Dublin boxer Jono Caroll has incredibly stood by Daniel Kinahan after the US Treasury implemented sanctions against the Kinahan cartel.
Caroll has echoed comments he made about the drug baron earlier this year when he described Kinahan as "a true legend" of boxing.
He tweeted: "Mother f***ers can say what yous want, this man gave me opportunity’s in this sport and without him I would of walked away a long time ago, I stand by everything I said here, I’ll always be thankful for his help and guidance in this sport."
In another tweet on Wednesday night, Carroll said: "Loyalty is a hard thing to come by these days, But one thing about me is if your my friend your my friend for life."
The 30-year-old was pictured with Kinahan in Dubai less than two months ago prior to his victory over Ghana's Patrick Ayi Aryee.
Sharing a picture alongside the mob boss at the time, Carroll wrote: "Without this man I wouldn't be still in this boxing game, he's a true legend of the sport, He should be celebrated from the boxing world, without him half of these big fights would never of happened."
The comments come after promoter Bob Arum revealed how Kinahan tried to force his way into fight negotiations in recent months but was told to butt out.
The 90-year-old was previously a supporter of Kinahan’s involvement in the sport, labelling him as an “honourable man”.
And he once insisted he was not concerned about allegations over the Dubliner’s involvement in organised crime.
But now Arum, one of the most powerful figures in boxing, has cut ties with Kinahan following the US government placing sanctions on the gangster, along with his father Christy Snr, 65, and his brother Christy Jnr, 41, and four of their key associates.
Arum also told Newstalk Breakfast yesterday that he knew of allegations about Kinahan but the involvement of the US government and law enforcement has effectively ended his role in the sport.
He said: “Frankly “I was surprised because I had no inkling that there was any type of US involvement here.
“I knew all of the accusations – the Irish media and all of that – but I didn’t contemplate the US would be involved.”
Asked if he stood over comments he made in June 2020, in which he described Daniel Kinahan as “an honourable man”, he said: “Well no.
“I can’t talk, nor would I talk, about his dealings with us – but when my government makes a statement like they made, as a law abiding citizen of the United States, I have no other alternative but to abide by their determination”.
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