Cleverly fight is not going to happen, claims Coyne after contract dispute with 'evil' King

PUBLISHED: 06:01 EST, 25 October 2012 | UPDATED: 06:19 EST, 25 October 2012

Nathan Cleverly's world title defence against Ryan Coyne is in jeopardy because of a contractual dispute between the American and his former promoter Don King.

Coyne was expected to challenge for Cleverly's WBO light-heavyweight belt on a Golden Boy Promotions show in LA on November 10, but the 30-year-old revealed King's intervention has all but scuppered the fight.

'I am sorry to toss a monkey wrench in things, but my fight with Nathan Cleverly is not going to happen,' Coyne told World Boxing News.

Dispute: Cleverly's title fight with Coyne is in jeopardy

'This is purely because of the spite of an evil zealot named Don King.

'I personally am 100 per cent ready to go forward with this fight and I can't wait to oppose Nathan Cleverly next month, but Don threatened the WBO and Frank Warren with a lawsuit and that seems to be that.

'In my eyes, my contract with him expired, but he is now claiming an extension and due to his threats to great promoters like Frank Warren and Golden Boy, it is a dreadful situation that has cost me dearly.'

'Evil': Coyne has hit out at his former promoter King

Cleverly's promoter Warren confirmed to Sportsmail that the issue was ongoing, but insisted Cleverly will be fighting at the Staples Centre.

He said: 'Nathan will definitely be fighting there on that date and hopefully it will be against Ryan, but we'll see what happens. 'I hope to know more later in the day.'

Cleverly was initially due to make the fourth defence of title against Vyacheslav Uzelkov in Cardiff on 27 October, but dropped the Ukrainian in favour of Stateside exposure.