5) Thomas Hearns
During his playing career, Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns earned $40 million and held eight world titles in six different divisions. In 2010 he was forced to auction off many of his possessions to pay tax debts of $250,000.
4) Dariusz Michalczewski
Dariusz Michalczewski’s career earnings amount to around 30 million euros. He is a former WBA, WBO and IBF light heavyweight champion and WBO cruiserweight champion. This Polish-German boxer’s two divorces cost him more than 15 million euros.
3) Riddick Bowe
This former undisputed heavyweight champion earned $50 million during his playing career. His money was mismanaged by his advisors. Recently he was trying to sell his own autographed memorabilia at a flea market in New Jersey.
2) Evander Holyfield
This former undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight champion earned $250 million during his playing years. He is the only four-time world heavyweight champion. He owes thousands of dollars in child support.
In June 2008, a legal notice was placed by Washington Mutual Bank stating that Holyfield’s $10 million, 54,000 square foot 109 room, 17 bathroom suburban Atlanta estate would be auctioned off on July 1 2008 due to foreclosure, shortly before the bank’s insolvency. His net worth is now estimated at $500 thousand dollars.
1) Mike Tyson
This former undisputed heavyweight champion made more than $350 million during his fighting years. He holds the record as the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles. His career took a bad turn in in July 1991 when he was arrested for the rape of 18-year-old Desiree Washington, Miss Black Rhode Island, in an Indianapolis hotel room. Tyson claimed that everything had taken place with Washington’s full cooperation. He was sentenced to six years in prison.
Tyson retired from professional boxing in 2006, after being knocked out in consecutive matches against Danny Williams and Kevin McBride. He declared bankruptcy in 2003. According to him, his promoter Don King robbed him of $100 million. He sued the promoter in 2003, but decided to settle out of court for $14 million. His current net worth is estimated at $1 million.
The lives of the above-mentioned boxing champions hold a lesson for professional boxers worldwide.
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