WBN Exclusive: Don King dispute means Cleverly v Coyne won’t happen

Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor

‘Irish Outlaw’ opens up to WBN

Undefeated light-heavyweight contender Ryan Coyne has exclusively revealed to WBN that his fight with WBO title holder Nathan Cleverly is highly unlikely to happen due to action taken by his ex-promoter Don King.

The 30 year-old southpaw has been announced as the Welshman’s fourth title defence for the last few weeks, but has now revealed that his one-time promote King is threatening legal action towards the fight agreement.

The contest was pencilled in on the undercard of Golden Boy’s massive headline card featuring Abner Mares and Anselmo Moreno and Coyne is distraught that the opportunity may have now been taken away from him.

“I am sorry to toss a monkey wrench in things, but my fight with Nathan Cleverly is not going to happen,” Coyne told World Boxing News. “This is purely because of the spite of an evil zealot named Don King.

“I personally am 100% ready to go forward with this fight and I can’t wait to oppose Nathan Cleverly next month, but Don threatened the WBO and Frank Warren with a lawsuit and that seems to be that.

“In my eyes, my contract with him expired, but he is now claiming an extension and due to his threats to great promoters like Frank Warren and Golden Boy, it is a dreadful situation that has cost me dearly.”

It now remains to be seen whether the high-profile fight can be salvaged or whether the Saint Louis boxer will be forced to giveway from his deserved shot at the 175lb world title at Don King’s expense.

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