One of the most polarising figures in boxing recently gave his take on Anthony Joshua and his influence in society. Don King knows a thing or two about how to create, erase and improve a boxer’s career in many ways.
In Joshua, the infamous promoter sees talent and an athlete who can bring people and communities together.
“I like Joshua, he’s got great talent. He’s a great boxer, but he has a lot to learn,” said King in an interview with Boxing News.
King also gave praises to Joshua’s team and people around him, including promoter Eddie Hearn.
“That snooker guy, Eddie Hearn? I like him.” said King.
“People need to understand that he grows with everything he does. I really respect and admire him. He has great guys with him. I am proud what they have turned Joshua into, so let’s give him a shot, but they need to remember where they came from and who they are,” he explained.
“They have to give back to the community, relate and identify, and help bring people together, rather than separate them with divisiveness and hate.”
King also gave his take on the heavyweight division and the importance that it has, in his mind, on male boxers.
“There will always be something special about the heavyweight division – it’s manhood. It’s a vicarious pleasure, which taps into what it’s like to be a man. Unfortunately in this system some people of colour aren’t considered as men. So he is fighting to get manhood, recognised as being a man,” described King.
When speaking briefly about Joshua’s upcoming potential unification title fight against WBC World heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, King wishes the fight will have a bigger effect than just unifying.
“You have to bring them together, not just for a title – they need to be fighting for freedom, justice, liberty, and equality,” King summarised.
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