Promoter Don King was acquitted of insurance fraud Thursday in a court victory that left him vowing to “make this country better.”
“This is so great. I’m so thrilled,” said King. “The most important thing to me now is freedom.”
The federal jury was unable to reach a verdict on charges against Don King Productions Inc., which was added to the case after a jury in 1995 failed to reach a verdict on the same nine wire-fraud charges against King.
Late Thursday, U.S. Attorney Mary Jo White issued a statement saying prosecutors were disappointed by the verdict but respected the jury’s judgment.
Prosecutors alleged King, 66, had cheated Lloyd’s of London out of $350,000 in training expenses for a canceled bout.
– Lennox Lewis will defend his WBC heavyweight title Sept. 26 against Zeljko Mavrovic at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Montville, Conn., as part of his new contract with HBO.
– On the first day Mike Tyson could formally ask to return to boxing, Nevada Athletic Commission Executive Director Marc Ratner said he wants to hear from the former heavyweight champion personally before setting a hearing on his request for a new license.
