Friday night, boxing legends Mike Tyson will face YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. I stood in the ring after 10 days. donald trump took charge Kamala Harris At the polling place.
And as his former client seeks to replicate Trump’s victory, legendary boxing promoter Don King has opened up about his friendship with the president-elect.
‘He is a man who keeps his promises’ The 93-year-old told MailSport.It proves the character of the Republican Party.
‘Actually, he talks too much sometimes. He gets into trouble.” King added with a wry smile.
King and Trump have enjoyed an enduring friendship for more than 30 years, with the promoter also frequenting the president-elect’s Palm Beach residence, Mar-a-Lago.
In the late 1980s, King fought several Tyson fights in Atlantic City. At the time, the young Trump was developing a real estate business and investing in hotels and casinos in big cities.
Legendary boxing promoter Don King (right) revealed his friendship with Donald Trump (left).
Trump, King and Mike Tyson (far right) pose for a photo at Trump Plaza in Atlantic City.
Since then, Atlantic City’s Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino has been long gone. Demolition in 2021The former businessman traded real estate for politics.
But even though Trump returned to the White House last week for his second presidential term, King insisted his longtime friend was not a natural politician.
‘We started together when he was in business,’ he explained. ‘You know, he’s not a politician. He is learning, but he is not yet a developed politician.
‘But his job is to recognize people. He recognizes other people. And this is important to me because my people are my most important asset.
‘Loyalty and your words mean more to me than money. Money comes and goes, your loyalty and your words follow you forever. You have to be able to deal with reality.’
The 45th president has never filed for personal bankruptcy, but his companies File for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection On six occasions over the years.
But King argued that Trump’s comeback from bankruptcy had earned him his respect.
‘We developed a good relationship because he was selling, and what interested me in him was that he had made a business out of bankruptcy.
The 93-year-old discussed being the next president in an interview with Mail Sport.
King (right) was Tyson’s promoter in 1986 when he became the youngest heavyweight champion ever.
‘Other people would jump off a bridge if they lost everything. He took it, lowered the price, and bought every stock he was probably selling for a dollar for 10 cents. He bought it all back. Then when he came out of bankruptcy he made 10 times more money. I thought it was genius.
King, who engineered Muhammad Ali’s Rumble in the Jungle and Tyson’s legendary career in the ring, was a staunch supporter of Trump during the 78-year-old’s 2016 first term campaign. It occurred to me.
He previously attributed Trump’s surprising upset victory over Hillary Clinton in 2016 to “the will of the people” and divine intervention.
Meanwhile, Tyson, who clashed with King in 1999, is attracting attention again with his match with YouTuber Paul Friday.
And King, who previously promoted the boxing legend, admitted he was not opposed to a Tyson and Paul fight.
“I’m glad to see them getting paid,” he told Mail Sport. ‘Mike doesn’t need to confirm or validate himself. He can just go ahead and take the money. He said he would receive $40 million for this. I hope that’s true. Mike is trying to win it. He won’t quit. Jake Paul will have a fun evening.
‘Mike Tyson is a fighter’s fighter. He gave us the best night in boxing history. I have always been a promoter by the people, for the people, and together we made boxing what it is today. Good luck and may God bless Mike on Friday night,’ he added in heartfelt final words.
