Australian boxer George Kambosos hit by $1m US lawsuit claiming breach of contract over unpaid wages to former staff
It’s been a tough fortnight for George Kambosos. First he suffered another world-title loss to Devin Haney. Now the Aussie boxing star is embroiled in a costly legal spat.
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According to American reports, Kambosos’ former manager Peter Kahn and trainer Javiel Centeno commenced legal proceedings for a breach of contract against the world-ranked Australian boxer.
The US lawsuit was filed in a Florida court on October 13, just three days before Kambosos suffered his second consecutive loss to Haney in their world-title blockbuster in Melbourne last Sunday week.
It is understood the Kambosos camp will vigorously defend the allegations.
Kahn and Centeno were once pivotal figures in Team Kambosos, with the duo playing key roles in the rise of ‘Ferocious’ to world-champion status after his bombshell boilover of Teofimo Lopez last November.
Kahn and Centeno were in Kambosos’ corner for his first unification bout against Haney at Marvel Stadium in June, but following his loss to the American, the Sydneysider severed ties with the duo.
In court documents, Kahn alleges he is owed a minimum of $US347,700, with the possibility of “additional funds through discovery”, while Centeno is seeking $US280,000 in unpaid wages for training Kambosos in the lead-up to his first bout with Haney.
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Kambosos is being sued for a total of $US627,700, which equates to $992,622 in Australian dollars.
Legal documents allege Kambosos made $7.1 million from his first bout against Haney, comprising a net purse of $6m, $680,000 in Marvel Stadium ticket sales and $506,000 in pay-per-view revenue.
Kahn and Centeno’s legal representative Carl Berry confirmed the duo were suing Kambosos for unpaid wages.
“Peter just wants to be paid what he’s supposed to be paid. The same thing with Javiel,” Berry told American media.
“Prior to Peter’s involvement, Kambosos only fought in Australia, so he basically contacted Peter because (Kambosos) wanted to get out of Australia and for Peter to help make him into a star and build a brand, which is what Kambosos became.
“Peter did everything. George for his part won fights, and he did that. As a team, they were able to get George in a mandatory position for the IBF title.
“As a result of the work Peter did, he got Kambosos in position to win, and Kambosos managed to win the fight (against Lopez) despite the fact nobody thought he was going to win.
“Subsequent to that, Peter goes about putting the fight together with Haney.
“He negotiated with all parties, spending significant amount of time, putting that together, negotiating this two-fight deal, with the upside (and a rematch).
“Peter was able to run it back for a second fight (the rematch at Rod Laver Arena on October 16), which Peter covered.
“Because of that, he’s owed his 10 per cent.”
At the official press conference to their Melbourne rematch, the Haney camp unloaded on Kambosos, accusing him of “ripping off” his former team members.
Centeno claims he received only part payment of his 10 per cent fee for the Lopez and Haney fights, leaving $443,000 in unpaid wages.
Kambosos opted for an “all-Australian” team for the return bout with Haney, replacing Centeno with Chris Bakis, his original trainer who helped the lightweight star become an Australian champion.
“The progression of George’s career speaks for itself. The work Peter has done speaks for itself. There is a clip out there before their second fight of Haney confronting Kambosos about not paying Peter,” Berry said.
Of Centeno‘s demands, Berry said: “It’s the same situation with Javiel, because he (Kambosos) ’shorts’ Javiel the money after he beats Teofimo Lopez, and then he shorted him again for George’s first fight with Haney.
“Quite honestly, I’ve seen guys shorted before, but this is a little more than what I normally see.
“Have you ever seen where trainers and managers have sought this kind of money from a fighter before?
“To me, this seems quite a bit different from what I’m normally accustomed to seeing in the sport.”
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