Don King’s hair doesn’t look as large in person as it does on television. However, boxing’s ultimate showman and promoter is indeed “bigger than life.”
With a diamond-crusted cross hanging from his neck on Tuesday at the Sheraton City Center, King proclaimed to the media, “I am King of the Mardi Gras.”
In fact, King will be King of Mardi Gras during the annual parade Saturday morning, about 12 hours before undisputed world welterweight champion Cory Spinks takes the ring in the Savvis Center to defend his crown against Zab Judah in a highly anticipated rematch.
“St. Louis has stepped up. It is beautiful,” King said of the crowd of more than 20,000 that will pack Savvis on Saturday night.
“The fight is a sellout. Millions more will be watching via the technology they did not have when hundreds of thousands came to St. Louis 100 years ago for the World’s Fair. We are bringing the world back to St. Louis.”
King has immersed himself in St. Louis this week, and the community has opened its arms to the often-criticized, sometimes despised but always recognized King.
On Wednesday evening, King attended the 53rd Annual MS Sports Celebrity dinner at the Renaissance Grand Hotel downtown fundraiser.
Today (Feb. 3), King is set to reign over a media luncheon and press conference at the Savvis Club.
The day continues at 6 p.m., when King will accept a Lifetime Achievement Award from the St. Louis NAACP at the Missouri Athletic Club, 405 Washington Avenue. In a twist of irony, the Missouri Athletic Club was racially exclusive many years after other similar athletic clubs had become integrated.
The King Appreciation Tour continues on Friday morning, when he will accept a resolution of appreciation from the St. Louis Board of Aldermen at City Hall and address the city’s governing body.
At 4 p.m., King will make yet another public appearance at the official weigh-in for Spinks vs. Judah II.
“The public is welcome. The people are making this event happen. It’s more than a fight, it’s an extravaganza,” King said.
King’s life has certainly been an extravaganza.
Born on Aug. 20, 1931, the 73-year-old King made athletic history when he became the first major black promoter.
While his critics curse him, King has managed to control the heavyweight title off and on since 1978.
His big hair made its debut during his first big promotion n Muhammad Ali’s fight against George Foreman in 1974, now known as “The Rumble in the Jungle.”
He is a former numbers operator who served 4 years for manslaughter (1967-70).
The U.S. Government took him on in a bout and lost a unanimous decision when King was acquitted of tax evasion and fraud in 1985.
He has promoted Larry Holmes, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Roberto Duran and Julio Cesar Chavez, among others.
While he has been accused of ripping off fighters, there remains an endless list of boxers who would put their fate in the hands of Don King, given a chance.
This includes Cory Spinks.
“I love being around him,” Spinks said. “I love to hear him talk, the way he uses words.”
And, at the first press conference, Spinks made it clear that “this fight would not be happening without Don King.”
As could only be expected for a Don King event, the sun will shine upon St. Louis. The weather will be quite like Las Vegas in winter. Look for sunshine and a high in the mid- to upper-50s.