Don King, Bob Arum Still Going Strong in Promoting Game

NEW YORK -- Two legendary boxing promoters stood at B.B. King's Blues Club and Grill Wednesday in Times Square fielding questions from the media about an upcoming boxing fight they were promoting.

One stood holding a glass of brandy, wearing a blue denim jacket with pictures of him embedded on it, diamond crosses hanging from his neck. The other looked as if he had just walked out of a Goldman Sachs meeting wearing a blue suit and tie.

One could be heard throughout the room, boasting loudly about how his fighter was going to "woop" the other as a pack of reporters huddled around.

The other spoke so lowly reporters had to stand closely to hear the promoter talk about the state of boxing.

Don King and Bob Arum are not likely business partners. Arum, a Harvard graduate who looks every bit the part, is on another end of the spectrum compared to the flamboyant, boisterous and confident King, who once said he graduated from the "University of Ghetto."

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The two were promoting a March 12 fight card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The fight features 37-year-old former world champion Ricardo Mayorga of Managua, Nicaragua, against WBA junior middleweight titlist Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico.

Arum, the Top Rank Promotions CEO, represents Cotto while King represents Mayorga.

Despite King and Arum's rivalry in the past, they are two business men burying their egos to sell a fight.

"We don't play nice but we respect each other," said Arum. " We talk on the phone. We're two old cogs who reminisce. I take my hat off to him. He knows how to sell a fight."

King said he enjoys the reconnection with Arum but admits they are not from the same seed.

"I call him lonesome Bob," said King. "He didn't mingle too much with people. I'm the kind to ingratiate myself to everyone. But Bob is mellowing now and extending his hand because he has an opportunity for success. I am so happy for him."

Arum's and King's promotional history dates back over 40 years. Their biggest fight was Muhammad Ali's 14th-round knockout of Joe Frazier in the "Thrilla in Manila" in 1975. The last fight they promoted was in April 2006.

In the past they have disagreed on everything from racial issues to simply being competitive. In 2000, King called Arum a "rat fink" for admitting during a federal trial that he bribed the International Boxing Federation president in order to gain a more favorable rating for one of his fighters.

During the press conference Wednesday, King was taking jabs, while Arum played along. They both knew their roles.

After Mayorga went on a rant about how he would knock Cotto out in four rounds, King got up and dared Arum to get his fighter, Cotto, to fire back. "Come on Bob, get your man," King said with his infamous laugh.

Arum got up like a calm politician and said Cotto and his camp weren't worried.

"I don't know about that," King interjected. "Don't play lawyer now, Bob. Get Miguel [Cotto] up there."


For now, the two 79-year-olds will continue to coexist for the good of the sport.

"With these two guys they are fire and ice," said Christy Martin, who will be on the fight card and is returning to the ring to get her 50th win after her husband allegedly tried to murder her last year. "But they are the best ever. For them to get back together there is nothing better for boxing."

King and Arum have teamed up as a result of their mutual promotional differences with Golden Boy Promotions. Arum said Golden Boy and Oscar De La Hoya haven't presented a fight that makes a fair matchup.

King admitted he was working on speaking with Floyd Mayweather Jr. to get a Manny Pacquiao-Mayweather fight. Pacquiao is represented by Arum.

Arum said that the event marked a sea change in boxing: the promoters taking back the business from the networks.

"Recently the promoters dance to what the networks say," said Arum. "That is done now. We are going to do what is best for our fans and fighters."

Outside of the ring, King and Arum have both endured similar life situations, both losing loved ones. King, his wife, and Arum, his son, in recent months.

They are also growing old.

"It's great to be working with a great professional and promoter," said King. "We're both 79. How much more time do we have? Make peace now."

So, are King and Arum here to stay?

"Wait until you see it's not going to last," Arum said.

He couldn't help but crack a laugh.