Legendary boxing promoter Bob Arum has defended Daniel Kinahan, describing him as an 'honest' and 'honourable' man.
It comes after Kinahan was called out as a crime cartel boss on the floor of the Dáil yesterday after the boxing promoter was publicly praised for his role in organising a fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
Kinahan's sharp rise in the boxing world has led the Department of Foreign Affairs to contact the United Arab Emirates, where he lives, after the High Court labelled Kinahan a senior figure in organised crime.
The alleged mob boss was publicly thanked by heavyweight Fury for his role in organising the multi-million dollar bout, leading to Labour leader Alan Kelly's criticism yesterday.
But famed American promoter Arum, who works closely with Kinahan and the MTK Global promotion, believes Kinahan to be an 'honourable' man.
"I really must say," Arum told Newstalk Breakfast, "that not only is he intelligent which everybody had told me before, but he is dead honest, forthright and he's a no-nonsense guy.
"So, you don't waste a lot of time beating around the bush with him. Everything that he has told us and every promise that he has made to us, he has more than fulfilled. We've had a very, very good relationship because we deal honestly and forthrightly with each other.
"If anybody asked me I would say without question that I find him to be an honourable man."
He added: "Dan has been acting for over a year as our advisor, particularly with Tyson Fury and some other UK fighters," he explained. "He is also Tyson Fury's advisor, so he has been involved I think almost every step of the way regarding Tyson Fury's career."
But despite Kinahan's reputation, Top Rank chief Arum suggests that allegations aimed at the Irishman are none of his business and that he believes Kinahan is only judged by his boxing peers for his exploits within the sport.
"Look, I'm not naive," Arum continued, "[but] what did or didn't happen prior to his involvement in boxing is not of a major concern to me. Firstly, they're allegations, and secondly, they don't really speak to how he has acted when he has been involved in boxing.
"In boxing, we've had situations where we've had athletes who were accused and convicted of major crimes, served their time and came into the sport of boxing and not only performed well but excelled.
"Boxing has been used by many people who have had questionable backgrounds. They come into boxing and if they conduct themselves well, then yes, they can achieve a new type of attitude that people will have of them.
"People will be judged on how they act within the sport. Be it as a performer or a businessman, this is not unusual for the sport of boxing."
He added: "Whatever of the allegations, I can't get into it and I'm not going to get into it because it is none of my business."
