Boxing Litigation: Richie Boy Sues Cloud, King

Richie Boy Promotions filed a lawsuit this past Tuesday (April 19, 2011) in the 11th District Judicial Circuit Court in Miami against International Boxing Federation Light Heavyweight Champion Tavoris Cloud, as well as his promoter, Don King Productions, and head trainer, Al Bonanni.

Richie Boy Promotions acquired contractual rights for Cloud from his original promoter, 8 Count Productions, in February, 2009 and then soon hired Bonanni, who had previously worked for Don King Productions (“DKP”), to run its boxing business and serve as Cloud’s head trainer. Cloud captured the IBF light heavyweight title on August 28, 2009 via a unanimous 12-round decision against Clinton Woods in a bout promoted by Richie Boy.

As Cloud’s promoter, Richie Boy Promotions negotiated and entered into an agreement for Cloud’s first title defense against mandatory challenger Glen Johnson, which was scheduled to take place April 10, 2010. During this negotiation period, however, Richie Boy Promotions terminated Bonanni, who then introduced Cloud to his former employer, Don King. DKP signed Cloud to another promotional contract despite knowing about Cloud’s exclusive promotional contract with Richie Boy Promotions.

Richie Boy alleges that Cloud breached his contract with Richie Boy Promotions by entering into another promotional contract with DKP as well as participating in his August 7, 2010 title fight against Johnson, which Cloud won via 12-round unanimous decision. Cloud (22-0, 18 KOs) defeated Fulgencio Zuniga by 12-round decision last December, and he now has a mandatory defense pending against IBF #1 contender Yusaf Mack.

Complaints filed in the aforementioned lawsuit by Richie Boy Promotions against the three defendants include Breach of Contract (Cloud), Unjust Enrichment (DKP), Tortious Interference with Contract (DKP and Bonanni), Tortious Interference with Business Relationships (DKP and Bonanni, Fraudulent Misrepresentation (Bonanni), and Breach of Fudicuary Duty (Bonanni).

Richie Boy Promotions has demanded a jury trial and judgment for monetary damages, and awarding such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.