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Risking the future

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Mike Jenkins

As this weekend approaches, two combatants are prepared to enter the squared circle to prove who is the best fighter in the world in the welterweight division.

Saturday night in Las Vegas, Felix "Tito" Trinidad from Puerto Rico, the undefeated IBF welterweight champion of the world will face-off against Oscar "The Golden Boy" De La Hoya of Los Angeles, the undefeated WBA and WBC welterweight champion of the world.

The men are rated as two of the best pound for pound fighters of this era. Both fighters have knockout power. Both men have a general dislike for each other. This is being billed as one of the best fights of the decade. But as long as Don King, Trinidad's promoter is involved, corruption of some kind is sure to happen.

For example, take a look at the last heavyweight title match between Britain's Lennox Lewis and America's Evander Holyfield. Lewis wasn't given much of a chance to compete in this match. Holyfield even predicted a third round knockout. But as the fight went on, Lewis appeared to be the more dominant of the two fighters, easily going on to win the decision. Oh, not so fast my friend. Lewis was given a draw. He was give, a draw, he had not earned it. He was robbed. One judge even picked Holyfield as the clear cut winner. Who was Holyfield's promoter? That's right, Don King. King is still being investigated up to this day in connection with tampering the judges' decisions.

King has been in trouble with the law before. He has been to prison in the past on drug related charges. He as been tried for tax evasion charges, only for the trial to be declared a mistrial when a juror was tampered with. He has been investigated for racketeering and extortion. He has withheld the purses in the past from some of his own fighters, including George Foreman and James "Bonecrusher" Smith. Smith took him to trial, won and King had to pay Smith what he owed.

The big question is: Why do people let King promote them? Well, it's sad, but King is the person in the boxing world who is renowned for his ability to create the largest purses for title fights. Not Bob Arum, Cedric Kushner or anyone else has Don King's connections or know how to put together a title fight like he does. The hype that surrounds his title fights is unmatched.

With all of the hoopla surrounding this fight, I just hope that Don King doesn't tamper with it. If this fight ends up as a farce, boxing will lose many of its fans including me, that it has tried so hard to bring back.

Not only are De La Hoya's and Trinidad's futures on the line, but so is boxing's.