An Irish politician has informed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) about Daniel Kinahan’s apparent residence in Dubai, as boxers continue to back the suspected criminal’s involvement in the sport. Neale Richmond TD has written to HE Sultan Al Ali, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to Ireland, about Daniel Kinahan’s residence in Dubai, reports the Irish Examiner. 

The Fine Gael politician, who is Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin Rathdown constituency, perviously warned that Kinahan was using his involvement in boxing as a form of ‘sportswashing’, in order to distance himself from criminal activity. “There is a responsibility on promoters, TV channels and fans that mob bosses such as Kinahan are not involved in boxing at any level”, he said in a statement released prior to a BBC Panorama documentary. “Any fight or enterprise involving MTK must be questioned and if Kinahan is involved, it needs to be stopped, it is that simple”. 

The BBC Panorama documentary highlighted Kinahan’s continued involvement in boxing, including his apparent role in brokering the Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fights set for later this year. Kinahan’s continued involvement in the sport was confirmed by Scottish light welterweight boxer Josh Taylor, who recently revealed that Kinahan is working on a deal for a world title unification fight against Jose Ramirez (see below).

https://twitter.com/JoshTaylorBoxer/status/1360217566346678273

It is understood that Daniel Kinahan was identified as controlling the Kinahan Organised Crime Group from Dubai in an affidavit from Ireland’s Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) produced during a 2019 Dublin High Court case. The CAB, Ireland’s Emergency Response Unit (ERU) and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) investigated an ‘individual member of the Kinahan Organised Crime Group involved in the sale and supply of controlled drugs’ in 2019, and the CAB’s 2019 Annual Report confirms that investigations are ongoing (see right). 

The Irish police (Garda) said it doesn’t comment on ‘named individuals’. Kinahan has denied any involvement in criminality through a statement issued via TalkSport.

Kinahan was a co-founder of boxing agency MTK Global and a number of boxers have spoken out in support of him. A number of these statements have been retweeted by a Twitter account set up in Daniel Kinahan’s name, launched in January this year. Its first tweet on 1 February, the day on which the BBC Panorama documentary was released, was a simple hashtag #DefundTheBBC. The cover image used by the account involves MTK Global.

Kinahan was recently pictured with boxing promoter Peter Khan in Dubai, reported The Irish Sun, however Khan appears to have deleted his Twitter account. Six days ago Amer Abdallah, World Kickboxing Association (WKA) Cruiserweight World Champion, also shared a picture of himself with Kinahan in Dubai, however there is no indication of when that picture was taken.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Amer Abdallah (@teamabdallah)

STATEMENT
I have known Daniel Kinahan a long time. I have always had a very positive relationship with him. I am aware of the allegations made against him but i simply do not accept them. The media depiction is totally different from the reality.

Unfortunately i have recieved a

— billyjoesaunders (@bjsaunders_) February 4, 2021

Without this man the boxing game would not be the same he has got every fight I’ve asked for helped me out lots of good ways also I class him a good friend he is a man of word there is not many like him in this boxing game loyal & has the fighters best interests at heart pic.twitter.com/Zj7wkjpND0

— Stephen Ormond (@steormond) February 12, 2021

Professional boxing is where it is 2day because of this man. I am 2x WBO champion because Daniel has led me on the right path a great advisor who has become a really good friend of mine. Genuinely one of the nicest guys I've met. And I have nothing but good things to say bout him pic.twitter.com/RtY8sZvmrf

— Davey Oliver Joyce (@daveyoliver101) February 12, 2021