Evander Holyfield, The Real Deal, is one of the biggest stars in boxing history. Fought in some of the greatest fights in history, won championships and left a legacy that time will never forget.
Yet for all his fame, glory and money he made what seems like a 100 million times over, Evander’s life has been littered with financial problems and challenges. This article explores the career highlights, net worth and personal life stories of one of Boxing’s greats.
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What Is Evander Holyfield’s Net Worth?
As of 2025, Evander Holyfield’s net worth is estimated to be roughly $1 million. Regarded as one of the greatest boxers in history, Holyfield made hundreds of millions of dollars during his career. However, thanks to issues with money management and several legal battles, he lost a vast majority of that fortune.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Evander Holyfield |
| Nickname | The Real Deal |
| Date of Birth | October 19, 1962 |
| Place of Birth | Atmore, Alabama, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Reach | 77.5 in (197 cm) |
| Weight Class | Cruiserweight, Heavyweight |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Professional Record | 57 fights: 44 wins (29 by KO), 10 losses, 2 draws, 1 no contest |
| Amateur Record | 160 wins, 14 losses |
| Years Active | 1984–2011 |
| Titles Held | Undisputed Cruiserweight Champion (1988) |
| Undisputed Heavyweight Champion (1990–1992) | |
| WBA, WBC, IBF Heavyweight Titles | |
| Olympic Achievements | Bronze Medalist in Light Heavyweight Boxing at the 1984 Summer Olympics |
| Famous Fights | Riddick Bowe Trilogy |
| Mike Tyson (including the infamous ear-biting incident) | |
| Lennox Lewis | |
| George Foreman | |
| Net Worth | Approximately $1 million (as of recent estimates) |
| Spouses | Paulette Bowen (m. 1985–1991) |
| Janice Itson (m. 1996–2000) | |
| Candi Calvana Smith (m. 2003–2012) | |
| Children | 11 |
| Notable Achievements | Only four-time Heavyweight World Champion |
| Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (2017) | |
| Known for his endurance, toughness, and warrior spirit | |
| Residence | Fayetteville, Georgia, United States |
| Charity Work | Founder of the Holyfield Foundation |
| Hobbies | Acting, motivational speaking, and mentoring young athletes |
| Trivia | His fight against Mike Tyson (1997) is one of the most controversial in boxing history |
| Holyfield has made appearances in films and TV shows, including Dancing with the Stars |
Early Life
Evander Holyfield was born on October 19, 1962, in Atmore, Alabama, USA. He came from a poor family and was the youngest of nine children. Holyfield moved to Atlanta, Georgia, when he was still a child, and it was there that he first began to box at the age of seven. When he was just 13 years old, he won his first Junior Olympics fight before going on to compete in the 1984 Summer Olympics, where he claimed a bronze medal in the light heavyweight division.
Evander Holyfield’s Money Issues
Holyfield earned more than $230 million throughout his career, but he had some serious financial issues. Some of the main culprits for his money woes were:
- Lavish Lifestyle: Holyfield reportedly spent around $230,000 per month on property and child support, forcing his financial ruin, according to entertainment news site NickiSwift. His 109-room mansion in Atlanta became famous for its size and because it was an ongoing project for him.
- Child Support: Holyfield has fathered 11 children with six different women and paid millions each year in child support.
- Legal Disputes: Lawsuits over unpaid debts and disagreements with financial advisors plagued Holyfield.
- Poor Investments: Holyfield’s forays into businesses such as a record label and an ill-fated restaurant chain contributed to his money woes.
Career Earnings
Evander Holyfield made a lot of money during his boxing career, including:
- $34 million for his fights against Mike Tyson, including the infamous 1997 Bite Fight.
- $20 million for his fight against Lennox Lewis in 1999.
- $25 million for his fight with Tony Tucker in 1987 and $8 million for his bout with Riddick Bowe in 1993.
Career
Career Amateur Career
An amateur career began when he successfully defended his Dublin Novice Championships in the light heavyweight category in 1925.
- Holyfield had a successful amateur boxing career culminating in him winning a bronze medal at the 1984 Olympics.
Professional Career
Holyfield turned professional in 1984, when he was light-heavyweight. But he grew through the weight categories and was a legend in the heavyweight division. Here are some of his achievements:
- Undisputed Cruiserweight Champion: Holyfield became the WBA, WBC and IBF cruiserweight champion to become the first ever boxer to unify the three belts.
- Heavyweight Champion: Holyfield knocked out fellow Hall of Famers George Foreman and Larry Holmes, as well as standout contenders Riddick Bowe (in their first fight), Larry Holmes and George Foreman
- Mike Tyson Fights: He also fought Tyson twice, including the infamous Bite Fight in 1997.
Other Ventures
Outside the ring, Holyfield explored various ventures:
- Acting: Holyfield made a number of cameo appearances in both film and television, most notably The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Necessary Roughness.
- Endorsements: Holyfield has had endorsement deals with Coca-Cola, Everlast, and Adidas, to name a few.
- Real Estate: Despite some financial troubles, Holyfield put money into real estate, including his huge mansion in Atlanta, which was lost to foreclosure.
- Philanthropy: Holyfield started the Holyfield Foundation, which is dedicated to assisting underprivileged children.
Personal Life
Holyfield’s personal life has been as colorful as his professional career.
- Family: He fathered 11 children from several women.
- Religion: Holyfield is a devout Christian and has often said his strong faith has helped him overcome some of life’s obstacles.
- Health: In 1994, Holyfield retired from boxing but returned a year later after being diagnosed with a heart condition.
Real Estate
One of Holyfield’s most famous belongings was his 109-room mansion in Fayetteville, Georgia. The estate, complete with a bowling alley, swimming pool and movie theater, was sold in 2012 after going into foreclosure. However, it appears that The Real Deal lost numerous other properties due to financial difficulties.
Read More: Chad Dawson Net Worth
FAQs
1. Is Evander Holyfield still boxing?
No, Holyfield retired from professional boxing in 2014.
2. What was Evander Holyfield’s most famous fight?
His two clashes with Mike Tyson, especially the 1997 bite fight, are seen as his most memorable scraps.
