The legendary Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez He opened his heart in an interview with Latin Lover, where he reflected on his relationship with the controversial promoter Don King, to whom he attributes both success and economic dispossession throughout his career.
The Mexican Grand Champion expressed his ambivalent gratitude towards Don King for his crucial role in his rise in the boxing world. “If I have to thank anyone it is Don King for all my boxing success, even though the fucking old man has stolen a shitload of millions of dollars from me.”he commented frankly.
The former world champion also acknowledged his own naivety in financial matters during his time as an active boxer, especially when it came to earnings generated from pay-per-view (PPV) events.
“I didn’t know when you won on PPVs and because I was stupid that happened to me,” admitted Chávez, highlighting how Don King took advantage of this lack of knowledge to benefit more than the boxer was entitled to.
Chávez revealed details about the way in which Don King managed his businesses: “Don King sponsored me purely at the box office, that’s why he told me: ‘I love you, Julio’”. Despite having sold enormous amounts of betting houses, Chávez regretted not having adequately capitalized on this income. “If I had collected Pay-Per-View, I would have made good money,” he said.
Despite financial disagreements, Julio César Chávez recognizes that his relationship with Don King was fundamental for his sports career, although the economic cost was considerable. This interview reflects the complex dynamic between athletes and promoters in the world of boxing, where success and regret can coexist in the same life story of the world’s great boxers, including the Mexican Grand Champion.
