Just to play devil's advocate, was Don King really this evil garbage?

Don King was great for the boxing fans. He regularly put together fantastic cards full of high quality matchups and big name fighters

However, he took advantage of many boxers and was sued on innumerable occasions. He won some of the lawsuits and lost others but you would hear the same story over and over from boxers about how he promised them one thing and way too often delivered another.

 

For fans, King was The Greatest. Whatever else can be said about him, he sure put together great cards and made the fights happen. If King were still in his prime, we probably wouldn't have the situation we have today of the top guys not fighting each other. King would make it happen.

For fighters, King really ripped some off. Very uncool. I recall an incident about Witherspoon walking away with ~$50k in hand for a fight where his purse was $500k. That's absurd.

 

Although not as significant as the drug problems, you might venture to say that the 80s division of heavyweights wasn't as hungry as others cuz they knew they would get ****ed in their contracts.

 

King made good promotions for his own ultimate benefit, not the fans. If he put together great cards, his ability to do so was obviously well supported by that fact that he wasn't paying his fighter's their due. King made money off fighters, not the other way around. If King could get the top guys to fight today, it would likely give rise to the same financial casualties of the past. The thread title could well be "Playing Don King's advocate...."

 

@Tim Witherspoon do you have much you are willing to say, good or bad, about Don King?

 

Mike Tyson is just one example. King also stomped a man to death.

King conspired with Joe Sayatovich, Terry Norris’s manager, to steal money from Norris’s paychecks. Norris was awarded $7.5 million.

Tim Witherspoon was supposed to make a million for the Frank Bruno fight and received about $100k.

The Jack Newfield book goes into more of the **** King did.

Don King Productions also took down my YouTube channel for copyright infringement LOL

Don did, however, put together big fights and great cards. Those 90s PPVs were something.

Simon Brown-Maurice Blocker on the Mike Tyson-Razor Ruddock 1 undercard.

Azumah Nelson-Jeff Fenech 1 on the Tyson-Ruddock 2 undercard.

The night of the rematches.

Julian Jackson-Gerald McClellan 1, Lennox Lewis-Tony Tucker, and Julio Cesar Chavez-Terrance Ali on the same card.

 

Don king is a G and boxing has suffered in his absence.

Don king gave the fans the fights they wanted to see, and his cards were epic.

As far as the fighters, he got plenty a man filthy rich. How they handled their own finances is their business

 

Some of Don King's fights his first five years as a promoter:

