Could a lawsuit filed earlier Wednesday by Mikkel Kessler’s management team, International Entertainment Aps (IEA) against Showtime Network for tortuous interference with a contract undermine the entire Super Six World Boxing Classic which got under way last Saturday?
The suit was filed Wednesday in New York City by lawyers for Mogens Palle of Denmark.
I’m sure HBO offered to cover legal fees! I’m just kidding, relax.
I’m not a real legal mind, but what I gather is that Mogens Palle, Kessler’s longtime promoter, wants us to believe he was not involved with the negotiations that have Kessler, the favorite and current WBA Super Middleweight Champion, fighting Andre Ward in Oakland, CA November 21 in his first round of action. Palle contends he was entitled to be in on the negotiations on behalf of Kessler.
Specifically that Showtime got Kessler to breach his deal with Palle, and negotiate through a third party, Sauerland Event (Sauerland Event also promotes Arthur Abraham.) Abraham, also in the tournament, knocked out American Jermain Taylor Saturday in Berlin.
Rumors are that Showtime tried to negotiate with Palle early on, but found it too difficult to do, but it knew Kessler was the key to the entire tournament.
So the other promoters including Americans Gary Shaw, Dan Goossen, and Lou DiBella knew what was going on when Sauerland Event was negotiating on behalf of Kessler and Abraham. Making them unindicted co-conspirators in this mess.
Lets assume Showtime knew this lawsuit was coming and believes it will will be thrown out or they are already in so deep they will have to pay a hefty out of court settlement to Palle, which is probably all he’s looking for.
If Showtime only makes a couple of trips to the courthouse in this ambitious 18 month tournament I would consider it a moral victory.
If this is just a one-time shakedown by an old has been promoter who can’t see what Showtime and the younger promoters are trying to develop, pay’em off and move on I say.
