Tyson Fury once praised him for brokering one of the most important fights in British boxing’s history.

The US government is now offering $5m for information leading to Daniel Kinahan’s arrest or conviction.

This dramatic intervention is seen by many as a blow to the criminal gang that has grown from Dublin streets and now spans countries all over the globe.

Sky News examines what we know so far about Kinahan, an alleged crime boss, who is believed to have “an element of terror” in boxing.

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Early life

Born in Dublin in 1977, Kinahan was the oldest son of Christy Kinahan (a drug dealer convicted in the past) and the founder of the family’s criminal enterprise.

Kinahan claimed that he was born in a poor area with high levels of crime and poverty, which inspired his interest in boxing.

He said, “People like me from there aren’t expected do anything other than serve middle and upper class.”

“Boxing is a sport that I love and have a passion for. It’s a great sport for working people.”

Kinahan, who is not a criminal defendant, was reportedly taken into custody in connection to an attack on two officers at Dublin’s Shelbourne Park greyhound arena in May 2001.

According to the Irish Independent, he was initially denied bail for assault but the charges were dropped in January.

WikiLeaks: Spain arrest and revelation

Kinahan was mentioned in a 2009 diplomatic cable from the US Embassy in South America. He was described as an international drug-trafficking suspect.

This reference was made public in a WikiLeaks publication containing confidential US documents.

Kinahan, his father Christy Jnr and brother Christopher Jnr were arrested in Spain in 2010. However, the money-laundering case that had been pending for years was dropped in 2020.

According to reports, Kinahan owned a number of harmless companies that ranged from interior design firms to cleaning businesses during his time in Ireland in 2016. None of these companies were ever reported.

According to the Irish Independent, company records revealed that Kinahan claimed to be an “upholsterer”.

Kinahan killed in gang feud

Kinahan fled Ireland in 2016 after a failed attempt on his life at a Dublin’s Regency Hotel boxing weigh-in.

He was attacked by gunmen belonging to the rival Hutch gang who disguised themselves as police officers and attempted to kill him. Instead, David Byrne was killed.

Kinahan described the incident as “probably six metres away” and said that one of the attackers saw him when he saw a gun. He then heard the “boom boom” shots.

In the feud between these two gangs, at least 18 people were killed.

Kinahan, his brother Christopher Jnr and father Christy are now all based in the United Arab Emirates.

Kinahan was reportedly married at Dubai’s seven-star Burj al Arab hotel in May 2017.

According to Dublin Live, among the guests were Ricard ‘El Rico, a Chilean drug lord, Ridouan Taghi, a Dutch-Moroccan mobster, and Raffaele Imperialem an Italian mafia.

Tyson Fury praises Kinahan

Kinahan founded MTK Global, a boxing management company that represents over 300 fighters, including Tyson Fury and Carl Frampton.

Fury thanked Kinahan in June 2020 for agreeing to a deal with Anthony Joshua, a fellow British heavyweight boxer, in what was one of the most anticipated title bouts in sport history.

Fury stated, “I’m just trying to get off the phone with Daniel Kinahan.”

“He just informed me that the largest fight in British boxing history had just been agreed.

“Big shoutout to Dan. This was a win for Dan. Two fight deal.”

He continued: “So, a huge thank you to Dan that got this deal through. All the best. God bless you all. We will see you soon.

Tyson Fury is not suspected of any wrongdoing.

The involvement of Kinahan was discovered by Leo Varadkar, the then-Irish prime minister. He stated that it would not be appropriate for broadcasters to not show the fights.

KHK, a sports media company set up by the son of King of Bahrain, stated that Kinahan had been dropped as an advisor following the outcry.

Fury’s US promoter Bob Arum said that Kinahan had ended his professional relationship with him just two weeks before his video praises Kinahan.

Arum said that Fury “loves Kinahan, admires her and respects him.”

After a ruling, Fury was forced to face Deontay Wilder in the US boxing ring.

Kinahan’s ‘dangerous’ boxing ‘terror’

Barry McGuigan, a former world champion boxer from Ireland, has expressed concern about Kinahan’s involvement in the sport.

McGuigan called Kinahan “dangerous” because of his role in boxing, which brought “elements of terror” to the sport.

He stated in a BBC Panorama documentary last summer: “There is no doubt there is an intimidation efect, there is no question about it.”

“If we believed what we believe, we would be a very dangerous person.

“There is a certain element of terror and fear around this name.

“Someone must look out for this sport. This situation is extremely dangerous and they need to be aware of it.

The BBC stated that a Panorama team was threatened by unnamed criminal elements from Northern Ireland after the program aired.

Kinahan denies criminal gang links

Kinahan released a statement following the Panorama program, insisting that he wasn’t connected to any criminal gang.

He said that he still organises “record-breaking” world title fights despite claims by broadcasters and boxing promoters to the contrary.

TalkSport’s he stated that he was unable to be more clear about the fundamental slur: “I am not part of any criminal gang or any conspiracy.”

“I don’t have convictions. None. It does not matter if you are in Ireland or anywhere else in the world.

Fury photographed with Kinahan, Dubai’s boxing chief.

Fury was photographed in February with his arm wrapped around a smiling Kinahan, Dubai.

After meeting Kinahan, Mauricio Sulaiman, president of World Boxing Council, offered his support a month later.

Sulaiman, who wrote an opinion piece for The Herald of Mexico said that Kinahan was subject to “prejudice” because he had been “labelled as someone linked to criminal organizations”.

He said, “I am not qualified to judge anyone, and that has been our policy, to fight all forms of discrimination, abuse of power, in front of any person or group.”

Kinahan “sources large amounts of cocaine from South America”

The US government announced Tuesday a $5m (PS3.8m), reward for information leading towards the arrest or conviction Daniel Kinahan, Christy Kinahan and Christopher Jnr.

The Kinahan crime gang was described by the US Treasury Department as a “significant transnationalcriminal organisation”.

It stated that each member of Kinahan Organised Crime Group (KOCG) reports to Daniel Kinahan. Kinahan is thought to oversee the organization’s day-to-day operations.

According to the US Treasury department, Kinahan instructed Kinahan’s crime group members to send money to prisoners convicted of murder or attempted murder.

It said that Kinahan also sources large amounts of cocaine from South America and plays an integral role in organizing drug supply in Ireland.

A number of the most prominent boxing figures, including Fury, have been urged by Kinahan to end their ties.

Drew Harris, Irish police commissioner, stated that if you deal with sanctioned individuals or entities, you are part of a criminal network.

“I would ask them to examine their business and assess the integrity of their business. Also, how are they relating to their fans. And, finally, is this something that they want to get involved in? The answer is no.