Don King... good or bad for boxing?

[john l]

This guy did nothing good for boxing esp in long run.Both he and Arum deserve most of blame for boxing being where its at compared to when they started.

[OctoberRed]

This guy did nothing good for boxing esp in long run.Both he and Arum deserve most of blame for boxing being where its at compared to when they started.

De La Hoya following in their footsteps.

[Zaroku]

Has Don King's influence on boxing been overall positive or negative?

The general consensus seems to be that he is a blight on boxing. That his presence in the sport has been detrimental to fighters, fans, and just about everyone else involved in boxing. He is an incredibly conniving man, even for a promoter.

But, on the flip side, King made a lot of great fights happen. And usually in a timely manner.

One could argue that those fights would have happened anyways; I disagree. He had enough influence to bring both fighters to a table... even though he was figuratively picking their pockets while they say at that table.

And even if those big fights- Foreman/Ali were eventually going to happen, Don was still the guy who made them happen.

To put it another way: Someone- either the USA or the USSR was going to get to the Moon first. It was inevitable. But the United States made it happen. Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the Moon. The fact that the Soviets would have gotten there anyway doesn't negate NASA's achievement.

Thoughts?

Love your sig photo, check out Don King in the comedy thing.

https://*************/watch?v=cBQiLh9N6kg

[Zaroku]

De La Hoya following in their footsteps.

Exactly... Well said. Green sent! Thanks.

[john l]

De La Hoya following in their footsteps.

Yea agree.Knew he would be no different when he pulled an ole Don King trick and showed up at airport with bag full of cash and got Manny to sign.And when smoke cleared Arum contract stood and Pac had to pay BOTH for a couple/few fights.

[embryo]

Bad. If not for him, Mike Tyson might be the greatest heavyweight of all time, an American hero, Muhammad Ali might have lived longer.

[OctoberRed]

Bad. If not for him, Mike Tyson might be the greatest heavyweight of all time, an American hero, Muhammad Ali might have lived longer.

I think Tyson was his worst enemy, Ali too. They used King as much as he used them.