SI's Best Photos of Don King

For decades Don King was a driving force behind Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. He was the electric-haired, dynamite-voiced impresario introducing Larry Holmes and Mike Tyson. He gave boxing the Rumble in the Jungle and the Thrilla in Manila, spearheaded a heavyweight reunification series in the 1980s and milked every dollar out of a Tyson-worshipping public in the ’90s. No one understood the value of heavyweights like King; not coincidentally, no one made more money off them—in 2006, Forbes estimated that he’d taken in $1 billion off more than 600 bouts over 33 years and his personal worth was $350 million. As the legendary boxing promoter celebrates his 85th birthday on Aug. 20, 2016, we present SI's best photos of Don King.

SI's Best Photos of Don King

Neil Leifer

Don King comforts Muhammad Ali, who ices down his broken after losing a heavyweight title fight to Ken Norton on March 31, 1973 at San Diego Sports Arena.

Neil Leifer

Don King smiles alongside George Foreman as he talks with assistant trainer Archie Moore at the InterContinental Hotel on Oct. 26, 1974, before the Rumble in the Jungle heavyweight title fight between Foreman and Muhammad Ali in Kinshasa, Zaire.

Neil Leifer

Don King walks with Zaire President Mobutu Sese Seku and Muhammad Ali during a reception at the presidential complex on Oct. 28, 1974, before the Rumble in the Jungle heavyweight title fight between Ali and George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire.

Neil Leifer

Don King wears a shirt promoting the Rumble in the Jungle at the InterContinental Hotel on Oct. 28, 1974, before the heavyweight title fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire.

Neil Leifer

Don King wears a dashiki while standing in the ring before the weigh-in for the Rumble in the Jungle heavyweight title fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman on Oct. 29, 1974 at 20th of May Stadium in Kinshasa, Zaire.

Tony Triolo

Don King celebrates the Rumble in the Jungle heavyweight title fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman on Oct. 29, 1974 at 20th of May Stadium in Kinshasa, Zaire.

Neil Leifer

Don King watches Muhammad Ali speak during a press conference on March 5, 1975 in the lobby of the General Assembly Building at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. Ali announced that he would donate circuit television earnings to UNICEF and Africare to aid countries affected by the Sahel drought.

Neil Leifer

Don King blows out cigar smoke during a photo shoot on Aug. 25, 1975 in New York City.

Neil Leifer

Don King poses with Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier during a photo shoot on Aug. 25, 1975 in New York City, ahead of their Thrilla in Manilla heavyweight title fight.

Neil Leifer

Don King poses with Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier on the Sept. 15, 1975 cover of Sports Illustrated promoting the Thrilla in Manilla heavyweight title fight.

Neil Leifer

Don King hits the dance floor with Joe Frazier at the Hyatt Regency Hotel after Frazier lost the Thrilla in Manila heavyweight title fight to Muhammad Ali on Oct. 1, 1975 in Manila, Philippines.

Neil Leifer

Don King stands with a victorious Larry Holmes and trainer Richie Giachetti after Holmes defeated Fred Askew in their heavyweight fight on April 5, 1976 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Md.

Neil Leifer

Don King hugs a victorious Roberto Duran after Duran defeated Sugar Ray Leonard in their welterweight title fight on June 20, 1980 at Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Canada.

Lane Stewart

Don King poses with Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes on Sept. 16, 1980, ahead of their heavyweight title fight at the Sports Pavilion of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

Neil Leifer

Don King holds up the championship belt of Larry Holmes after Holmes weighed-in for his heavyweight title fight with Muhammad Ali on Oct. 2, 1980 at the Sports Pavilion of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

Neil Leifer

Don King holds up puppets of Larry Holmes and Gerry Cooney during a photo shoot in May 1982 ahead of their heavyweight title fight in Las Vegas.

Neil Leifer

Don King celebrates with Mike Tyson after Tyson defeated Trevor Berbick in their heavyweight title fight on Nov. 22, 1986 at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Neil Leifer

Don King speaks during a press conference as Donald Trump looks on at the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino on June 22, 1988, ahead of the heavyweight title fight between Mike Tyson and Michael Spinks at the Boardwalk Convention Hall in Atlantic City.

Neil Leifer

Don King stands in the ring before the heavyweight title fight between Mike Tyson and Frank Bruno on Feb. 25, 1989 at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Neil Leifer

Don King stands with Mike Tyson after Tyson defeated Carl Williams in their heavyweight title fight on July 21, 1989 at the Boardwalk Convention Hall in Atlantic City.

John Iacono

Don King stands with Mike Tyson during a press conference on April 30, 1990 in New York City.

Neil Leifer

Don King stands with Julio Cesar Chavez after Chavez defeated Kyung-Duk Ahn in their light welterweight title fight on Dec. 8, 1990 at the Boardwalk Convention Hall in Atlantic City.

Neil Leifer

Don King poses with Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis during a photo shoot on Nov. 2, 1988 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, ahead of their heavyweight title fight in Las Vegas.

Neil Leifer

Don King, dressed as Santa Claus, poses with Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis during a photo shoot on Nov. 2, 1988 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, ahead of their heavyweight title fight in Las Vegas.

Neil Leifer

Don King stands with Felix Trinidad after Trinidad defeated Oscar De La Hoya in their welterweight title fight on Sept 18, 1999 at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

Robert Beck

Don King poses for a portrait during a photo shoot on Feb. 24, 2003 in Los Angeles.

David Bergman

Don King poses for a portrait during a photo shoot on Oct. 28, 2005 at the Friar's Club in New York City.

David Bergman

Don King looks over papers with Donald Trump on Oct. 28, 2005 at the Friar's Club in New York City.

Kevin Liles

Don King sits backstage before the heavyweight title fight between Deontay Wilder and Eric Molina on June 13, 2015 at the Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala.

Kevin Liles

Don King greets fans before the heavyweight title fight between Deontay Wilder and Eric Molina on June 13, 2015 at the Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala.