Austin Trout Files Lawsuit for Missed Opportunity to Fight On Mayweather/Alvarez Card
By Bryanna Fissori
Legal Analyst
Generating $150 million in pay-per-view revenue alone, the September 14, 2013 fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Canelo Alvarez was not missed by many.
The event titled “The One” was reportedly purchased by 2.2 million viewers and that does not take into account the number of people watching per purchase or the number of fans present at the MGM Grand. That being said, it was a big night for any fighter lucky enough to be on the card.
Austin Trout (26-1) was not so lucky, and has now filed a lawsuit against his former promoter Greg Cohen. Trout claims that his contract with Cohen expired earlier in the year and therefore the promoter had no legal right to attempt to enter in to negotiations with Showtime regarding the event.
According to the legal claim, Cohen threatened legal action against Showtime unless they negotiated the fight through him. At that time negotiations ceased and did not re-commence. Trout claims that Cohen’s actions were the reason he was not put on the card.
Trout has brought causes of action against the defendant for a Temporary Restraining Order and for Permanent Injunction. There is no mention of a claim for specific damages for the loss of potential revenue, though the potential was undoubtedly great. The case was originally filed on September 12 in the Galveston County District Court, but as of yesterday has been removed to federal court.
The originally agreement between the two parties was that Cohen would receive 20 percent of profits in return for arranging bouts for Trout, who will now have to prove that they were not under that contractual obligation at the time of the failed Showtime negotiations.
Trout has not competed since April when he received his first pro career loss to Canelo Alvarez. Fans can anticipate that the 28 year old will probably not be returning to the ring until after the completion of the litigation. The first hearing is currently scheduled for December.