‘Has Always Been a Leach’: Boxing World Left Angered as Mike Tyson’s $100 Million ‘Mistake’ Goes Viral on the Internet

On 6th March 1985, Michael Gerald Tyson, nearing nineteen, defeated Hector Mercedes at New York’s Plaza Convention Center. A year-and-a-half later, he became the youngest world champion in boxing’s history after defeating Trevor Berbick on 22nd November 1986.

But, by then, he had handed over the reins of his career to the biggest promoter in the boxing world, Don King. The latter, who began his career in 1972, achieved worldwide fame with the ‘Rumble in The Jungle’. But, once the careers of Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes came to an end, it was time for King to latch onto the next best bet. With ‘Iron Mike’ becoming the undisputed champion, Don King became the sole overseer of the champion’s fortunes. At the outset, it appeared like a match made in heaven. But soon, fissures in the relationship rolled out in the open.

Fans couldn’t help but wonder if Mike Tyson and King are still in touch

In 1998, Tyson sued King for $100 million, but they settled for $14 million before the trial. ‘Iron Mike’ reportedly said, “He did more bad to black fighters than any white promoter ever in the history of boxing,”

A recent pic of the two legends started doing rounds on social media. No prize for guessing; it opened up old wounds.

One user couldn’t help but lament that the promoter relied on ‘Iron Mike’. But he pulled the latter down and made a fortune in the process, ruining his reputation to some extent. 

Read More: Boxing Legend Mike Tyson Reveals Why He Always Wore Black

A viewer clearly stated that Mike Tyson made the biggest mistake of his life by staying alongside the promoter. 

Calling Don King “Crook King“, another user remarked that he was the promoter when Tyson got involved in his life’s not-so-pleasant incidents. 

For one user, Don King’s smile resonated from all the money he made from the champion’s wins.

Another user said that Don King always used and abused the trust of those he duped. That was something that should have been nipped in the bud.

Stepping up the tempo, one user hoped on Mike knocking Don’s afro hairstyle off his head. But unfortunately for him, Mike is no longer the angry and vicious boxer he used to be inside the ring.

Another user commented, “King a blood s***r!!”

The promoter Don King; Anger and resentment

Rumoredly, Don King, paid his fighter less than what they deserved. For example, the amount paid to Muhammad Ali was short by $1.1 million when the former champion chased a return against Larry Holmes. Later, ‘The Easton Assassin’ himself went aboard and said that the promoter owed him $10 million for all the time they worked together.

In Tyson’s case, he realized King’s sway over his purse until he signed a deal with the WWF to participate in WrestleMania 14. Soon he discovered that Don King controlled ‘image right.’ And that King could be entitled to a cut of the $3.5 million he received from WWE.

Former Heavyweight champion Larry Holmes reportedly quipped his opinion, “Don King, looks black, lives white, and thinks green.” King was at the height of his career when Mike Tyson again became a champion. In 1994, he promoted 47 title fights. Among others, it included the bouts between greats like Julio Cesar Chavez and Felix Trinidad. 

On the other hand, by the late 1990s, a few boxers smartened up. They displayed a reluctance to sign up with King out of suspicion. For example, despite Don King’s attempts, British – Canadian boxer Lennox Lewis never came along.

Slowly but surely, his sway began to fade.

Watch Out for More: Best knockouts of 2022