It was staggering to witness the change in tone between Ireland and the UK regarding Daniel Kinahan's role in making Fury-Joshua something resembling a reality. When he was mentioned at all, Kinahan was described as a 'controversial businessman' and a 'sometimes controversial figure' by the likes of the Telegraph and the Times. The Irish media focused on more Kinahan's links to organised crime, primarily an affidavit from CAB that appeared in the High Court saying that he ''controlled and managed' operations of the Kinahan Organised Crime Group.'
What a difference 48 hours makes in the world of social media. There has been a notable change in tone from certain sectors of the UK media today, on the back of comments in Dáil from the Taoiseach and Labour's Alan Kelly.
Kelly said yesterday: "We also need to communicate very strongly to certain sports broadcasters and other companies involved in this," and it appears have woken up to this issue.
Firstly, Dan Roan, the BBC's chief sports reporter, today reported on statements in the Dáil from Varadkar that he was 'taken aback' by Tyson Fury's shoutout to Kinahan.
Roan writes:
Daniel Kinahan has no convictions.
But has been named in court by a judge as a senior figure in Irish organised crime.
Roan even acknowledges the difference in the countries from Ireland to the UK.
Media coverage in Ireland to Kinahan and the proposed fights is very different from that across the Irish Sea, where Mr Kinahan is merely described by some as "a controversial figure".
Also today's edition of the Times features a story on Kinahan's background by Matt Lawton, Matt Dickinson and Rick Broadbent headlined: ‘Criminal parasite’ Daniel Kinahan at centre of £200m fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua
Meanwhile this afternoon, BT Sport, a major player in British boxing, released a statement distancing themselves from MTK Promotions and Kinahan.
BT Sport issues statement to distance themselves from the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua negotiations and role of Daniel Kinahan/MTK Global pic.twitter.com/1OgXszAO26
— Jack de Menezes (@JackdeMenezes) June 12, 2020
Yesterday, Rob Harris discussed the issue on LBC.
Explaining the controversy over the Fury-Joshua fight deal and the role of Daniel Kinahan pic.twitter.com/5u9Tj6iut8
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) June 12, 2020
Sky Sports also released their own statement on the issue yesterday saying 'All our broadcast deals are subject to careful consideration':
"Sky Sports has an exclusive contract with Matchroom Sports and with Anthony Joshua. We have not been involved in negotiations for a possible Joshua v Fury fight. All our broadcast deals are subject to careful consideration."
The praise for Kinahan from the likes of Top Rank's Bob Arum makes it clear that the true powerbrokers in the fight are incredibly loyal to the Dubliner.
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