Jaron “Boots” Ennis will be facing a trial in federal court in Iowa against Chris Middendorf and Victory Boxing Promotions. Middendorf alleges that he is the rightful promoter of Ennis and is suing the boxer, Ennis’ father and Cameron and Joseph Dunkin who allege they are the rightful promoters of the up-and-coming boxer.
The lawsuit and upcoming trial is another example of the sordid managerial and promotional history in combat sports. According to filings, $426,0600 of Ennis’ last six purses are being held in escrow due to the dispute.
Complaint – Victory Boxing … by MMA Payout
Middendorf, operating as Victory Boxing Promotions, claims that Ennis signed a promotional agreement with him on April 2016. Plaintiff claims that the defendants knew that Victory Boxing was the promoter and worked along with Middendorf on behalf of Ennis. In November 2018, Ennis and his manager Cameron Dunking did not communicate with Middendorf about his next fight. Instead, they denied the relationship with Victory Boxing Promotions and signed on with an upstart company to promote Ennis. Middendorf asserts a breach of contract against Ennis and claims that Ennis father and the Dunkins tortiously interfered with a valid contract.
The 23-year-old claims that Cameron Dunkin was his manager in 2016 and then became his promoter in 2019. Ennis claims that Middendorf acted as both manager and promoter and signed boxers to Victory Boxing Promotions. Middendorf put Joseph Dunkin down as the promoter to circumvent the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act rule where an individual cannot act as manager and promoter of a fighter. Dunkin claims he had little involvement with the promotion inferring that Middendorf was doing something not legal. Ennis claims that Middendorf knew of Cameron Dunkin’s contract arrangement when Ennis signed a promotional agreement in 2016. There was an informal arrangement in place whereby Middendorf would work with Cameron Dunkin to sign fighters. But there was no agreement on payment.
Promotional Contract by MMA Payout
Payout Perspective:
This case is set to go to trial in mid-May and with a lot of the pretrial materials already filed, there is a likelihood it may happen barring a last-minute attempt to settle the situation. At least the $426K held in escrow plus other damages claimed by Middendorf are in question. But, the overarching issue is the business operations of managing/promoting a fighter. Despite the Ali Act, the case presents subtle ‘workarounds’ which are likely occurring in the sport. MPO will continue to follow.
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