Boxing promoter Don ”Mr 1 000 Volts” King, revealed on his arrival in South Africa on Tuesday afternoon that he was here to meet former state president Nelson Mandela.
”Words cannot describe how I feel about Mandela. He is the miracle man of the world,” said the controversial boxing guru at the Johannesburg International airport.
”Its great to be here in South Africa on the 10th anniversary of democracy where people, black and white, are working together for a better South Africa — same as what we are doing for a better America.”
The 72-year-old American will best be remembered for staging the biggest heavyweight bout ever, in Africa, between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) in 1974.
Ali beat his countryman in a fight which was dubbed ”The Rumble in The Jungle”.
”My visit to South Africa makes me reflect nostalgically on being back on the continent. South Africa is on the move.”
King, who floored the media with his extraordinary persona, took everyone by surprise when he revealed that president Thabo Mbeki was his friend.
He added that he knew Mbeki’s father, Govan, and Oliver Tambo — the two founder members of the African National Congress.
He will be the guest of honour in a five-bout programme to be staged by South Africa’s Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves at Carnival City in Brakpan on Saturday night.
Frenchman Jean Marc Momeck will defend his WBA cruiserweight belt against American Virgil Hill in the main contest of the tournament.
King described Berman as a man who speaks softly, ”but he carries a big stick. Being here to work with him is an honour”.
However his attendance at Carnival City has ”knocked out” ordinary boxing enthusiasts who will probably not be able to pay R800 to be inside the big top arena. – Sapa