Bowe’s Manager Files Suit Against Promoter Duva

Charging boxing promoter Dan Duva with a fistful of bad behavior, Rock Newman, manager of heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe, filed a $25-million lawsuit Wednesday in U.S. District Court.

“Twenty-five million? That’s all?” Duva said of the suit.

Newman claimed Duva and his company, Main Events, Inc., failed to act in good faith on Bowe’s behalf despite holding a 28% promotional interest for three of the champion’s fights and that their conduct forfeited their rights to co-promote and share in the revenues of future Bowe fights.

“They’ve breached our contract in every way possible,” Newman said.

The 28% clause was part of the contract agreement negotiated by Duva when Bowe outpointed Evander Holyfield to win the heavyweight title last November. Duva did not exercise the option in either of Bowe’s first two defenses, against Michael Dokes and Jesse Ferguson, but planned to use it for the anticipated big-money rematch against Holyfield in November.

“They had a responsibility to act in good faith and not diminish or damage Riddick’s career,” Newman said. “From the beginning, there has been a consistent pattern of bad faith.”

Newman said Duva had interfered in contract negotiations for a proposed Bowe title fight against Tommy Morrison. Bill Cayton, Morrison’s manager, said he received a letter from Duva, warning that Bowe had a prior commitment for a rematch with Holyfield and threatening legal action if Morrison signs for a Bowe fight. Duva confirmed the letter.

There is a signed agreement for a Holyfield-Bowe rematch in November, provided Holyfield defeats Alex Stewart Saturday night at Atlantic City, N.J.