Connect with us

Articles of 2004

Don King Wants Some Sympathy

Published

on

Hey Don, why didn't you tell us things were so bad? Why didn't you let us know? Maybe we could have done something to help – held a bake sale, said a prayer in church, contacted our Congressman.

Done something to ease the strain.

Of course, Don King is that kind of guy. He never told us the mean little secret he's been hiding, that the celebrated life of one of America's premier boxing promoters was actually a living hell.

How come we didn't see it?

To put it in Don's own words after recently announcing plans to start up a television boxing network: “I'm not going to be an indentured servant anymore.”

Yep, life must have been hell.

I've never seen a list of King's assets, but I'm pretty sure he flies first class when his Lear Jet is being serviced. I don't think he shops at K-Mart, and I doubt if he prowls Norm's Used Car Lot in Lauderdale looking for a deal on a Buick. And I sure can't see him going to Wendy's late at night when his stomach starts to growl.

He's a little beyond indentured servant status, but we get the point. That's one thing King always makes sure of.

King blames HBO for failing to properly promote his fights. He's also a little miffed over his lack of air time. He blames fight commentator Larry Merchant for everything from flu season to the rise in gas prices.

“I have remained silent about my lack of air time and the way they (HBO) ignore the WBA, WBC, IBF and other organizations, hiding behind the veil of journalistic integrity,” said King, no longer remaining silent. “What they are doing is diminishing the sport of boxing to serve their own selfish interests to control the fight game.”

That last line should be included in the introduction to King's autobiography.

He goes on.

“It is all HBO's way or no way. They got guys now that they're all trained to keep Don King off the camera. Don't let Don King be seen, yet I'm the laborer. It's almost like slavery. You do the work and they get the pay and they be the master. I can't live like that.”

First off, the guys “trained” to keep King off camera, probably aren't paid enough. That's got to be a full-time, stress-filled job, trying to keep King from sneaking into the background in front of the lens, a big smile and that funny hair thing catching everyone's attention.

Second, I always thought the guys fighting in the ring were the laborers, not the promoter, not the commentators, not the ring girls. Besides, I never felt too sorry for a promoter. He's a busy guy, but his only risk is his bank account. He doesn't piss blood or feel his bones snap or wake up two days after a fight struggling just to get out of bed. So I sure don't care if I see him on camera.

And finally, how can a guy like King possibly compare his position to slavery? Didn't anyone break out laughing when they heard that? Was anyone insulted?

No, I guess not. We suddenly remember where it all came from.

Unfortunately, that's something we can never forget.

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Thomas-Hauser's-Literary-Notes-Johnny-Greaves-Tells-a-Sad-Tale
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Thomas Hauser’s Literary Notes: Johnny Greaves Tells a Sad Tale

Boxing-Notes-and-Nuggets-from-Thomas-Hauser
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Boxing Notes and Nuggets from Thomas Hauser

Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

Stephen-Breadman-Edwards-An-Unlikely-Boxing-Coach-with-a-Panoramic-View-of-the-Sport
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

“Breadman” Edwards: An Unlikely Boxing Coach with a Panoramic View of the Sport

Avila-Perspective-Chap-326-Top-Rank-and-San-Diego-Smoke
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 326: Top Rank and San Diego Smoke

Late-Bloomer-Anthony-Cacace-TKOs-Hometown-Favorite-Leigh-Wood-in-Nottingham
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Late Bloomer Anthony Cacace TKOs Hometown Favorite Leigh Wood in Nottingham

Argentina's-Fernando-Martinez-Wins-His-Rematch-with-Kazuto-Ioka
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Argentina’s Fernando Martinez Wins His Rematch with Kazuto Ioka

Emanuel-Navarrete-Survives-a-Bloody-Battle-with-Charly-Suarez-in-San-Diego
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Emanuel Navarrete Survives a Bloody Battle with Charly Suarez in San Diego

Sam-Goodman-and-Eccentric-Harry-Garside-Score-Wins-on-a-Wednesday-Card-in-Sydney
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Sam Goodman and Eccentric Harry Garside Score Wins on a Wednesday Card in Sydney

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles7 days ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Avila-Perspective-Chap-326-A-Hectic-Boxing-Week-in-LA
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 326: A Hectic Boxing Week in L.A.

Hiruta-Bohachuk-and-Trinidad-Win-at-the-Commerce-Casino
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Hiruta, Bohachuk, and Trinidad Win at the Commerce Casino

David-Allen-Bursts-Johnny-Fisher's-Bubble-at-the-Copper-Box
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

David Allen Bursts Johnny Fisher’s Bubble at the Copper Box

Italy-Mourns-the-Death-of-Legendary-Boxer-Nino-Benvenuti
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Italy Mourns the Death of Legendary Boxer Nino Benvenuti

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles1 week ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles6 days ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles1 week ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles2 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles3 days ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles6 days ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles7 days ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles1 week ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles1 week ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

Italy-Mourns-the-Death-of-Legendary-Boxer-Nino-Benvenuti
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Italy Mourns the Death of Legendary Boxer Nino Benvenuti

Boxing-Notes-and-Nuggets-from-Thomas-Hauser
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Boxing Notes and Nuggets from Thomas Hauser

Hiruta-Bohachuk-and-Trinidad-Win-at-the-Commerce-Casino
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Hiruta, Bohachuk, and Trinidad Win at the Commerce Casino

David-Allen-Bursts-Johnny-Fisher's-Bubble-at-the-Copper-Box
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

David Allen Bursts Johnny Fisher’s Bubble at the Copper Box

Avila-Perspective-Chap-326-A-Hectic-Boxing-Week-in-LA
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 326: A Hectic Boxing Week in L.A.

Sam-Goodman-and-Eccentric-Harry-Garside-Score-Wins-on-a-Wednesday-Card-in-Sydney
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Sam Goodman and Eccentric Harry Garside Score Wins on a Wednesday Card in Sydney

Thomas-Hauser's-Literary-Notes-Johnny-Greaves-Tells-a-Sad-Tale
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Thomas Hauser’s Literary Notes: Johnny Greaves Tells a Sad Tale

Argentina's-Fernando-Martinez-Wins-His-Rematch-with-Kazuto-Ioka
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Argentina’s Fernando Martinez Wins His Rematch with Kazuto Ioka

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending