Washington - Don King, the controversial boxing promoter known for using the slogan "only in America" to describe his rise from a second-degree murder conviction to the pinnacle of the sport, says he believes Barack Obama will restore United States' standing in the world.

"It ain't just an election for America, it's an election for the world," said King, who earned millions of dollars over decades promoting fights that included greats Mohammed Ali, George Foreman, Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield.

King spoke with Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa while attending Obama's inauguration Tuesday at the Capitol building.

King embraced Obama's pledge to seek more dialogue with US foes Iran and Cuba.

"If you can't talk to your enemy, you have no way of communicating with your enemy," King said.

King, 76, has been a longtime controversial figure in American sports, and has faced numerous multi-million dollar lawsuits over the years from boxers, including former champs Lennox Lewis and Tyson, who argued he cheated them out of money.

King had several run-ins with the law during his younger days in the 1950s and 1960s. He was charged with two murders. In the first case it was ruled he acted in self-defence. He was convicted of second-degree murder in another case, but that was later reduced to negligent homicide. He spent four years in prison. (dpa)