Jackson and Ibarra Sued for Breach of Contract
Josh Gross Dec 28, 2007
White Chocolate Management (WCM) and its president, Reed Wallace,
have filed a civil suit in New York State Supreme Court alleging
UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson (Pictures) and his manager, Juanito Ibarra,
are in breach of their contract with the Florida-based management
and promotion company.
Wallace is asking for $10,000,000 in damages after being "forced into filing the lawsuit by Rampage's manager Juanito Ibarra, who 'bad mouthed'" WCM, according to a news release issued by the plaintiff on Thursday.
When contacted for comment, Ibarra acknowledged the existence of a
"non-exclusive sponsorship deal," but said he maintained sole
managerial rights over Jackson, who captured the UFC title in May
by knocking out Chuck
Liddell (Pictures).
Saying he had not seen the release, Ibarra declined to comment directly on the suit or statements made by WCM or Wallace.
"Anybody that brings me a deal worthwhile -- anybody -- with a contract or no contract, if it has integrity value about it, then I'll take care of that person," Ibarra told Sherdog.com from Las Vegas, where he was set to watch Saturday's UFC 79 alongside Jackson. "I'll give them 10 percent -- that's always been me and that will always stand."
Said Wallace on the reason for the lawsuit: "to protect all fighters and that Rampage will have to learn to open his eyes and not entrust all his life and business to one person (Juanito Ibarra) like so many other fighters have made the same mistake in the past."
Wallace said that while the fighter remained friendly, the champion's manager has "rejected or blocked all transactions and deals offered to Rampage from WCM. Ibarra then went behind WCM and contacted or had his agent contact those very same parties that WCM brought to the table."
Since joining Ibarra, Jackson is undefeated, including victories over the aforementioned Liddell and a decision conquest over top-ranked fighter Dan Henderson (Pictures) in September. He has also seen his name adorn the name of a sports drink, and received the key to his native Memphis, Tenn.
"I'll turn down money," Ibarra said. "If it's not right for our business or image, we're not doing it.
"If I turn down a deal, I'm allowed to turn down a deal. It's our right."
Attorney Robert Hantman of New York has been hired by Wallace. In a prepared statement, Hantman said all Jackson had to do to end legal proceedings was "let White Chocolate do its job without interference and honor his contract."
"The alternative 'is to go the distance,'" the statement closed. "The decision is his."
Wallace is asking for $10,000,000 in damages after being "forced into filing the lawsuit by Rampage's manager Juanito Ibarra, who 'bad mouthed'" WCM, according to a news release issued by the plaintiff on Thursday.
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Saying he had not seen the release, Ibarra declined to comment directly on the suit or statements made by WCM or Wallace.
However, Ibarra, who also trains WCM-signed fighter Cheick Kongo (Pictures), said he has always taken care of
people that bring him deals that are good for Jackson.
"Anybody that brings me a deal worthwhile -- anybody -- with a contract or no contract, if it has integrity value about it, then I'll take care of that person," Ibarra told Sherdog.com from Las Vegas, where he was set to watch Saturday's UFC 79 alongside Jackson. "I'll give them 10 percent -- that's always been me and that will always stand."
Said Wallace on the reason for the lawsuit: "to protect all fighters and that Rampage will have to learn to open his eyes and not entrust all his life and business to one person (Juanito Ibarra) like so many other fighters have made the same mistake in the past."
Wallace said that while the fighter remained friendly, the champion's manager has "rejected or blocked all transactions and deals offered to Rampage from WCM. Ibarra then went behind WCM and contacted or had his agent contact those very same parties that WCM brought to the table."
Since joining Ibarra, Jackson is undefeated, including victories over the aforementioned Liddell and a decision conquest over top-ranked fighter Dan Henderson (Pictures) in September. He has also seen his name adorn the name of a sports drink, and received the key to his native Memphis, Tenn.
"I'll turn down money," Ibarra said. "If it's not right for our business or image, we're not doing it.
"If I turn down a deal, I'm allowed to turn down a deal. It's our right."
Attorney Robert Hantman of New York has been hired by Wallace. In a prepared statement, Hantman said all Jackson had to do to end legal proceedings was "let White Chocolate do its job without interference and honor his contract."
"The alternative 'is to go the distance,'" the statement closed. "The decision is his."
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