By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-15 17:20:35 | Updated at 2024-11-27 19:41:10
1 week ago
On Friday night, boxing legend Mike Tyson will face YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in the ring just ten days after Donald Trump took on Kamala Harris at the polls.
And, as his former client looks to replicate Trump's triumph, legendary boxing promoter Don King lifted the lid on his friendship with the president-elect.
'He's a man of his word,' the 93-year-old told Mail Sport, attesting to the Republican's character.
'In fact, he has too many words sometimes. He gets himself into trouble,' King added with a wry chuckle.
King and Trump have shared an enduring friendship for more than three decades with the promoter even frequenting the president-elect's Palm Beach residence, Mar-a-Lago.
In the late 1980s King staged several Tyson bouts in Atlantic City, where a then young Trump was developing his real estate enterprise, investing in hotels and casinos in the metropolis.
Legendary boxing promoter Don King (R) lifted the lid on his friendship with Donald Trump (L)
Trump, King and Mike Tyson (far right) are pictured at the Trump Plaza in Atlantic City
Since then, Trump’s Plaza Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City is long gone, being demolished in 2021, and the former businessman has traded real estate for politics.
But despite Trump seizing a return to the White House last week for a second term as President, King insisted his old pal is no natural-born politician.
'We started together when he was in business,' he explained. 'You know, he's not a politician. He's learning, he's still not a developed politician.
'But what he's doing is recognizing the people. He recognizes others. And this is significant to me because my people are my most important assets.
'Loyalty and your word mean more to me than money. Money comes and goes, your loyalty and your word follows you forever. You've got to be able to deal with what's real.'
While the 45th president has never filed for personal bankruptcy, his companies have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on six occasions over the years.
But King argued Trump's comeback from bankruptcy was what earned his respect.
'We developed a good relationship because he was selling and what really turned me on to him is that he made bankruptcy a business.
The 93-year-old discussed the president-elect in an interview with Mail Sport
King (right) was Tyson's promoter when he became the youngest ever heavyweight champion in 1986
'Other people would jump off a bridge, if they lost everything. He took it and reduced it down and then bought all the stock for 10 cents that he'd probably be selling for a dollar. He bought it all back. Then when he came out of bankruptcy he made tenfold more money. I thought that was just genius.'
King, the architect of Muhammad Ali’s Rumble in the Jungle boxing match fame and Tyson's legendary career in the ring, emerged as a staunch supporter of Trump during the 78-year-old's 2016 campaign for his first term in office.
He previously attributed Trump’s stunning upset victory over Hillary Clinton in 2016 to ‘the will of the people‘ and some divine intervention.
Meanwhile, Tyson, who came to blows with King in 1999, is back in the spotlight due to his fight with YouTuber Paul Friday.
And King, who formerly promoted the boxing legend, admitted he isn't opposed to Tyson's fight with Paul.
'I'm happy to see them get some money,' he told Mail Sport. 'Mike doesn't need to verify or validate himself; he can just go and pick up the money. They say he's going to get $40m for this. I hope that's true. Mike is in it to win it. He ain't gonna quit. Jake Paul will be in for an evening of entertainment — and difficulty.'
'Mike Tyson is a fighter's fighter. He's given us some of the greatest nights in boxing history. I've always been a promoter for the people, by the people, and together, we've made boxing what it is today. Good luck and God bless Mike on Friday night,' he added as one final heartfelt remark.
