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Published Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009 | 2:47 p.m.
Updated Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009 | 4:31 p.m.
Pedro Haces Barba, a.k.a. Don Bull, answers questions at the South Point Equestrian Center Monday.
NOW
His name was all over the ring as the matadors conquered the bulls during an afternoon of simulated Spanish and Mexican bullfighting at the South Point Equestrian & Event Center.
Don Bull.
As in Don Bull Productions.
As in Don Bull Malt Liquor. (Not really. There’s no Don Bull Malt Liquor. But you have to admit that Don Bull would be a pretty good name for a beverage that comes in a 40-ounce bottle and a brown paper bag.)
I wanted to meet this man they call Don Bull.
It may shock you to learn that Don Bull isn’t his real name. It’s Pedro Haces Barba, the name by which he is known in his native Mexico.
In California and Las Vegas, where he promotes bloodless bullfighting, it’s Don Bull.
It also may surprise you how he got the name.
On one of his fact-finding missions to Mexico City, South Point arena director Steve Stallworth was introduced to the bullfighting promoter. He was told Pedro Haces Barba, who speaks only limited English, owns 17 bullrings in Mexico.
“You’re the Don King of bullfighting,” Stallworth said, putting his fingers on the side of his head to simulate bull horns.
“You’re Don Bull.”
Haces Barba liked the analogy. So he adopted the name for doing business in the United States.
Besides, Billy Dee Williams was already taken.
THEN
All things considered, I enjoyed the matador defense of the Spanish and Mexican toreros better than that of the L.A. Clippers.
FYI: Drug money laundering. I'll bet the books show a full house.