sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
The incredible amount Mike Tyson was paid for his first ever pro fight as stunning payslip revealed
Home>Boxing>Boxing News
Published 13:28 25 Apr 2024 GMT+1

The incredible amount Mike Tyson was paid for his first ever pro fight as stunning payslip revealed

Mike Tyson earned a measly amount for his professional debut.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Mike Tyson took home a tiny paycheck following his blistering win over Hector Mercedes in his professional boxing debut.

Tyson made his bow in the pro ranks back in March 1985 when he fought Mercedes, who was 19 years of age and 0-3 in his three pro fights.

And 'Iron' Mike, just 18 at the time, made light work of the Puerto Rican fighter, stopping him in the very first round.

Sporting white trunks, he took just one minute and 47 seconds to knock out Mercedes as he showed off his frightening power and hand speed in a stunning performance, with the referee compassionately waving off the contest.

Advert

Remarkably, given the multimillion-dollar paydays he'd make, Tyson's pro debut failed to sell out the Plaza Convention Center and actually lost money. His manager Jimmy Jacobs shelled out the boxer's modest $450 earnings.

"I hardly made any money from those early fights," he said in his autobiography, Undisputed Truth. "My first fight lost money for the promoter, but Jimmy gave me $500. Then he took $50 from that to give to Kevin and he put $350 in the bank for me, so I walked away with $100."

After becoming a household name and the sport's biggest star, Tyson would go onto make massive purses for fights against the likes of Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield.

He bagged a whopping $17,500,000 for his bout against Lewis and earned a staggering $30,000,000 for his first showdown against Holyfield.

Mike Tyson in action against Evander Holyfield. Image: Getty
Mike Tyson in action against Evander Holyfield. Image: Getty

And he's expected to receive a huge purse for his exhibition bout against Jake Paul, who has said in the past he believes a fight against Tyson could generate an incredible $300 million.

While Paul's estimation could be overly ambitious, UFC legend Henry Cejudo has claimed Tyson could make a cool $20 million.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Mike Tyson, Boxing

Nasir Jabbar
Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

X

@NasJabbar

Recommended reads

Ronnie O’Sullivan says snooker star can win 'multiple world titles' and gives update on futureGetty'The only thing he can do is now is tar his career...' - Arnold Allen gives damning verdict on Conor McGregor's comebackGetty ImagesGareth Barry on Thomas Tuchel advice, England squad picks and World Cup: 'He’ll be fighting'GettyAteba Gautier was called the 'future' by Joe Rogan, but he's more interested in what his cats thinkMike Roach/Zuffa LLC

Advert

Choose your content:

13 hours ago
14 hours ago
17 hours ago
  • Getty Images
    13 hours ago

    Why Venezuela Fury could be married aged 16 after Tyson's blessing

    The pair tied the knot during a lavish ceremony on Saturday, May 16.

    Boxing
  • Getty Images
    14 hours ago

    Tyson Fury gives emotional wedding speech after telling Venezuela 'not to do it'

    Tyson Fury has given an emotional wedding speech for his daughter Venezuela, after warning her 'not to do it'.

    Boxing
  • Getty Images
    17 hours ago

    Paris Fury reveals why Tommy didn't attend Venezuela's wedding as Molly-Mae left alone

    Paris Fury has revealed why Tommy was not at Venezuela's wedding with Molly-Mae Hague.

    Boxing
  • Getty Images
    17 hours ago

    Man arrested at Venezuela Fury's wedding as four police cars called

    Tyson Fury's daughter Venezuel, 16, married Noah Price at a ceremony on Saturday.

    Boxing
  • Mike Tyson Makes Shock Fentanyl Admission Days After Mayweather Fight Announced
  • Mike Tyson reveals shock rules for Floyd Mayweather fight as staggering pay revealed
  • Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua 'agreed' as stunning details revealed
  • Mike Tyson vs Floyd Mayweather Fight Set To Include Unusual Rule