Bryan Loss Is The End Of Don King

The final asset of Don King’s boxing empire was demolished in Miami, Florida on Saturday night. Trevor Bryan was knocked out by a left hook at 1:58 of round four by Daniel Dubois, who now holds the WBA regular heavyweight title and has earned a WBA heavyweight title shot vs the winner of Usyk vs. Joshua II.

The 90 year old King has been a major force in boxing since organizing a Muhammad Ali exhibition fundraiser in the 1970s to raise money for a Cleveland hospital.  His first major accomplishment was producing the “Rumble in the Jungle” Ali vs Foreman 1974 super fight. Since then he has promoted hundreds of world title fights and generated hundreds of millions of dollars for himself and many others. But King’s historic career in boxing is most likely over now after Bryan’s defeat to Dubois.

As controversial and misunderstood as he was and is, King will forever be remembered as an enormously successful – and the most colorful, flamboyant and charismatic promoter in the history of all sports.

My favorite memory of King is hard to pinpoint, there are so many and it was an honor and privilege to cover three decades of his career. One is learning from one of his staff members that Don “loves your Biofile interviews” and he eventually hired me to interview all his boxers and add their Biofiles to his official programs. Also when I was doing a Biofile with him at Madison Square Garden and asked him his favorite shampoo he laughed at the question and said “I love you man,” and he also added that he could not reveal it unless he could sign an endorsement contract with that shampoo maker.

Daniel Dubois Quote: The only words are ‘and the new’ and I am just so glad it is now. It is happening now and we have made it real, my dad and my family, I’ve done everyone proud, the country and I can’t wait.

In the first round I was just trying to figure him out and see what he had. I said I was going to test the chin and I just went for it.

He brought out something in me, he brought out a wicked left hand! It was a punch-perfect ending, and I am just so happy. I had a few rough patches during this camp, but we pulled through and we got the victory.

I am just so happy to have got this world title. This is what all the hard work was for and, no disrespect to Trevor, but his “0” had to go and I was just in there on a demolition mission.

I am ready for whoever is next. I believe this will instantly make me a better fighter now. When you win the world title they say you become next level so names like Dillian Whyte and Joseph Parker are all on my hitlist. I will fight whoever Frank puts me in with next.

It has been amazing. Coming out here and winning a world title is what I dreamed of as a little kid and now it has finally happened.

Trevor Bryan Quote: “I’m feeling alright. I knew he was going to come out with big punches, and I was trying to land some and let him tire himself out. But I wasn’t shooting my jab enough.”