Don King made his first official boxing-related appearance this afternoon since the recent death of his beloved wife Henrietta. That personal family tragedy and the recent publicity of Cleveland TSA officials stopping him to confiscate live ammunition in his carry-on bags might have slowed down other 79-year olds.
Not King.
Say what you will about Don King, (indeed what else can be said?) but he is always on his game. He is the most recognizable character in the sport and looks to reclaim his throne at a time when boxing appears on the comeback trail.
Recent Fight of the Year candidate bouts between Marquez-Katsidis and Maidana-Khan as well as next week?s Oscar-hyped boxing flick ?The Fighter? and upcoming FX drama ?Lights Out? hope to get boxing back in peoples? sports consciousness.
Who better to make it stick than King?
?The Don? returned to work in regal fashion to host today?s final press conference at Bongos Cuban Caf? for Friday?s ?Tribute to Freedom? boxing card in Miami?s American Airlines Arena.
The main event is a WBC heavyweight eliminator between #1-rated contender Ray ?The Rainman? Austin (28-4-4, 18 KOs) and #2 contender, 2004 Cuban Olympic gold medalist Odlanier ?La Sombra? Solis (16-0, 12 KOs).
The victor goes on to face WBC world heavyweight champ Vitali Klitschko.
In the co-main event, unbeaten IBF light-heavyweight champion Tavoris ?Thunder? Cloud (21-0, 18 KOs) puts his belt on the line against Colombian slugger Fulgencio Zuniga (24-4-1, 21 KOs).
Mr. King appeared genuinely touched by the respects paid to him from the gathered fighters and positively ecstatic by the lack of respect many of these same fighters paid their opponents.
Nothing sells a fight better than a little pre fight animosity.
Indeed, after heavyweight Michael Marrone (19-1, 14 KOs) sparked hostilities with opponent Darryl ?King David? Madison (15-1, 4 KOs) claiming: ?They say never to mix business with pleasure, but it would be my pleasure to kick his ass.? King quickly fanned the flames.
The master showman quipped of Marrone: ?Now you got to understand something, Mike is white?but he can fight! King followed this with:?He isn?t here talking trash like out of the ghetto, so we gotta see how Darryl?s going to respond to that.?
And respond he did.
Madison pounced to the podium to unleash a furious response, stating ?I forgot more boxing than this guy knows and ?He?s (Marrone) been talking about changing my name from King David to Burger King so here?s the King. I bought you something!? and tossed a Burger King bag of food at Marrone, screaming ?Here?s a Happy Meal for you Mike!?
King beamed as he introduced the ever- quotable Ricardo ?El Matador? Mayorga (28-7-1, 22 KOs) who spewed his patented profanity-laced invective at his latest foe, Michael ?Midnight Stalker? Walker (19-5-2, 12 KOs).
Mayorga punctuated his verbal assault on Walker by digging into his pants pocket to pull out his middle finger and then hurtling a water bottle in Walker?s general direction.
Walker responded by performing a ?midday stalk? in the center of the room, pulling off his shirt and challenging Mayorga to kick things off about 48 hours early.
Mixed-martial arts may draw more fans and TV attention these days, but they are light years behind the absolute artistry displayed within these few chaotic moments. They also have no one with the personality and raw showmanship of Don King.
Fightnews caught up with Mr. King as he grabbed a seat to wait for his car to arrive. It was a rare moment of quiet for him and he graciously assented to our questions.
Don, this must have been a terribly trying couple of weeks for you with the death of your wife and being stopped at the airport on the way home. How do you overcome all this?
DK: You must keep God forefront in your heart and in your mind. I put God first in everything. What happened at the airport doesn?t mean anything, it was inadvertent. I was coming back home from Cleveland and forgot, you know? They have good people on the job at the TSA.
There was a lot of sizzle between some of the guys here today at the press conference. Any plans for future events?
DK: I want to work again with Mayor Regalado and Mike Walker of the American Airlines Arena. We have the opportunity for a series of events. Mayor Regalado is a tried, true and tested representative of the people. He?s been through some of the same things as African-Americans; experiencing racism and bigotry. He was a reporter and travelled extensively throughout Africa reporting on the conditions there.
Fighting is about people. It is part of our humanity, it is life. The whole thing is struggle. When you take a pacifier out of a baby?s mouth, it will fight for it.
The only difference is with boxing, you can see your opponent in front of you and you have to face him.
We understand you?ve been speaking with Floyd Mayweather Jr. about the question that?s on every fight fan?s tongue these days. What can you say about the prospect of him and Pacquiao getting together?
DK: The only way to understand Floyd is to walk in his shoes. As Rudyard Kipling said ?Or walk with kings, nor lose the common touch.? I?ve walked in Floyd?s shoes and I understand where he?s coming from. Floyd will be coming down for the fight along with Tyson. We?re going to give them microphones. It will be like the Huntley-Brinkley report at ringside.
Afterwards, he and I will talk and we?ll see what happens.
Thanks Don and once again from all of us at Fightnews, our most sincere condolences.
DK: Thank you.
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One thing?s for sure, whatever happens next will be worth its ?wait? in gold.
Tickets for Friday?s ?Tribute to Freedom? bouts are still on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets ranging from $25, $40, $75, $150 and $200. Fans can purchase directly at the AAA box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (800) 745-3000.
Doors open at 6:00 PM with the first fight at 6:30 PM.
The Spanish Broadcasting Service will broadcast via its local television affiliate Mega TV.
One note: In addition to boxing legends Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather Jr. at ringside, Cuban-born rapper and reggaeton star Pitbull will perform as fighters make their ring entrances. Contact the author December 16th, 2010
