Sky pundit’s US travel ban over Kinahan link
SKY SPORTS pundit Matthew Macklin has been prevented from travelling to the United States as the fallout from the Daniel Kinahan saga continues. Macklin was due to fly to Las Vegas this week for the super-featherweight unification fight between Shakur Stevenson and Oscar Valdez tonight. However, Sportsmail can reveal he was not allowed to board his London flight amid scrutiny from US authorities into those with past or present links to Kinahan, who was sanctioned by the US Treasury this month over allegations that he is leading an international crime cartel. Macklin insists he has no commercial ties to Kinahan, having initially co-founded the MTK boxing management company in 2012 with the Irishman, who once described Macklin as his ‘best friend’. Both men relinquished their stakes in MTK in 2017 and the company folded last week because of claims they disputed that their links with Kinahan were ongoing. Sky Sports declined to comment on Macklin being refused entry to the US but told Sportsmail in a statement: ‘Matthew Macklin relinquished his interest in MTK in 2017 and has had no commercial dealings with Daniel Kinahan since. Matthew Macklin is not a named individual in the US sanctions, nor does he have any interest in, or prior dealings with, the named companies. However, he will of course be fully compliant with any responsibilities which may arise from the sanctions.’ It is an awkward situation for the broadcaster, who told Sportsmail that they would be standing by the former European champion. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Macklin, who has remained silent in recent years about his relationship with Kinahan.
The US sanctions against Kinahan have sent a shockwave through the sport. Many in boxing have sung his praises, including heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury, who was pictured with Kinahan in Dubai in February. Fury thanked Kinahan on social media in 2020 for brokering a two-fight deal with Anthony Joshua but insisted ahead of his title defence against Dillian Whyte last weekend that he had ‘zero’ existing connection to him, in business or as an adviser.