George Foreman vs. Muhammad Ali - World Heavyweight Title
Jeff Merritt vs. Ron Stander
Muhammad Ali vs. Chuck Wepner - World Heavyweight Title (Inspired the Rocky series)
Larry Holmes vs. Charley Green
Muhammad Ali vs. Ron Lyle - World Heavyweight Title
Victor Galindez vs. Ray Elson
Larry Holmes vs. Ernie Smith
Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Bugner II - World Heavyweight Title
Carlos Monzon vs. Tony Licata - World Middleweight Title
Victor Galindez vs. Jorge Ahumada - WBA Light Heavyweight Title
Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier III - World Heavyweight Title
Larry Holmes vs. Rodney Bobick
Muhammad Ali vs. Jean Pierre Coopman - World Heavyweight Title
Jimmy Young vs. Joe "King" Roman
Larry Holmes vs. Fred Askew
Muhammad Ali vs. Jimmy Young - World Heavyweight Title
Ken Norton vs. Ron Stander
Larry Holmes vs. Roy "Tiger" Williams
George Foreman vs. Scott Ledoux
Jeff Merritt vs. Stan Ward
George Foreman vs. Dino Dennis
Roberto Duran vs. Alvaro Rojas - WBA Lightweight Title
Larry Holmes vs. Tom Prater
Sugar Ray Seales vs. Ronnie Harris
Mike Rossman vs. Ray Anderson
Wilfred Benitez vs. Melvin Dennis
Stan Ward vs. Kevin Isaac
George Foreman vs. Jimmy Young
Larry Holmes vs Horace Robinson
Bobby 'Boogaloo" Watts vs. David Love
Leroy Jones vs. Dino Dennis
Floyd Mayweather Sr. vs. Miguel Berreto
Vonzell Johnson vs. Tony Greene
Rubin Castillo vs. Walter Seeley
Saoul Mamby vs. Mike Everett
Muhammad Ali vs. Alfredo Evangelista - World Heavyweight Title
Alfredo Escalara vs. Carlos Becceril - WBA Junior Lightweight Title
Roberto Duran vs. Javier Muniz
Esteban DeJesus vs. Vicente Mijares - WBC Lightweight Title
Larry Holmes vs Young Sanford
Ken Norton vs. Lorenzo Zanon
Jimmy Young vs Jody Ballard
Ron Lyle vs. Stan Ward
Roberto Duran vs. Edwin Viruet - WBA Lightweight Title
Matthew Franklin vs. Billy Douglas
Ken Norton vs. Jimmy Young
Jerry Quarry vs. Lorenzo Zanon
Larry Holmes vs. Ibar Arrington
Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Augustin Estrada
Roberto Duran vs. Esteban DeJesus III - World Lightweight Title
Carlos Zarate vs. Albert Davila - WBC Bantamweight Title
Larry Holmes vs. Earnie Shavers I
Alexis Arguello vs. Rey Tam - WBC Super Featherweight Title
Larry Holmes vs. Ken Norton - WBC Heavyweight Title
Jimmy Young vs Ossie Ocasio I
Carlos Zarate vs. Emilio Hernandez - WBC Bantamweight Title
Esteban DeJesus vs. Edwin Viruet
Alfredo Escalara vs. Julio Valdez
Bruce Curry vs. Adolph Viruet
Larry Holmes vs. Alfredo Evangelista - WBC Heavyweight Title
Alexis Arguello vs. Arturo Leon - WBC Super Featherweight Title
Ken Norton vs. Randy Stephens
Roberto Duran vs. Monroe Brooks
Wilfred Benitez vs. Vernon Lewis
Larry Holmes vs. Ossie Ocasio - WBC Heavyweight Title
Ken Norton vs. Earnie Shavers
Michael Dokes vs. Wendell Bailey
Jorge Lujan vs. Cleo Garcia - WBA Bantamweight Title
Roberto Duran vs. Jimmy Heir
Ron Lyle vs. Scott Ledoux
Larry Holmes vs. Mike Weaver - WBC Heavyweight Title
Roberto Duran vs. Carlos Palomino
Jimmy Young vs. Wendell Bailey
Larry Holmes vs. Earnie Shavers II - WBC Heavyweight Title
Wilfredo Gomez vs. Carlos Mendoza - WBC Super Bantamweight Title
Roberto Duran vs. Zeferino Gonzales
Michael Dokes vs. Jimmy Young
Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Andy "Hawk" Price

 

Don King made more than 100 boxers millionaires for the first time.

Let me repeat more than 100 boxers millionaires.

The first boxers to ever sign to make $5 million each for a fight (Muhammad Ali & George Foreman) made that with Don King.

The first boxers to ever sign to make $10 million each for a fight (Holmes and Cooney) made that with Don King.

The first boxer to make $20 million for a fight (Tyson) made that with Don King.

The first boxers to make more than $30 million EACH for a fight (Tyson and Holyfield for their rematch) made that with Don King.

 

Mike Tyson described him perfectly: "He would kill his own mother for a dollar."

Don King is one of the most evil men in boxing history, alongside Frankie Carbo. He murdered a man, and shamelessly stole millions from multiple fighters across decades. I literally know people who've been ****ed over by Don King, that's how evil he was. He wouldn't just target big fighters, he would target any fighter who's exploitable. He would encage people in extremely unfavourable contracts, and often gave them real no choice. It's either you were with Don King, or you were a nobody.

So yeah, Don King is that evil.

 

Nobody is doubting that Don King was an incredible promoter, he was unquestionably the greatest boxing promoter of all time. He was also a massive scumbag who belonged inside a jail cell.

