As reported by: Seattle PI
Ridiculous hair. A talent for overstatement. There was more than enough of both to go around Friday as Donald Trump led a roast of Don King at the Friars Club.

The boxing promoter merrily withstood a barrage of jabs, hooks and uppercuts. While King's electrified 'do seemed the obvious avenue of attack for Trump and the 12 roasting friends and comics, they instead began with a smoking gun.

"I have a catch phrase: 'You're fired,'" Trump said. "Don King has a catch phrase: 'Not Guilty.'"

In 1954, King shot a man who was trying to rob one of his gambling houses and it was ruled a justifiable homicide. In 1966, he was convicted of killing an employee who owed him money, but his sentence was reduced to non-negligent manslaughter.

Comedian Colin Quinn said that having grown up in Cleveland, Ohio, King's subsequent prison term was "upward mobility." He added that the hair of King, Trump and Rev. Al Sharpton, who was also there, "look like the three stages of a forest fire."

But few could resist the comparison of the two Dons.

"We have two slicksters up here today," said Sharpton. "One they call a mogul, the other they call a mugger. That's race in America."

There were several boxers in attendance for King, who has a reputation for swindling the fighters he promotes. "Smokin'" Joe Frazier, who fought Muhammad Ali in the King-promoted "Thrilla in Manila," was there - but no Mike Tyson.

"I know Mike Tyson is a little annoyed with Don King - he told me while parking my car last night," said Jackie Martling.

"Don King is a big ... thief, and everyone in this room knows it," said Trump. The "Apprentice" star couldn't help comparing his roast last year to King's. He boasted that his drew an audience 600 people larger, though comedian Pat Cooper later insisted Trump's guests had been "comped."


Article By: Seattle PI