The legal drama between Don King Productions (DKP) and heavyweight Michael Hunter (24-1-2, 17 KOs) continues as details emerge rebutting the statement made by Hunter’s lawyer over the weekend.
A few weeks ago, rumors began to swirl that Hunter would be facing Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (26-1-2, 22 KOs) in a fight that would tentatively land on the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford fight card scheduled for September 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV, on Netflix. On Sunday, via The Ring social media accounts, the Hunter-Miller fight was announced for the Canelo-Crawford fight week (September 11), which quickly got a big response from boxing fans.
The Ring has confirmed that a cracking heavyweight showdown has been finalized between top contenders Jarrell Miller and Michael Hunter.
The fight will headline an event on September 11 in Las Vegas as part of the MASSIVE Canelo vs. Crawford fight week. pic.twitter.com/wVZJLGU7ED
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) August 10, 2025
Following the announcement, DKP issued a press release, stating that a “cease & desist” order had been sent to SELA and TKO Group Holdings, Inc., as Hunter had a legal and binding contract with Hunter. Also in the press release, DKP added that they won the purse bid to promote the WBA heavyweight championship fight between Hunter and the champion Kubrat Pulev (32-3, 14 KOs).
A day later, Hunter posted a letter on social media from his legal representative, CMESCS out of Las Vegas, NV, stating the following:
Michael Hunter, Boxer, (hereinafter MHB) hereby provides formal notice of the dissolution of any and all existing agreements or contracts with Don King Productions Inc. (hereinafter DKP), for material “breach”, whether implied or express. As of the April 27th 2025, Michael Hunter via DKP’s assent by “non-response” to certain legal correspondence, was no longer legally bound by any contractual terms that may have existed between the parties.
On May 14th 2025, the World Boxing Association, World Championship Committee formally noticed the Pulev-Hunter Bout for May 27th, 2025 for Purse Bid. DKP was awarded the $1,000,000.00 Purse Bid. MHB did submit a bout agreement set fourth by DKP, however, also “redlined” or “struck” certain terms MHB considered to be “Draconian and Unacceptable”. DKP accepted that particular Bout Agreement.
NOTICE OF NO CONTRACT
This Notice is to affirm that no binding agreement, contract, or obligation currently exists between MHB and any other party regarding the subject matter in question. This Notice serves to clarify that any perceived or alleged agreement is null, void, and without legal effect.
DECLARATION OF FREE AGENCY
MHB does hereby declare and affirm that MHB acts in full autonomy, not under contract, obligation, or control by any third party, agency, or entity. MHB does reserve all legal rights to engage or disengage in contractual relationships as MHB may choose, and this Declaration is made under the laws of the State of Nevada.
NOTICE OF WARRANTY OF FREE AGENCY
MHB affirms and warrants that they are a free agent and not bound by any prior or existing contract, obligation, or agency relationship that would prevent them from entering into new agreements or obligations. This declaration is made under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Nevada. NOTICE OF INDEMNITY MHB hereby INDEMNIFIES any and all Boxing Promoters current and future against subjected legal challenges and subsequent costs brought about by DKP and DKP affiliates.
Don King Fires Back
FightsATW reached out to BZA PR, who handles DKP’s public relations matters, and they replied with the following via a press release: “The world’s greatest boxing promoter the legendary Don King has announced a new date and location for the WBA Heavyweight World Championship featuring current champion Kubrat “The Cobra” Pulev to face off against No. 1-ranked WBA contender Michael “The Bounty” Hunter.
The exciting night of fights will take place on October 4 at Miami’s Jai-Alai Fronton Casino, King has announced, despite the threats of a lawsuit by Epic Sports and Entertainment representatives who King says continue to spread lies that Hunter is unavailable for this fight.
King, who in the spring won the $1.1 million purse bid by the WBA to stage the fight originally scheduled for August 23rd, said he still has a binding three-year contract with Hunter that was signed in February of 2024 and then was victorious in two consecutive appeals to the WBA by Epic Sports and Entertainment to prevent the fight from happening.
“The threats of lawsuits continues against the WBA by Epic Sports and Entertainment,” King said in a statement. “It’s all corruption, fraud, bribery, rigged schemes and crooked scams by Epic Sports appealing to the WBA for reconsideration of the WBA purse bid, for Pulev vs Hunter, which DKP won. Now, Epic Sports is trying to change and to nullify the bout. This clouds the atmosphere with lies and the deception of the truth, fake and false news.”
King continued: “The WBA honorably stood up for their rules and regulations and declared the purse bid valid and legitimate, as held, then Epic Sports and the WBA champion Kubrat Pulev made an appeal to change the meaning of the WBA rules and regulations…The WBA honorably denied the champion Kubrat Pulev and Epic Sports, then Epic Sports rewrote the purse bid contracts just as though they had won the purse bid, and asked the WBA to dishonorably and illegally grant their appeal.”
King said now that the WBA has made its decision to uphold the purse bid decision regarding Kubrat Pulev, that, upon approval by the WBA, he has announced the October 4th date and Miami location for this fantastic heavyweight championship title bout to take place.
“However, John Wirt never stops in trying to prevent the bout, for the No. 1 contender Michael Hunter, not to fight. Now Epic Sports John Wirt and Ivaylo Gotzev are filing a lawsuit for the arbitrations against the WBA’s decisions of justice and fair play against their Epic Sports and Entertainment Company.
“However, DKP will not wait for that decision to come about. DKP will stand up and support the WBA’s honor and credibility in their decision for fair play and justice regarding the WBA purse bid situation. The credibility of the WBA is at stake.”
With the proposed fight between Hunter and Miller a month away, this back-and-forth doesn’t appear to be going away any time soon. When the dust settles, we will likely not get the fight on September 11, and this matter will be dragged into court. Unfortunately, this is the “boxing business” and sometimes the “business” comes before the “boxing”.
FightsATW will continue to monitor this story as it develops.
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