 

Just some of Don King's promotions from 1980 to 1982:

Alexis Arguello vs. Rubin Castillo - WBC Super Featherweight Title
Leon Spinks vs. Alfredo Evangelista
Roberto Duran vs. Joseph Nsubuga
Michael Dokes vs. Earl Tripp
Larry Holmes vs. Lorenzo Zanon - WBC Heavyweight Title
Wilfredo Gomez vs. Ruben Valdes - WBC Super Bantamweight Title
Roberto Duran vs. Wellington Wheatley
Aaron Pryor vs. Juan Garcia
Leon Spinks vs. Eddie "The Animal" Lopez
Larry Holmes vs. Leroy Jones - WBC Heavyweight Title
Thomas Hearns vs. Santiago Valdez
Marvin Camel vs. Mate Parlov - WBC Cruiserweight Title
Michael Dokes vs. Ossie Ocasio I
James Scott vs. Jerry "The Bull" Martin
Roberto Duran vs. Sugar Ray Leonard I - WBC Welterweight Title
Trevor Berbick vs. John Tate
Michael Dokes vs. Ossie Ocasio II
Carlos DeLeon vs. Mario Rosa
Larry Holmes vs. Scott Ledoux - WBC Heavyweight Title
Saoul Mamby vs. Esteban DeJesus - WBC Super Lightweight Title
Wilfredo Gomez vs. Derrik Holmes - WBC Super Bantamweight Title
Larry Holmes vs. Muhammad Ali - WBC Heavyweight Title
Leon Spinks vs. Bernardo Mercado
Saoul Mamby vs Termite Watkins - WBC Super Lightweight Title
Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Roberto Duran II - WBC Welterweight Title
Carlos DeLeon vs. Marvin Camel - WBC Cruiserweight Title
Larry Holmes vs. Trevor Berbick - WBC Heavyweight Title
Alan Minter vs. Mustafa Hamsho
Larry Holmes vs. Leon Spinks - WBC Heavyweight Title
Saoul Mamby vs Joseph Kimpuani - WBC Super Lightweight Title
Michael Dokes vs. John L. Gardner
Greg Page vs. Alfredo Evangelista
Aaron Pryor vs. Lennox Blackmoore - WBA Junior Welterweight Title
Salvador Sanchez vs. Wilfredo Gomez - WBC Featherweight Title
Roberto Duran vs. Luigi Minchillo
Larry Holmes vs. Renaldo Snipes - WBC Heavyweight Title
Randy "Tex" Cobb vs. Bernardo Mercado
Michael Dokes vs. George Chaplin
David Bey vs. James "Buster" Douglas
Aaron Pryor vs. Dujuan Johnson - WBA Junior Welterweight Title
Salvador Sanchez vs. Pat Cowdell - WBC Featherweight Title
Wilfred Benitez vs. Roberto Duran - WBC Super Welterweight Title
Michael Dokes vs. Lynn Ball
Edwin Rosario vs. Ezzard Adams
Carlos DeLeon vs. Marvin Camel II - WBC Cruiserweight Title
Leon Spinks vs. Ivy Brown
Aaron Pryor vs. Miguel Montlla - WBA Junior Welterweight Title
Renaldo Snipes vs. Scott Frank
Greg Page vs. Jimmy Young
John "The Beast" Mugabi vs. Curtis Ramsey
Jeff Sims vs. Jumbo Cummings
Salvador Sanchez vs. Rocky Garcia - WBC Featherweight Title
Earnie Shavers vs. Joe Bugner
Ronnie Shields vs. Monroe Brooks
Tim Witherspoon vs. Renaldo Snipes
Larry Holmes vs. Gerry Cooney - WBC Heavyweight Title
Greg Page vs. Trevor Berbick
Wilfredo Gomez vs. Juan Antonio Lopez - WBC Super Bantamweight Title
Earnie Shavers vs. James "Quick" Tillis
Eddie Davis vs. Murray Sutherland
Saoul Mamby vs. Leroy Haley - WBC Super Lightweight Title
S.T. Gordon vs. Carlos DeLeon I - WBC Cruiserweight Title
Salvador Sanchez vs. Azumah Nelson - WBC Featherweight Title
Juan LaPorte vs. Edwin Rivera
Pinklon Thomas vs. James "Quick" Tillis
Wilfredo Gomez vs. Roberto Rubaldino - WBC Super Bantamweight Title
Juan LaPorte vs. Mario Miranda - WBC Featherweight Title
Renaldo Snipes vs. Trevor Berbick
Saoul Mamby vs. Monroe Brooks
Leroy Haley vs. Juan Jose Gimenez - WBC Super Lightweight Title
Leon Spinks vs. Jesse Burnett
James "The Heat" Kinchen vs. Ralph Moncrief
Azumah Nelson vs. Irving Mitchell
Larry Holmes vs. Randy "Tex" Cobb - WBC Heavyweight Title
Greg Page vs. James "Quick" Tillis
David Bey vs. George Chaplin
Carlos DeLeon vs. Ivy Brown
Jose Luis Ramirez vs. Frankie Moultrie
Michael Dokes vs. Mike Weaver I - WBA Heavyweight Title
Thomas Hearns vs. Wilfred Benitez - WBC Super Welterweight Title
Wilfredo Gomez vs. Lupe Pintor - WBC Super Bantamweight Title

