De La Hoya’s Move Prompts Arum to Sue Univision, CEO

Promoter Bob Arum will file a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court today against Univision Sports and its CEO, Jerry Perenchio, charging both with interfering with his promotional contract with former welterweight champion Oscar De La Hoya.

Arum’s action comes in the wake of the announcement that De La Hoya has hired Perenchio to be his new promoter after suing Arum last month to end their ties.

“There is evidence,” said Arum, “that [Perenchio] has been interfering in my relationship with Oscar for the last six years. And I will get affidavits from people to prove that.

“We will be asking for punitive and compensatory damages. We are not asking for a specific figure, but hopefully, we will be able to convince a jury that we should be awarded hundreds of millions of dollars. This is very serious stuff.”

Time Warner Sports, parent company of HBO and TVKO, sent Perenchio and Univision faxes Tuesday, warning them not to interfere with the contract that binds Arum, De La Hoya and Time Warner.

Perenchio did not respond to a request for a comment.

Richard Schaefer, De La Hoya’s business manager, wanted it understood that, while Univision would serve as the fighter’s promotional arm, the former champion has no plans to fight on that network.

“This has absolutely nothing to do with where the fights are shown,” Schaefer said. “Oscar is very happy with his relationship with HBO. He is not disputing that relationship. It is longstanding and he is looking forward to continuing it.”

Responded Arum: “The contract is between me and Oscar and HBO. Oscar can’t be on HBO without me. He knows that. I have no idea what Oscar has been smoking.”

Arum, whose masterful handling of De La Hoya’s career has earned the fighter more than $125 million in the ring and millions more in endorsements, insists he is glad to learn it is Perenchio who is stepping into his role.

“It was a cause for celebration,” Arum said, “once I realized who was behind this. He’s got deep pockets. This is what courts are for.”

Said Tom Girardi, Arum’s attorney, “It’s like a guy who wants to date a married woman and he shows up for dinner on Sunday night. There’s probably not a place for him at the table.

“This contract is unbreakable and for them to try and void it is extraordinary. This is a contract between Mr. De La Hoya, Mr. Arum and HBO, all of whom were represented by counsel and all of whom blessed the agreement. This was not something done in the back seat of a car.

“Mr. De La Hoya may not have a legal background, but for the people at Univision to do this is very depressing to Bob Arum.”

Schaefer said De La Hoya picked Perenchio, who promoted the first Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier fight in 1971, because of his expertise.

“That’s what attracted us to him,” Schaefer said. “He redefined how fights are promoted. He has the contacts, the business acumen and he knows how to make fights available to a larger audience.

“Oscar has declared his free agency from Bob and Bob has decided not to accept. Oscar wants to move forward with his career. He wants to go back to the ring sooner rather than later.”

Schaefer said De La Hoya will return to the gym in November, and hopes to fight an interim opponent if Shane Mosley faces Antonio Diaz on Nov. 4 as expected. If all goes well, Mosley-De La Hoya II would be staged next May. Mosley beat De La Hoya on a split decision last June.

Does Arum feel all the litigation will end in a settlement and De La Hoya will be able to get on with his career?

“I don’t know,” Arum said. “It can take a lot of different courses. Maybe it would be solved with a lot of money, but it will take a hell of a lot more money than they are talking about.”