Donald "Don" King was born on August 20, 1931, in Cleveland, Ohio. As a young man growing up in Cleveland's inner city, he briefly aspired to become a lawyer. However, to fund his education, he began working as a numbers runner—an illegal activity involving underground betting operations. Despite the illicit nature of the job, King quickly gained prominence in the gambling underworld and became a prominent figure in Cleveland’s numbers racket.
He enrolled at Western Reserve University (now known as Case Western Reserve University) but attended for only a year. King ultimately dropped out of college, choosing instead to focus on his more lucrative, though illegal, gambling operation.
In 1966, Don King was convicted of manslaughter after fatally stomping an employee who owed him money. He was sentenced to prison but was released after serving less than four years. This conviction would go on to influence public perceptions of him throughout his career.
In addition to his criminal record, King has faced multiple civil lawsuits over the years, many involving financial disputes with boxers and business partners. Although controversial, he managed to navigate these legal challenges while maintaining a high-profile role in the sport of boxing.
King's career as a boxing promoter took off in the early 1970s. His flamboyant personality, signature gravity-defying hair, and commanding presence made him a recognizable figure in the boxing world.
He gained national attention in 1974 with his promotion of the historic "Rumble in the Jungle" fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, which took place in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). The event not only made boxing history but also cemented King’s place as one of the sport’s top promoters.
Don King is best known for promoting some of the biggest names in boxing, including Mike Tyson, Larry Holmes, Julio César Chávez, and Evander Holyfield. His ability to organize large-scale boxing events revolutionized the business side of the sport. King's promotional strategies played a major role in elevating the global appeal of heavyweight boxing during the 1980s and 1990s.
Despite his contributions to boxing, King has remained a polarizing figure. Critics have accused him of unfair business practices, while supporters view him as a trailblazer who transformed the industry.
| Birth Date: | 20 Aug, 1931 |
| Age: | 88 yrs |
| Occupations: | Entrepreneur Actor Record producer |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Cleveland |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American boxing promoters |
| Net Worth 2021: | 150 million |
