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NEW YORK, NY – Legendary boxing promoter Don King is being sued by a sports entertainment management firm for alleged fraud, defamation, breach of contract, and tortious interference with business relations.

Plaintiff Cecil Miller of BYD Management, LLC of Richmond, VA, filed the lawsuit last month in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, against Don King Productions.

Miller is a native of Ahoskie and a graduate of Hertford County High School where he played basketball.

The lawsuit details how DKP’s actions derailed a historic boxing event planned to commemorate the 50^th Anniversary of the “Rumble in the Jungle” in Africa, causing significant financial and reputational harm.

The case alleges that Don King Productions, led by boxing promoter Don King, issued false and defamatory communications to Nigerian government officials and stakeholders of the planned event.

The lawsuit alleges that DKP falsely claimed ownership of the “Rumble in the Jungle” brand and asserted that the plaintiffs were unassociated with Don King or DKP. These actions allegedly caused the cancellation of the fight, undermined the event’s global significance, and inflicted lasting damage to the plaintiffs’ reputations and business relationships.

The lawsuit highlights that DKP’s cease-and-desist letter was not only false but also maliciously shared publicly on social media, amplifying its defamatory impact.

The event, designed to honor a historic moment in sports history and promote cultural and economic growth in Africa, was years in the making, involving collaboration with government officials, global business leaders, and cultural stakeholders.

“This event was meant to celebrate one of the most iconic chapters in sports history while fostering unity and economic development on the African continent,” Miller said in a statement emailed to this newspaper. “Instead, baseless claims and defamatory actions by Don King Productions derailed our efforts, causing profound harm to our reputations and financial well-being.”

The plaintiffs are pursuing damages exceeding $3 billion for the alleged harm caused. The lawsuit outlines seven primary claims, including:

Tortious Interference with Economic Relations and Prospective Business Relations: Accusing DKP of deliberately undermining the plaintiffs’ contractual and prospective opportunities.

Defamation and Libel: Citing false statements made privately and publicly that damaged the plaintiffs’ credibility and relationships.

Fraud in the Inducement: Asserting that DKP falsely claimed ownership of the “Rumble in the Jungle” brand.

Breach of Contract: Highlighting DKP’s failure to honor verbal agreements and promises related to the event.

Impact on Africa and the Global Community: The event was envisioned as a cornerstone of the Global Economic Forum (GEF), showcasing Africa’s cultural and economic contributions to a worldwide audience. The lawsuit alleges that the cancellation not only disrupted years of planning, but also deprived the continent of a significant opportunity to amplify its presence on the global stage.

“This case represents more than a business dispute; it underscores the importance of integrity and accountability in global collaborations, especially those in Africa where we envisioned bringing a scattered diaspora together through sport,” said the plaintiffs’ attorney, Anthony J.M. Jones, Esq. “We will not allow these selfish and spurious actions by the defendants to overshadow the unity and inspiration this event was meant to create.”

The plaintiffs say there are broader implications to the lawsuit, to include holding DKP accountable while setting a precedent for protecting cultural and economic initiatives. The press release cites Miller as a “respected entrepreneur and business leader and founder of BYD who has spent his career dedicated to advancing cultural and economic opportunities in the African American community through sports and entertainment.