NBA legend Michael Jordan reportedly could have made at least $15 million if he ventured into the world of boxing.
Jordan, 62, is often regarded as the NBA’s greatest player of all time, having won six NBA championships while playing for the Chicago Bulls.
He also won the Olympic gold medal on two occasions, in Los Angeles in 1984 and in Barcelona in 1992.
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After his retirement, Jordan continued to be one of the biggest sportspersons in the world due to his work with Nike.
It was reported that Jordan could have bagged himself at least $15 million if he made a stunning debut in the world of boxing.
Jordan was tabled an outrageous deal where he'd challenge for the undisputed world heavyweight title, fighting either Evander Holyfield or Michael Moorer.
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Dan Duva, the promoter at the time, told his agent that the offer was serious.
Duva was prepared to pay him a guaranteed $15 million and a further $25 million if he won the fight.
"Michael Jordan fighting for the heavyweight championship would be the most spectacular event in the history of sports," he said. "This offer is not a joke. We are 100 percent serious."
Despite Jordan's elite mindset and being a fierce competitor, he sensibly turned down the lucrative offer.
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As soon as he heard of the offer, he hilariously said: "I wouldn’t fight those guys if I had a gun in my hand."
Duva's wife, Kathy, added: "The offer was, indeed, serious. Though I don't think my late husband actually expected Jordan to accept it! But with Jordan's move to baseball receiving so much attention, it seemed like a pretty easy way to get some much-needed publicity for the Holyfield-Moorer event.
"There is no doubt that Dan would have gladly paid Michael Jordan $15 million, an enormous sum at the time, if he had been willing to try his hand at boxing. Clearly, Mr. Jordan is much too smart for that!"
Topics: Michael Jordan, NBA, Boxing
Marcus Chan