Akbar Muhammad (Boxing Promoter)
Akbar Muhammad (Boxing Promoter)
Akbar Muhammad is boxing promoter. He is the President and CEO of Akbar Productions LLC**.** [8]
Early Life & Education
Pictured on right with his family
He graduated with an A.A. degree from the Essex College of Business.
He attended West Side High School.
He is originally from North Carolina but lives in Newark, New Jersey. He is a Muslim. Akbar Muhammad is divorced and has children.
Career
Senior Executive
Muhammad is a sports and entertainment executive with over 40 years of experience.
His experience spans from management and recruitment to television analysis, promoting, and executive producing.
He has negotiated with major U.S. television networks for major sporting events worldwide.
He has managed the careers of six world championship boxers and he recruited and signed Olympic gold medal boxers for Top Rank in Las Vegas.
Boxing Promoter
On left with Donald Curry, Marvin Hagler and Ray Mancini
Muhammad began his career in 1974 working as a general manager for Cornerstone Enterprises.
It was a promotion and marketing company specializing in closed circuit telecasts and licensing endorsements.
His clients included Don King and Muhammad Ali.
He helped run Top Rank in Las Vegas for twelve years before resigning in 1991. While at Top Rank he developed the 1980's Top Rank weekly boxing series for ESPN Sports Network that was aired in more than 50 million homes. He began working for Don King Productions in 1975 and he worked out of its original office in New York City. He was personal friends and adviser to former 1960 Olympic boxing gold medalist and three time heavyweight world champion Muhammad Ali.
Las Vegas Sun
The following article was published in the Las Vegas Sun in December 1997:
Having worn multiple hats in a lengthy career in boxing, Akbar Muhammad figures he can handle virtually anything that comes along.
The 46-year-old Las Vegan, a 10-year resident of the city, will have that theory tested after taking a newly created position with Don King Productions.
He said Thursday he has signed a "personal-service" deal with King that will see him become something of a buffer between the sometimes-volatile promoter and the fighters and managers he handles.
"I foresee myself as managing managers, "Muhammad said.
"I'll be a troubleshooter for Don, working within his support system and delivering fighters.
"While DKP is based in Florida, Muhammad did not anticipate having to relocate there.
"I'll remain based in Las Vegas," he said.
"Don can utilize my services whenever he feels the need and I'll be available.
" Muhammad has fought, managed fighters and for 11 years was a senior vice president for Top Rank Inc. He left that position in 1991."I feel like I've come full circle," he said.
"When I started off in 1975,I was working out of King's office in the Rockefeller Center in New York City. Now I'm back with him and we have something of a mutual admiration society. " He said he's qualified to resolve any boxing-related crisis King or his company might face. "I've done everything," he said. "I come with the whole package. I've been very involved in the business of boxing, especially since 1980."[1]