Billy Keane, a manager with ties to some of the most prominent boxers of the 21st century, filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit in a California federal court Thursday against Top Rank Inc., and its president, Todd duBoef, a suit that rocked the boxing world. The New York Post first reported on the lawsuit.
DuBoef is the stepson of Top Rank founder Bob Arum.
Keane is seeking at least $25 million, plus interest, for underpayment and non-payment of fees for work he alleged he did bringing fighters to Top Rank.
Notably, Keane was responsible for the 2019 deal that helped Top Rank obtain the U.S. promotional rights to former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
The lawsuit alleges that, at duBoef’s direction, Keane worked out a deal with Irish boxing promoter Daniel Kinahan to secure Fury’s U.S. rights. When Fury became concerned Top Rank would not be able to honor the financial commitment, he asked ESPN to guarantee it. Kinahan agreed to do it personally.
Courtesy Billy Keane
Boxing manager Billy Keane (L) filed a federal lawsuit against Top Rank, which was founded by Bob Arum.
According to the suit, duBoef did not want ESPN to know of Kinahan’s involvement.
“Although Kinahan’s personal guarantee was sufficient for Fury, Keane was concerned that duBoef might balk at the idea of allowing Kinahan to serve as a guarantor for duBoef’s contract with Fury,” the suit read. “If duBoef had any trepidations, he kept them to himself.
“When Keane advised duBoef, by text, that “[Kinahan] said that none of this is going to be an issue. He said he is going to personally guarantee the money w Tyson so [Top Rank] not paying or bob dying is not an issue,” duBoef sent the following text in response:
“Now that makes sense.”
DuBoef declined comment on the suit.
Among numerous other issues, the complaint alleges that duBoef had instructed Keane to raid Queensberry Promotions’ roster and have the fighters sign with Top Rank. Queensberry is headed by Hall of Famer Frank Warren.
“DuBoef also told Keane to enlist Kinahan’s help to take all of Frank Warren’s fighters, put Warren out of business and expand Top Rank’s operation in the U.K.,” the suit said.
On April 11, 2022, the U.S. Treasury Department declared Daniel Kinahan part of what it referred to as the “Kinahan Organized Crime Group.” The group includes Kinahan’s father, Christopher V. Kinahan Sr., and his brother, Christopher V. Kinahan Jr.
Keane’s suit alleged that duBoef promised him if he cut his fee for securing fighters for Top Rank from 10 percent to five percent, he would be “duBoef’s partner and trusted second in command when Arum passed away.”
Courtesy Billy Keane
Former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury with Billy Keane (R).