Boxing: Interview with Don King
Ike Enwereuzor - 1/7/2005
IKE: What did you think of tonights fight between Klitschko-Williams?
KING: It was the worst performance I ever seen in the heavyweight division.
This was a poor performance. This was a big disagree from bell one Williams
was the aggressor but he was taking
the beating. He (Danny) didn't throw a lot of punches and if Klitschko has
the killer instinct
he should have knocked out Williams before he did. It was a horrible fight,
if he had a killer
instinct Danny Williams wouldn't last three rounds. I didn't know how good I
was untill I saw this
fight between Klitschko and Williams. There was no buz, no excitement and
the arena was empty. There was no promotions, no fight and just a guy
beating a guy and the other guy is just taking a beating. Williams got beat
and didn't try to fight back. I couldn't believe what I was looking at, he
was just taking punishment and never landed a punch.
IKE: Hasim Rahman seems to be the next on line for Klitschko. What's your
thoughts on that?
KING: Hasim Rahman is the mandatory challenger and I know Rahman has to do what
he needs to do.
I think Rahman will knock Klitschko out. I want to go into a heavyweight
tournament which the public is demanding for it. All these heavyweights got
to fight each other, I'll ever put two brother together if they have to
fight so they have to fight. I didn't know how good I was untill I saw this
fight. I don't like to go to other peoples promotions but I came to this
because Hasim Rahman is the
mandatory challenger for Klitschko. I don't care what they say about me but
the heavyweight needs
unification and one champion standing out, so lets do it the American way.
I'll put them all together to fight each other, winner takes all. We don't
know who is the man untill we do the unification, they can't say Klitschko
is the best, they need to fight each other to find out who's really the best
heavyweight out there and I'm willing to put all my champions against each
other. Lets get them all the rumble against each other, Vitali Klitschko,
Lamon Brewster, Chris Byrd and Johnny Ruiz.
Lets find out who is the real heavyweight champion of the world. Chris Byrd
beat Klitschko before and Klitschko still don't want to come get a revenge.
IKE: Your impression of Vitali Klitschko?
KING: Klitschko is a good guy and very smart. He's a good fighter, I respect
him but I challenge and invite Klitschko to the tournament, if he said he's
the best as they claim then lets do it winner takes all, I'll put three of
my belts on the line. In fact, I don't think he'll last three round with
Hasim Rahman. Chris Byrd is ready to beat him again so how can he be the
best heavyweight when he's avioding to fight other champion in his weight
class? Rahman is his mandatory so let him fix his hands and lets get it on.
Klitschko at some point got tired of hitting Williams. Klitschko got to meet
these guys. They made him the best fighter but he's not. I don't want any
options I just want to make the fight happen. Danny Williams was the
aggressor but never countered him.
IKE: What's your thoughts on the heavyweight division today?
KING: They are all in the same level they can even help each other make more
money before they retire. The heavyweight division needs help and I think
this will help the division tremendously.
IKE: Who dod you think in your oppinon is the best heavyweight today?
KING: Rahman is about to fight Klitschko. John Ruiz, they don't like his style
but he keeps winning.
Chris Byrd beat Vitali Klitschko before so it's hard to say untill they all
fight each other. Ruiz is one
of the best but got to do something to eliminate critics. HBO wants options
what happen to
Bob Arum, Duvas, Cedric Kushner when it comes to Don King then it becomes a
problem. Klitschko can take out all the time he wants, I just want him to
agree fighting Rahman and he's going to get knocked out. If Danny can take
him 8 rounds then I think Rahman will knock him out.
IKE:Your views on the Hopkins-De La Hoya?
KING: How long? Not that long! Hopkins is a great champion but I gave him many
fights which he refused we gave him Joe Calza...........................,
Trinidad rematch he refused to fight. He sued me even though I release him
when he said he wanted to go. It was very frustrating so I let him out. Why
is he suing me? I told him if you want to go just go because he was really
frustrating.
Oscar De La Hoya is just competing. Most of them gang up because they can't
compete.
IKE: What would like to tell Hopkins?
KING: It's good to be in America
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