Northern Ireland boxer Carl Frampton has admitted that he has "no regrets" about his association with Daniel Kinahan's former promotional company, MTK Global.
MTK Global was a management and event promotions company in boxing and mixed martial arts, founded by Irish crime boss Kinahan and former professional boxer Matthew 'Mack the Knife' Macklin.
In 2022, Hoopoe Sports, based in the United Arab Emirates, listed five boxers as MTK's clients on its website: Paddy Barnes, Jamie Conlan, Michael Conlan, Hughie Fury, and Billy Joe Saunders.
Around the same time, Kinahan was sanctioned by the US Treasury for his alleged role in large-scale cocaine trafficking. The Kinahan gang also faced fresh sanctions and a $5 million (£3.8 million) bounty set by the US government.
Heavyweight boxing superstar Tyson Fury and other senior figures in boxing were warned to sever all ties with the alleged Irish crime family.
Retired boxing icon Frampton had already concluded his career when MTK, formerly recognised as MGM, disbanded. The management firm had been providing guidance to the Belfast boxer following his separation from Barry McGuigan in August 2017.
When asked about his feelings about his relationship with Daniel Kinahan's promotions company, the Belfast native explained why he signed with the company.
Leo Santa Cruz of Mexico (gold trunks) fights Carl Frampton of Northern Ireland (blue trunks) during their 12 round WBA Super featherweight championship bout at Barclays Center on July 30, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough in New York City. (Photo by Anthony Geathers/Getty Images)At the time, MTK was one of the biggest boxing management firms globally, collaborating with Matchroom, Top Rank, Queensberry, and other top promoters.
"They had fighters like Tyson Fury and Billy Joe Saunders, and I was looking for someone to look after me. I knew they had a lot of fighters, "Frampton told the BBC's Stephen Nolan
"That was the reason why I signed with them."
When asked if he ever met Kinahan during his time with MTK, Frampton claimed this wasn't the case. The former WBF, WBO, and IBF featherweight beltholder also asserted that he has no regrets about his links to the controversial company.
"If I am being honest, no. I have met him (Kinahan). I met him in Dubai, "he added.
"On a personal level, he was a nice guy. People can make their own minds up and have their own grievances, and that's okay, but MTK looked after me.
"Another thing people forget about is that MTK didn't pay me; they were my advisers. They got me deals with Top Rank and Frank Warren.
"They actually got me as a challenger for Josh Warrington and got me the biggest pay day of my career, which was £1.5 million. That was a massive pay day.
"They were able to secure that for me off Frank Warren. It helped with being secure for myself and my family for the rest of our lives.
"I don't have any regrets about my association with MTK."
