MTK Global confirm ceasing of operations following sanctioning of co-founder Daniel Kinahan

Boxing and mixed martial arts management agency, MTK Global have confirmed they will cease operations at the end of this month, citing “unfair scrutiny” and “criticizm” amid the sanctioning of their co-founder, reputed cartel leader and drugs baron, Daniel Kinahan by the United States Department of the Treasury last week. 

The management firm, which was founded by Daniel Kinahan in 2012 alongside co-founder, former professional boxer, Matthew Macklin confirmed in an official statement this Wednesday afternoon that they are officially ceasing operations at the end of this month.

“As a business, we have faced unprecedented levels of unfair scrutiny and criticism since the sanctioning by the US Government of Daniel Joseph Kinahan,” the official MTK Global statement read.

“It is 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. Our priority in the weeks ahead will be to ensure that our 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 fans who have supported us over the last decade.”

Last week at Dublin City Hall, the United States Department of the Treasury and the Office of Foreign Assets Control confirmed in a press conference that sanctions had been imposed against Daniel Kinahan, his father, Christopher Kinahan Sr., and his brother, Christopher Kinahan Jr. – and a bounty of up to $5,000,000 had been placed on each for information which would lead to the financial disruption of the transnational Kinahan Organized Crime Group (KOCG), as well as information leading to their arrest and conviction.

In 2018, the Irish High Court heard how Daniel Kinahan was the manager and controller of the Kinahan Organized Crime Group. 

Ross Markey

Senior writer for FightBook MMA. An aspiring mixed martial arts reporter based in Ireland. Producer of news articles, interviews, opinion features, and exclusive features such as, ‘The Fallout’, ‘The Breakdown, and, ‘This Week In MMA’.