Round 12: A Gathering of Legends

By Mauricio Sulaimán / Son of José Sulaimán… / President of the WBC

I accompanied Julio César Chávez to a reunion with Don King, whom he hadn’t seen in several years. This was perhaps the last time they would see each other, and for that reason, it was highly emotional.
Julio asked me to go with him, and initially, we were going to visit him at home, but the great promoter’s health has deteriorated. Days before we were due to travel, they called me on his behalf to cancel the meeting. I spoke with the great champion, who insisted on traveling, even if it was just to see him. Upon landing, I was sent the address of the clinic where Don was located.

We drove from Miami to Boca Raton, and upon arriving at the hospital, we were told that Mr. King had just left after receiving a blood transfusion and treatment. I managed to contact his always faithful Celia Tuckman, who told me they were at his favorite restaurant near the hospital… the House of Pancakes. Don was hungry, and upon arriving, we saw a table full of food from a distance, just as the extravagant promoter has always traditionally been: pantcakes, waffles, eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit, hash browns, syrup, Tabasco, and coffee…

 Julio approached somewhat timidly, as Don looked thin, tired, and practically silent. When their eyes met, a huge smile broke out on Don’s face, as he said, “Julio, my son.”
The medical instructions are clear and emphatic: talk minimally and rest, Celia explained as she invited us to sit down while she stepped away.
Don King, wearing tracksuit bottoms and his red cap with the inscription “Make America Great Again,” signed by Donald Trump, slowly ate his food while sipping coffee… head bowed and quiet…
Julio, in his very particular style, said such beautiful things to him that little by little that enigmatic smile returned to good Don’s face. “There will never be anyone like you, you are the best promoter in the history of boxing and all sports.” “Thank you, Don, for everything you did for me; thanks to you, I achieved what I am.” It was then that the sparkle returned to his eyes, and his spirits were noticeably lifted.

After three calls from his doctors insisting that he go home and sequester himself to take care of himself, the great man stood up with t difficulty, took his walker, and we headed toward his car for what was perhaps the final farewell between this pair that made history in world boxing. By Saturday, they flat out did not accept us visiting him.
Don King, the greatest promoter in history, and Julio César Chávez, the greatest boxer in the history of Mexico and one of the best in the world.

Don King signed Julio after seeing him fight at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, struck by his style, from that moment,  knew he would be a special boxer. Héctor “Macho” Camacho moved up a division, leaving the WBC super featherweight world championship vacant. Don José (Sulaimán) already knew Chávez and did not hesitate to order the fight between the number 1, Mario “Azabache” Martínez, against JC, even though he was ranked number seven. This is how the career of the great Mexican champion began, undoubtedly one of the most successful and important in history, and the great majority of it was under Don King’s promotion.

*115fights

*107 wins, 86 by knockout

*37 world title fights

*Champion in three divisions.

*Undefeated in his first 90 fights

*14 years undefeated.

Don King came to boxing after serving time in jail. He emerged into the world with everything against him: those were years when racial discrimination was rampant; without capital, a man of color, and with a criminal record. Those three years in jail were his salvation, as he dedicated himself to studying, reading a great number of books, and cultivating himself, thus forging a life plan with great determination to succeed.

 He managed to become Muhammad Ali’s promoter, promoting some of the most important and successful sporting events in history, taking Ali to become a global figure with fights in Zaire, Venezuela, the Philippines, etc.
He completely dominated boxing promotion for three decades, accumulating a great number of records and achievements.

* promoted over 500 world championship fights,

* paid more than 100 boxers 1 million dollars per fight.

* holds the television audience record when 600 million viewers watched “The Rumble in the Jungle,” Ali vs. Foreman;

*the record for the largest paid attendance when, precisely, Julio César Chávez defeated Greg Haugen at the Azteca Stadium before 136,274 fans.

Known worldwide for his unique upright hair, charisma, personality, and confidence; ingenious, harder working than anyone, demanding and exacting, as well as a perfectionist. Fortunate are those of us who got to live through the Don King Era.

DID YOU KNOW…?

The year 1931 will stand out as the one in which three of the most important figures in world boxing were born. That great coincidence was always commented upon, as José Sulaimán (May 30), Don King (August 20), and Bob Arum (December 8) were all born in that year.

TODAY’S ANECDOTE

I’ve known Don King for as long as I can remember. I saw him standing in my living room next to Muhammad Ali. Don would arrive at the house and go straight into the kitchen, where he would sit down to eat, ignoring my mother’s preparations with tables full of food; he would serve himself directly and feast on Doña Martha’s dishes.
I saw Don José get into countless arguments with Don King in person and over the phone, strong discussions, but always seeking the good of boxing and the boxers. I saw Don arrive many times at the Lindavista league baseball field, where he would sit to watch the games of our Vagabundos team. He accompanied his soul friend when my uncle Héctor passed away, as well as the day my grandfather Elías died, traveling to the province small town of Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potosí, and we were even robbed at gun point in Mexico City  when I was driving the car from the airport to the hotel.
When my father was in the UCLA hospital in Los Angeles, Don used to travel to see him. He would sit by his bed for hours, and they would even fall asleep r; there was no need to say anything. Don King and Julio César Chávez were precisely the last ones to visit my father. There was always something unique, magical in the relationship between the three of them. Long live Don King forever!