Fans Put Tyson, King Down for the Count

The really troubling aspect of Tyson-Douglas is that sleazeballs such as Don King can wield so much power in a sport with so much money on the table. The sport can bear all his excesses and call him flamboyant, colorful or eccentric as long as things go King’s way. But throw in a Buster Douglas calamity where King stands to lose big, and the facade drops and the man reverts to the ugly, fast-talking thug he always was.

The media think Don King is cute. Sportswriters tolerate and condescend to him, but never do they take him seriously as a threat to a sport they love.

They have played with the man, found him charming, paid him attention, made him at home on their turf. And now they’re outraged. You play with a dangerous dog, you deserve to get bitten.

CHARLES CHICCOA

Los Angeles