Evander Holyfield Net Worth

How much is Evander Holyfield worth?

Net Worth:$500 Thousand
Profession:Professional Boxer
Date of Birth:October 19, 1962 (age 60)
Country:United States of America
Height:
6 ft 2 in (1.89 m)

About Evander Holyfield

Evander Holyfield was born in the town of Atmore, Alabama to a different father to his siblings. The family later moved to Atlanta, Georgia and Evander began boxing at an early age, winning a boys boxing tournament at the age of seven. At the age of thirteen, he qualified for the Junior Olympics and became the southeastern regional champion at fifteen. After representing the USA in the Pan American Games in 1983, at the age of twenty, he went on to fight in the Summer Olympics in Los Angelas the following year, earning a bronze medal. Holyfield turned professional in 1984.

American former professional boxer Evander Holyfield has an estimated net worth of $500 thousand dollars, as of 2023. Holyfield was the undisputed champion at cruiserweight in the late 1980s and at heavyweight in the early 1990s.

The former world champion is the only boxer in history to have won two undisputed championships in two weight divisions. His first professional fight took place at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 1984, overcoming Lynol Byarm on points in the light heavyweight contest. Another six-rounder ended victoriously on points over Eric Winbush. He completed his light heavyweight career knocking out his final two opponents, Mark Rivera and Fred Brown.

July 20, 1985 saw Holyfield’s first cruiserweight fight, winning an eight-round decision over opponent Tyrone Booze. A return to his hometown Atlanta in August of the same year saw Rick Myers finished off in only one round. Jeff Meachem took a little longer, with the lights going out in round five. Triumphs over Anthony Davis and Chissanda Mutti meant Holyfield was getting closer to a crack at the cruiserweight title. It came after victories over Jessy Shelby and Terry Mimms.

Winning the cruiserweight belt

The fighter standing in the way of Holyfield taking the WBA cruiserweight belt was champion Dwight Muhammad Qawi. Evander Holyfield won the bout over fifteen rounds on a split decision, winning the WBA cruiserweight belt. The Ring Magazine described it as “the best cruiserweight fight of the 1980s” and “one of the last great fifteen round title bouts”.

Defending the Title

The first defense of the title came in 1987 against Henry Tillman. Holyfield retained the title after knocking out Tillman in seven rounds. Next followed a knockout win over IBF champion Ricky Parkey in three rounds, which meant the unification of the WBA and IBF belts. An eleven round knockout victory over Ossie Ocasio was followed by a second fight against Muhammad Qawi, this time disposing of the former champion in four rounds. Carlos De Leon was next to fall at the hands of The Great Holyfield.

Holyfield’s heavyweight career

Holyfield had one of the best starts to his heavyweight career, knocking out James Tillis in five rounds. Former heavyweight champion Pinklon Thomas was next to hit the canvas after seven rounds, Michael Dokes was up next, a fight Ring Magazine called “one of the best heavyweight fights of the eighties”. Dokes went the same way as Holyfield’s two previous opponents. Adilson Rodrigues lasted just two rounds, and Alex Stewart fared better, getting knocked out in the eighth. A fourth-round knockout over Seamus McDonagh followed before Holyfield’s crack at the title.

Winning the heavyweight belt

The shot at the title was against Buster Douglas, after Douglas’s shock win over Tyson. Putting up little resistance, the 246lb fighter lasted just three rounds, after a straight right hand saw Douglas hit the deck and was out for the count. Evander Holyfield had accomplished his dream.

A unanimous decision over George Foreman in his first defense of the title was followed by a cancellation of the much anticipated Tyson Holyfield clash after Tyson was sentenced to six years imprisonment for rape. Defenses against Bert Cooper and Larry Holmes came next, where Holyfield suffered the first technical knockdown of his professional career against Cooper, both fights resulted in victories.

Recovering the Title

The first of three fights against Riddick Bowe saw the first defeat for Holyfield, losing by unanimous decision. He recovered the title in the rematch on November 6, 1993., Holyfield went on to win the fight in a twelve round majority decision. The final battle with Riddick saw Holyfield lose in round eight.

Two fights against Mike Tyson with the first taking place in 1996 saw Holyfield win in the eleventh round on a technical knockout. The rematch was one of the most bizarre in boxing history. In the third round, Tyson angered by Holyfield lashed out by biting into his ear. After initially being disqualified, Holyfield felt he was okay to continue. Tyson then decided to go back for second helpings, and this time bit the other ear, taking out a chunk for good measure. Tyson was disqualified.

Courage? Strength? Determination? We can guarantee that those are three reasons he was successful because, without them, no professional boxer would succeed. Yet that just gets you into the ring for a heavyweight competitor. What keeps you there is fluid trance-like boxing skills; bobbing, weaving and landing devastating blows to his opponents, is how Holyfield became the Champ.

His trainer Lou Duva was undoubtedly an inspiration. The trainer was there in the corner on the night of the win over Buster Douglas that made Holyfield the world heavyweight champion. The ability to bounce back from defeats shows great guts and ruthless determination, all of which are ingredients to this man’s great success. And let’s not forget, Holyfield has always said he was inspired by the great Muhammad Ali, not a bad choice if you want to succeed in the fight game. For good measure, he has also said that his mom wouldn’t allow him to quit. He had to continue and he had to return home a winner.

Why is Evander Holyfield only worth $500 thousand?

Earning an estimated $230 million over his career, and at one time owning a 109 room mansion in Atlanta, Evander Holyfield’s net worth peaked at over $100 million dollars. With earnings up to thirty-four million for the famous ‘Bite Fight,’ boxing made Mr. Holyfield a very rich man. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t last. Evander Holyfield was declared bankrupt in 2012. His fall from financial abundance seems even more brutal than the fight game itself.

Failed business ventures, including a restaurant and a record label, as well as products bearing his name, went some way to the former champs financial fall from grace. The child support for eleven children didn’t help, either. Today, it’s reported that Evander earns an estimated $1.2 million a year from personal appearances, recovering from his debts.

Summing-Up

From Olympic bronze medalist to four times world champion. From a fortune of an estimated $100 million to an estimated $1.2 million a year. From cruiserweight to heavyweight with twenty-nine knockouts to boot, and let’s not forget the night Mike Tyson decided to dine out, on not one, but both his ears! Evander Holyfield saw it all in his career and while he may have had his ups and downs financially, he’s as known as the ‘Real Deal’ in the ring.

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