 

King certainly was a slime ball but the fact is if you ever went to any of his cards, you couldn’t exactly say they were always built to enrich him. It certainly benefitted the ticket-buyer.

Notice today’s big fight undercards — instead of investing in undercard fighters to build guys for the future, they basically try to get away as cheaply as they can. Squeeze every dime out of every promotion, the future be damned. Very short-sighted.

I went to several King cards back in the day. I’m the guy who would show up at 4 in the afternoon for first bell and stay til a card ended at midnight or after. And I remember seeing guys like Simon Brown, Maurice Blocker, Buster Douglas and Julian Jackson in late-afternoon bouts with hardly anyone there.

The reason he did this was he had an enormous number of fighters under contract. And those contracts stipulated he had to promote X number of fights per year for each of them. So he stacked the cards to fulfill that obligation. If you were lucky enough to be at one of his later in the year, they’d be REALLY stacked because he might owe 30 fighters another fight each that year so you’d get 10 or more on a single undercard. The bout sheet looked like a phone book there were so many names on it.

He played the numbers game — if he signed 100 fighters with potential, a few of them could be built to be big PPV draws even if he lost money on the others. Some of those undercard guys I saw didn’t make it and were forgotten in time. But the ones I do remember, he was building them.

So yes, Don King was good for boxing if not so great for fighters (at least some of them — it’s pointed out above how many of them benefitted from him financially).

 

You guys trot out the same handful of people and say Don King robbed them.

Don King has promoted THOUSANDS of boxers over the decades. Thousands.

Don King is in his 90s ... and he's been all but retired for most of the last decade, and boxers STILL want to sign with him.

Don King, just basically goofing off from his home in retirement ... made Trevor Bryan a millionaire. Just playing around with the WBA's rules, he made a mediocre boxer who no one believes is a million-dollar fighter a millionaire.

Trevor Bryan could sue Don King tomorrow and say he didn't get all the money Don King promised him, and it is 100 times more than any other promoter EVER would've paid Trevor Bryan (or ever will again).

And as for killing a guy, Don King kicked a guy in the head on the street who owed him money long before he ever became a promoter and the guy died and he went to jail for it. King didn't want the guy to die. You don't get paid if the guy who owes you money dies. Even the people who prosecuted him didn't think he intended to kill the guy. Since the advent of YouTube, we've seen a lot of brutal fights on the street where people kick and hit each other in the head. Some die. Some are lucky and the people they kick or hit don't die. It happened. He was punished. He moved on.

So you can quit clutching your pearls, Don King hasn't killed anyone in nearly 60 years and isn't likely to ever again.

Either way, he did his time ... got out of jail ... made a personal fortune ... and made more than 100 boxers millionaires who weren't millionaires before.

And there have been promoters who have come along since who are far worse, and people ignore them and continue regurgitating stories that Don King kicked a guy in the head a half a century ago.

How many deaths has Daniel Kinahan - Tyson Fury's pal and promoter who keeps getting him all these Saudi offers - been involved in again?

And he's still wanted.