Don King, 81, sits at his desk at his South Florida office, which is more like a museum than an office. Known as a boxing promoter, King says he aspires to use the sport "as a catalyst to bring people together."
Don King: Through the years —
Don King, 81, sits at his desk at his South Florida office, which is more like a museum than an office. Known as a boxing promoter, King says he aspires to use the sport "as a catalyst to bring people together."
Kim Segal/CNN
Before gaining fame as a boxing promoter, Don King -- seen here in 1978 -- ran an illegal gambling operation on the streets of Cleveland, Ohio. He got his first big break in 1974 after organizing the "Rumble in the Jungle," the heavyweight championship fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo).
Don King: Through the years —
Before gaining fame as a boxing promoter, Don King -- seen here in 1978 -- ran an illegal gambling operation on the streets of Cleveland, Ohio. He got his first big break in 1974 after organizing the "Rumble in the Jungle," the heavyweight championship fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo).
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In the 1980s, King became inextricably linked to heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson, seen here during the 1988 World Boxing Council convention in Mexico City. Tyson later sued King for fraud; the case was settled in court for $14 million.
Don King: Through the years —
In the 1980s, King became inextricably linked to heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson, seen here during the 1988 World Boxing Council convention in Mexico City. Tyson later sued King for fraud; the case was settled in court for $14 million.
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King poses with heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, right, and challenger Mike Tyson before a 1997 rematch. During the fight, Tyson famously bit off part of Holyfield's ear.
Don King: Through the years —
King poses with heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, right, and challenger Mike Tyson before a 1997 rematch. During the fight, Tyson famously bit off part of Holyfield's ear.
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King applauds during a speech in August 2000 by the Rev. Al Sharpton during a celebration honoring the 37th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech in Washington, D.C.
Don King: Through the years —
King applauds during a speech in August 2000 by the Rev. Al Sharpton during a celebration honoring the 37th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech in Washington, D.C.
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With Republican National Committee chairman Ed Gillespie by his side, King speaks at a 2004 victory celebration for newly re-elected President George W. Bush. King says he is not loyal to either political party. "I'm a 'Republicrat' and that means that I'm for the American people first and the party second."
Don King: Through the years —
With Republican National Committee chairman Ed Gillespie by his side, King speaks at a 2004 victory celebration for newly re-elected President George W. Bush. King says he is not loyal to either political party. "I'm a 'Republicrat' and that means that I'm for the American people first and the party second."
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King shows off his "Only in America" denim jacket at a 2003 press event. While he publicly embraces the caricature of himself that he has spent decades creating, King is often quiet and deep in his thoughts when he's out of the limelight, according to his son, Karl.
Don King: Through the years —
King shows off his "Only in America" denim jacket at a 2003 press event. While he publicly embraces the caricature of himself that he has spent decades creating, King is often quiet and deep in his thoughts when he's out of the limelight, according to his son, Karl.
AFP/Getty Images