The legendary Don King is still going strong, although the boxing spotlight no longer follows him as it once did. At 93 years of age, the veteran American promoter has once again made noise in the world of pugilism by winning the purse bid to stage the upcoming WBA heavyweight “regular” title defense between Kubrat Pulev and Michael Hunter.
The winning bid was $1.1 million and gave him the promotional rights to the fight, which is expected to take place on August 23, at a venue yet to be confirmed. Don King is already considering several options: Florida, Las Vegas, Ohio and Pennsylvania are on the table.
“Hall of Fame boxing promoter Don King wins $1.1 million purse bid to promote WBA regular heavyweight champion Kubrat Pulev’s fight against No. 2 contender Michael Hunter on August 23,” reads the post on Don King’sInstagram page.
What is known about Pulev vs Hunter?
Kubrat Pulev (32-3, 14 KOs), 44, was crowned WBA secondary champion last December, defeating Mahmoud Charr by decision. Michael Hunter (24-1-2, 17 KOs), meanwhile, comes in with a knockout victory in Mexico against Christian Larrondo Garcia.
For Hunter, 36, this fight represents a direct route to move up the rankings and get closer to a shot at a more meaningful world title. Pulev, meanwhile, knows that his time is limited and this defense may be one of his last big appearances in the ring.
According to a count by The Ring, the WBA ordered a four-fighter eliminator in April, with Fabio Wardley facing Jarrell Miller, but the latter was injured and his opponent will be Justis Huni in Ipswich, London on June 7 for the interim version of the secondary belt.
In the other bracket is the aforementioned Pulev vs Hunter, with the winners to meet by December 31, for a title that confuses many, because the WBA “super” heavyweight champion is Oleksandr Usyk, who also holds the The Ring, WBC and WBO belts, while Daniel Dubois is the IBF monarch after knocking out Anthony Joshua in September.
Usyk and Dubois will face off for the undisputed title at Wembley Stadium on July 19.
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