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Don King
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In the two days leading up to the Vitali Klitschko and Danny Williams fight and then including fight night itself, doghouseboxing.com caught up with a number of huge personalities in the boxing world. Two of those personalities were Bob Arum and Don King … this is what they had to say …
Don King
In the midst of the Klitschko/Williams Press Conference, Don King entered the room and immediately there was a race to see who could speak to him first, this is what he had to say to doghouseboxing.com
Q: Don, it is nice to meet you at last. Although you are looking extremely well and handling the world’s media in a way that says to me that you still have what it takes to be the very best promoter in the world, but, when is Don King finally going to hand over his mantle to have a rest and enjoy life?
DK: Never. World Boxing needs Don King at this moment in time. Look at this press conference, there is no atmosphere, there is no buzz, I know what it takes to keep world boxing buzzing, I know what excites the media and I know what it takes to excite the fans.
Q: What did you think of the Vitali Klitschko and Danny Williams fight, more importantly what did you think of the champion’s performance?
DK: That is where you are wrong, that was not a fight that was a one sided beating. If Vitali Klitschko is pleased with beating up Danny Williams that's up to him. As for him being the champion he is only that until he meets Hasim Rahman.
Q: You mention or hint at the possibility of Vitali Klitschko meeting Hasim Rahman. How much work is left to make sure that fight happens?
DK: I do not have to do anything. Hasim Rahman is the WBC's mandatory contender. The purse bids situation is not a problem, or it is certainly not for me. I do not need TV revenue to make a bid, Klitschko's people might need it but I am happy the fight will take place. Do not ask where and when just yet.
Q: Do you have any news on any other of the heavyweights?
DK: Yes, I want people like John Ruiz, Chris Byrd and even Hasim Rahman along with the Klitschko's and every other heavyweight who thinks they have what it takes to be the champion to take part in a tournament. Lets stop messing around the public, everyone wants to know who the best heavyweight in the world is, the only way we will find out that is if there is a tournament. I am happy to organise that tournament and I am happy to arrange it with all of the world's boxing governing bodies. All it needs is for people like the Klitschko's to agree to it. It is up to you people in the media to help me, Don King, to organise this tournament. It is your job to tell the public this is a good idea. We need to find out who the true champion is.
Q: Don, without trying to be rude, do you think people do not want to deal with you because of the "options" you may insist on?
DK: Why is it okay for everyone in boxing to have options on a fighter, but, as soon as Don King asks for options then everyone gets excited about this? I am no different to any other promoter or TV channel, are you trying to tell me they do not ask for options?
Also fighters get well paid by me. Ask my fighters they are not complaining.
Q: Don, do you worry about people having a "pop" at you or accusing you of things?
DK: Hell no. I have more knives in my back than a porcupine has needles in his back!!!
Q: You are known as being very patriotic, even now you have two small American flags in your hands. Do you think this could be a problem in obtaining the Klitschko's agreement in taking part in your tournament?
DK: Hey, to get the Klitschko's agreement I would run around this press conference with Ukrainian flags if that what it takes (much laughter!!!)
Q: What news do you have on Chris Byrd and John Ruiz?
DK: They will both fight again early next year. People have a go at John Ruiz, but hey he keeps winning and he keeps earning his money.
Q: There were rumours on another boxing website that you were claiming to have promotional rights with Howard Eastman, the British Middleweight. Is this true?
DK: No.
Don, thank you for talking to doghouseboxing.com
Continue to Part II: DoghouseBoxing's conversation with Bob Arum
Bob was very quick to dispel the rumours
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© Copyright / All Rights reserved: Doghouse Boxing 1998-2004
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Interviews by Spud Woollatt (December 15, 2004) 
