American heavyweight Jermaine Franklin has reportedly filed a lawsuit against Dmitriy Salita, claiming that the New York based promoter was using “unethical business practices”.
Franklin squares off with Anthony Joshua this Saturday in London having previously travelled to the UK last November to face Dillian Whyte, when he recorded a majority-decision defeat.
Salita was a big part of the build-up against Whyte, threatening to get physical with Franklin’s opponent. It appeared the Ukrainian had had a good relationship with his charge.
However according to MailOnline, Franklin filed a lawsuit on Friday, which he claimed owed to “exploitive, oppressive, and unethical business practices”.
Franklin and Salita had parted prior to the fight with Whyte, before resuming business. Asked about the development, Salita said: “I am surprised and disappointed! I just visited Jermaine in camp in Florida before he left for the UK and everything was good between us.
“We have done a great job with Jermaine since he started fighting under our promotional banner in 2019. His first fight with Salita Promotions was also his first fight on television and it was, by multiples, a career high pay day for him. We kept him active and got him great television exposure up until the time when he filed for bankruptcy.
“When I first signed Jermaine I told him that he had the ability to be one of the best heavyweights in the world. And since that moment I have worked diligently to make sure that Jermaine realises his full potential and to offer him the best opportunities.
“We have delivered throughout his career and we continue to deliver for him. On April 1 he has the opportunity to catapult himself to the top level of the heavyweight division and I believe he has all of the skills necessary to score the upset.”
