Don King's net worth is notoriously difficult to ascertain due to his complex financial history, numerous lawsuits, and significant debts. However, based on available public records, legal judgments, and historical revenue figures from boxing promotions, here are the key facts:
Estimated Peak & Current Net Worth
King's peak net worth likely reached its height in the late 1980s and early 1990s, often estimated at between $100 million and $150 million, primarily driven by blockbuster fights involving Mike Tyson, Julio César Chávez, and others.
Current reliable estimates place his net worth significantly lower, likely in the range of $10 million to $50 million as of 2024. Some reports place it even lower, potentially near $1 million.
Major Sources of Wealth
- Boxing Promotion: King earned vast sums as the premier boxing promoter for decades. He secured lucrative television deals and took substantial percentages (often around 30-50%) from fighters' purses for major events.
- Event Revenue: Revenue streams included pay-per-view sales, site fees (from casinos/cities hosting fights), ticket sales, and international broadcasting rights for mega-fights.
Significant Financial Drain & Controversies
- Legal Settlements & Judgments: King has paid well over $100 million to settle lawsuits from fighters like Muhammad Ali, Larry Holmes, Tim Witherspoon, and especially Mike Tyson. Tyson alone reportedly received over $30 million to settle claims King underpaid him.
- Tax Liens: The IRS has filed numerous multi-million dollar tax liens against King over the years, significantly impacting his assets.
- Promotion Decline: His prominence and revenue generation declined sharply after losing key fighters (like Tyson to rival promoters) and as major networks became hesitant to work with him due to his reputation and legal issues.
The Bottom Line
While Don King generated enormous sums of money (documented payouts to fighters he promoted exceed $1 billion), his actual personal net worth has been heavily eroded by massive payouts to settle legal claims and significant tax obligations. The common perception of him as a billionaire is inaccurate. His current wealth is a fraction of his peak earnings and remains clouded by outstanding financial complexities.
