease operations at the end of this month. MTK prospered because we always put the long-term interests of our fighters at the heart of what we do. A priority in the weeks ahead will be to ensure that a world-class boxers are supported to find new partnerships as swiftly as possible. MTK gyms are operated independently so will remain open for the foreseeable future. Further announcements will be made in due course. Thank you to all the fans who have supported us over the last decade."
Yesterday, MTK's CEO Bob Yalen abruptlyresigned, with MTK issuing the following statement: "We regret to announce that Bob Yalen has today stepped down as CEO of MTK Global for personal reasons. We would like to thank him for all of his efforts on behalf of the business and his leadership of our team. Yalen said: “I am incredibly proud of the success of MTK Global and I feel privileged to have served as President and CEO since 2018. However, the pressure of the last few weeks has been particularly intense. I need to consider the impact on myself and my family. So after four years leading MTK, I think it’s time for me to step aside to take on new challenges.”
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April 13, 2022 Press Release from U.S. Department of State: The U.S. Department of State announced rewards of up to $5 million for information leading to each of the arrests and/or convictions of Irish transnational organized criminal Christopher Vincent Kinahan and his two sons, Daniel Joseph Kinahan and Christopher Kinahan, Jr., for participating in, or conspiring to participate in, transnational organized crime. After initially distributing South American cocaine and heroin in Ireland, the Kinahans later expanded their narcotics trafficking organization to include the United Kingdom and then throughout mainland Europe. In addition to narcotics trafficking, the Kinahans have engaged in money laundering, firearms trafficking, and murder." EDITOR'S NOTE: Daniel Kinahan is widely reported to be a key figure in MTK Global, the boxing management organization, as well as an advisor to WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
