Sport Industry Group

Boxing promoters head to court again- 18 Aug 2010 00:00:00

Controversial boxing promoters Branco Milenkovic and Rodney Berman have again met in the court room with the former challenging Peermont Global Investments for breach of contract in a case that involves Berman.

The case, which was heard for the first time at the Johannesburg high court this week, was postponed to a later date with Milenkovic ordered to pay the costs of the seating.

Milenkovic’s lawyers agreed to the postponement on the condition that the defendant’s legal team produces a copy of Peermont’s deal with Golden Gloves, which is owned by Berman.

A new date is yet to be set for a case that is an attempt by Milenkovic to upstage Berman over the use of the luxurious Emperors Palace venue.

Milenkovic argued that having promoted at Mpumalanga’s Graceland Casino – which is also owned by Peermont – for over 10 years, he was entitled to first preference over the use of Emperors ¬Palace.

However, Peermont granted the exclusive rights to his rival Berman in 2006.

Said Milenkovic: ‘I promoted at Graceland at half the price, and stopped when Peermont was undergoing restructuring in 2006. I had an exclusive agreement with Peermont then.

‘I was shocked when one day I picked up a newspaper and read that Emperors Palace had entered into an exclusive agreement with Berman.’

Peermont spokesperson Mark Jakins said they had no form of agreement with Branco Sports Productions.

‘Peermont has vehemently denied the existence of any oral agreement between the two parties.

‘As the matter is sub judice, Peermont does not wish to make further statements on this matter or correct any factual inaccuracies being disseminated to the press by the other party at this time.’

After waiting for a court date since instituting legal proceedings in 2007, Milenkovic said he was not worried by the postponement.

The lengthy legal proceedings have taken a financial toll, but he said he was determined to go the full distance.

‘Even if I have to sell my car and my house or stop promoting, I will pursue this case.’

Recently, Milenkovic won a case against Berman over the promotional rights of former SA light heavyweight champion Daniel Bruwer.