Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, July 15, 1994 TAG: 9407160017
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The promoter, president of Don King Productions Inc., allegedly sought the money after a 1991 fight between Julio Cesar Chavez and Harold Brazier was canceled because Chavez had suffered a cut during training.
``I am completely innocent,'' King said in a written statement. ``I have done nothing to warrant this action. I believe in the American system of justice. ... I will be cleared.''
King allegedly tried to get money from Lloyd's by filing a contract with the London-based insurer that was not the contract actually signed between King and Chavez.
King, who lives in Oakland Park, Fla., claimed his losses stemmed from non-refundable training expenses he paid Chavez, according to the indictment.
The nine-count indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in Manhattan, said King lied when he claimed the training fees were non-refundable, then did not tell Chavez he had recovered insurance money for training expenses.
If convicted, King faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count. He was not arrested, but was told to appear for arraignment July 21.
King has promoted some of the biggest fights in boxing history, including Buster Douglas' stunning upset of Mike Tyson in Tokyo on Feb.11, 1990, the ``Rumble in the Jungle'' between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman on Oct.30, 1974, and the ``Thrilla in Manila'' between Ali and Joe Frazier on Oct.1, 1975.
He also has promoted such champions as Sugar Ray Leonard, Larry Holmes and Roberto Duran. In all, he has promoted nearly 300 championship fights, more than 20 each in 1983 and 1993.
Along the way, King has become almost as well known for his legal problems as he has for his frizzy hair, fur coats and expensive jewels.
His troubles began in 1954, when he killed a man who was robbing a numbers house operated by King in Cleveland. That was ruled self-defense. In 1967, King was convicted in Cleveland of beating to death Sam Garrett, a man who owed him money, and he served four years in prison. He was pardoned in 1983 by Gov. James A. Rhodes.
While serving time at Ohio's Marion Correctional Institute, King found his destiny when he wrote to Ali.
By 1974, he had signed Ali and Foreman to fight in Zaire for a $10 million purse. His reputation polished, he followed the big money and embraced the winners, courting each new champion until he was a client.
As his wealth grew, King accumulated properties, including a New York brownstone, an Ohio farm and for a time, an office at Rockefeller Center.
In the past two decades, he has found himself increasingly embroiled in legal quarrels with boxers or their handlers.
King's last star client, Tyson, came to him over the objections of Tyson's former manager, Bill Cayton. Their dispute caused a federal judge to order an accounting of Tyson's earnings, a process that produced allegations King had skimmed millions from the former champion's purses. King and Cayton reached a settlement, and Tyson is serving time in an Indiana prison after being convicted of rape.
An affidavit filed in the insurance-fraud case by Joseph A. Maffia, former chief financial officer for King, alleged the promoter diverted income earned by Tyson to King's family and operation.
Maffia alleged $200,000 per fight went to King's wife and two sons for ``consultant fees,'' while a $52,000 salary was paid to King's daughter, Debbie, to serve as president of a Mike Tyson fan club and a $15,000 per fight fee went to her husband, Greg Lee.
Most of King's legal difficulties have not amounted to anything more than a distraction.
by CNB