The Deontay Wilder-Alexander Povetkin legal drama will not end. The parties have given notice that they are appeal the federal district court’s decision.
Letter From Wilder 05.25.18 Appeal by JASONCRUZ206 on Scribd
The Southern District Court of New York has had a trial and summary judgment motions in this contentious lawsuit over whether Povetkin’s failed drug test for Meldonium was a breach of the fight contract between the parties or whether Wilder not heading to Russia, where the fight took place, was a breach of the contract.
Thus far, a jury found that Povetkin ingested Meldonium post-January 1, 2016. The Court affirmed the jury decision after a Motion for Reconsideration and/or New Trial by Povetkin (and his promoters at World of Boxing)was denied. Yet, in litigating the other causes of action, the court determined on Summary Judgment that Povetkin did not breach the Bout Agreement although a jury trial determined that Povetkin ingested Meldonium and concluded that a VADA test on April 27, 2016 showed Meldonium in his system. The court deferred to the WBC’s discretion to rule on culpability for its anti-doping program. As such, the court concluded that since the WBC believed that Povetkin did not violate the Bout Agreement.
From our previous post on this issue:
In this case, after issuing several conflicting and indecisive rulings, the WBC finally decided on November 7, 2017 that notwithstanding the jury’s verdict in this case, it would adhere to its earlier decision that it was not possible to determine whether Povetkin ingested Meldonium after January 1, 2016. In other words, the WBC exercised its discretion to determine that Povetkin did not violate the CBP [Clean Boxing Program, the drug testing entered into by the boxers].”
In addition, the Court has released the escrow funds held up by Deontay Wilder after the fight did not go forward. However, the Court did not grant WOB the $2.5 million in liquidated damages that was included in the escrow agreement which would have been triggered if it was found that there was a breach. The Court noted that there was not a judgment filed against Wilder and that his representatives made the objection for disbursement in accordance with the agreement. The Court did not find a breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. It also did not find Wilder guilty of breaching the Bout Agreement for not showing up in Russia for the fight as the Court opines that there was no evidence of his absence for the fight in Russia caused the cancellation.
The District Court ordered the release of the money held in escrow of over $7.1 million dollars.
A cause of action by Povetkin for defamation against Wilder was not litigated, but its likely that this will be determined after the appeal.
Payout Perspective:
It only makes sense that this case was going to be appealed. Both sides are appealing ruling from the court. Wilder is appealing the Summary Judgment ruling which essentially overturned a trial court decision that Povetkin took Meldonium. Povetkin might be seeking to go after Wilder for breach of the Bout Agreement and obtain a $2.5 million liquidated damages award that is a part of the escrow agreement. The legal drama shall continue and MMA Payout will follow.
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