Boxing Icon Don Elbaum Passes Away at 97
By Gabriel F. Cordero
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 29 Jul 2025
Don Elbaum, a passionate and influential figure in the boxing world with a career spanning decades as both a boxer and a renowned promoter, passed away on July 27th at the age of 97.
Elbaum had a brief professional boxing career from 1964 to 1969, accumulating a record of three losses and one draw. However, it was his work outside the ring that earned him high recognition and admiration across the sport. His journey in boxing began much earlier, in the 1940s, as an amateur boxer. Notably, he holds a unique place in boxing history as the individual who introduced legendary promoter Don King to the boxing world in the 1970s.
A proud war veteran, Elbaum served in the Korean War and was widely admired for his sharp wit and great sense of humor.
His promotional prowess was evident in his ability to stage 196 shows in less than five years at the Tropicana Hotel & Casino in New Jersey alone. As a well-known New York resident, Elbaum owned and operated Don Elbaum Promotions, a company that ran an impressive nearly 358 events between 1958 and 2016. His promotions featured an extraordinary roster of boxing legends and notable fighters, including Sugar Ray Robinson, Willie Pep, Sonny Liston, Emile Griffith, Floyd Patterson, Bobby Czyz, Aaron Pryor, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Bennie Briscoe, Livingston Bramble, Rocky Lockridge, Lonnie Smith, Freddie Pendleton, Maurice Blocker, Marlon Starling, Roberto Duran, Lupe Aquino, Arturo Frias, Juan Laporte, Vicente Rondon, Nino Benvenuti, James Kinchen, Greg Richardson, James Smith, Leon Spinks, Vito Antuofermo, George Foreman, Alex Stewart, Sharmba Mitchell, Vinnie Pazienza, Simon Brown, Michael Dokes, Luis Santana, Alicia Ashley, and Jorge Vaca, among many others.
Elbaum's immense contributions to boxing were officially recognized with his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2019, joining a distinguished class that included Teddy Atlas, Lee Samuels, Julian Jackson, Donald Curry, Tony DeMarco, Guy Jutras, and Buddy McGirt.
At the time of his passing, there was a possibility of a book about his remarkable life emerging in 2025, as well as a documentary or film dedicated to his indelible mark on boxing.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Gabriel F. Cordero.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Itauma suffers injury; Magnificent 7 rescheduled to March 28
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 14 Jan 2026Top Super Lightweights Bryan Flores & Starling Castillo Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
Wed, 14 Jan 2026Harden surpasses Shaquille O'Neal's to become the ninth all-time leading scorer in NBA history
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 14 Jan 2026“It’s time, LFG” - Holly McMath Trilogy for WBC Title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Tue, 13 Jan 2026IBA President Kremlev encourages sporting organisations to protect women’s sport following Trump’s statement on Imane Khelif
Tue, 13 Jan 2026REYES, STRICKLAND, BUSTAMANTE & SOUQUET SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AT WNT LEGENDS – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Tue, 13 Jan 2026Pumicpic fights Korean in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 13 Jan 2026No. 1 rated WBA Super Flyweight contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez remains patient and Looks forward to a 2026 World title shot
Tue, 13 Jan 2026Ironman 70.3 Davao on March 22
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 13 Jan 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 12 JANUARY 2026: Dalton Smith Halts Subriel Matias in 5; Kabayel Stops Knyba in 3
By Eric Armit, Mon, 12 Jan 2026Chess Players Association of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (CPANOI) – 2026 Opening Event
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 12 Jan 2026STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
Sun, 11 Jan 2026Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 11 Jan 2026Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 10 Jan 2026‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Sat, 10 Jan 2026