Can Donald Trump ‘Make Boxing Great Again’ and Become its New Howard Cosell?

Donald Trump, the once and perhaps future President of the United States, has thrown his family name back into the wild world of professional boxing, a competitive space he once dominated in Atlantic City, New Jersey as a promoter and site host during the 80’s and 90’s.

“I don’t think people fully understand or appreciate just how involved my father was in that world,” said son Donald Jr. “Boxing is very much his world, where it all started. Now we get to integrate some of that history.”

The always outspoken Trump will provide his special guest commentary on Saturday, September 11th at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida when the legendary Evander Holyfield takes on Vitor Belfort in an 8-round heavyweight attraction. Picture this if you can: On the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Donald Trump will be doing his best impression of Howard Cosell live from ringside during a “Real Deal” Holyfield PPV. If Trump is truly uncensored and as “No Holds Barred” as advertised, things could get very interesting.

Or downright inflammatory.

“It may get more vicious than the fights,” said Donald Jr. during Thursday afternoon’s promotional press conference. “I’m sure there’ll be some politics mixed in.” “You don’t want to miss this special event,” pitched President Trump. “I love great fighters and great fights. I look forward to seeing both Saturday night and sharing my thoughts at ringside.”

Trump has been well loved by the great majority of attendees at recent UFC events. In July he attended UFC 264 in Vegas where he was loudly cheered as he was escorted to his seat.

In addition to his membership in the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame, Trump is also a member of the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame and a prime candidate for the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, NY. As President, it was Trump who finally pardoned Jack Johnson.

According to his Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame biography: “Donald Trump brought his knack for dealmaking to the Boardwalk and in less than one year’s time, he was the dominant player in boxing. In 1985, the Trump Era officially began with the Trump Castle, Trump World Fair, Trump Plaza and the Taj Mahal properties hosting nationally broadcast events on Pay-Per-View, HBO, Showtime, ABC, NBC, CBS, and ESPN. Thanks to Donald Trump’s vision and his bankroll, Atlantic City became the country’s new fight capital, the new Mecca of professional boxing.”

“Atlantic City became really big in boxing with Trump,” echoed Holyfield, an unabashed supporter of the man who gambled big on boxing. “He did a great job of promoting my fights. I truly appreciate the opportunities I had with Donald Trump. I was pretty much undefeated in Atlantic City. That’s where I beat George Foreman.” Actually, Holy was 10-1 in Atlantic City. His one loss on the Boardwalk came in 2002 against Chris Byrd, a unanimous decision defeat.

Today Holyfield is 44-10-2 with 29 knockouts.

Holyfield recently stepped in on short notice to fight Belfort when Vitor’s original opponent Oscar De La Hoya pulled out of the bout on Triller Fite.TV PPV after being hospitalized with coronavirus. Some have suggested Oscar is “fakin it” to avoid getting beat up by Belfort.

The “Real Deal” Holyfield, now 58, has not been in a boxing ring in over ten years while the Brazilian born Belfort, 44, brings his experience as an elite UFC cage fighter. Both are former world champions in their respective sports. And both are well past their primes.

At his best, Holyfield defeated some of the biggest names in heavyweight boxing including Mike Tyson, George Foreman, Larry Holmes, Riddick Bowe, Michael Moorer and Buster Douglas.

“Anybody who fought Evander was in for a rough evening,” said Trump. “He had the famous 10th round [against Riddick Bowe] and it was one of the greatest rounds in boxing history.”

“We thought Evander was knocked out but he came back.” “Evander was just brutal,” said the 45th U.S. President.

Belfort has boxed professionally only once, way back in 2006. His biggest combat sports wins have come in the cage against the likes of Tank Abbott, Dan Henderson, Wandelei Silva and Randy Couture. Thus, Belfort is a slight odds-on favorite to win. Holyfield claims to be in fighting shape. “I think I look alright,” he says. “But this is after two years of solid training.”

“Boxing is a game I know how to prepare for against Belfort,” promises Evander. “I’m sure if I was getting into his game I’d be in trouble but he’s getting into my game so he’s in trouble.”

For Belfort, it’s no trouble that Trump is once again getting involved in boxing. “I love having President Trump commentating on my fight. He’s a real fight fan and he always has been.”

All one has to do is look back at some old fights on YouTube to see that the Trump brand was everywhere you looked in boxing. Trump promoted the famous Tyson vs. Spinks fight (where Don Jr. claims to have sat on Herschel Walker’s lap as a 6-year-old with a bowl cut).

Trump events attracted the top celebrities. Boxing manager Jackie Kallen recalls: “The room was packed with A-listers including Jesse Jackson, Oprah Winfrey, Jack Nicholson, Warren Beatty, Billy Crystal, Herschel Walker, and so many others you didn’t know where to look.”

Will all this lead to Holyfield-Tyson III with some help from Trump and Triller? “I’ve been training for over two years because there were fights mentioned against other fighters,” says Holyfield. “It’s not that I miss boxing but people always ask me about Mike Tyson. They have offered me so much money that I would definitely take that chance against somebody I’ve already beaten.”

Holyfield was asked about a potential match-up with David Haye but the former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world didn’t seem terribly interested. “I don’t wanna think about it.”

Evander’s focus is on Belfort. And on Tyson.

Just how successful was Trump in the world of boxing asks the anonymous writer of Trump’s ACBHOF bio. “It might be difficult to track in terms of exact millions of dollars he profited but as far as the priceless power of branding, each time a boxing match aired on National TV, Atlantic City and ‘The Trump Brand’ was right there for the entire world to see for generations to come.”

In addition to Holyfield vs. Belfort in the Legends II main event, the undercard features British heavyweight David Haye in a comeback bout against Joe Fournier while Andy Vences faces Jono Carroll. Trump supporter Tito Ortiz is also in boxing action vs. MMA great Anderson Silva.

“I’m very happy to see that our President, excuse me, former President, Donald Trump is going to be hosting,” Tito told the world. “People are very separated right now. This is an amazing opportunity for this country to focus on what America is all about. Unity. September 11th is a date that we need to remember what happened 20 years ago. That is what I’m fighting for.”

Boxing Writer Jeffrey Freeman grew up in the City of Champions, Brockton, Massachusetts from 1973 to 1987, during the Marvelous career of Marvin Hagler. JFree then lived in Lowell, Mass during the best years of Irish Micky Ward’s illustrious career. A former member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and a Bernie Award Winner in the Category of Feature Story Under 1500 Words. Freeman covers boxing for The Sweet Science in New England

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