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DEL.ICIO.USDifficult times for Evander Holyfield
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The first question could have been about the reports of foreclosure, or the unpaid child support, or the defaulted loan for landscaping. But the seeming implausibility of all that and, yes, admittedly a close relationship with Evander Holyfield, prompted me to go in another direction Friday.
First question: Are you OK?
“I’m fine,” he said. “Everything’s great. “The thing, I just don’t want to react to all of this stuff because, in the end, people will believe what they want to believe. I realize the situation I’m in. But the whole thing is, I’m not broke — I’m just not liquid.”
Holyfield will be the first to tell you: He is a flawed man. That puts him in the majority. For as long as has been disciplined in his professional life, he has strayed personally. He is proud and he is stubborn, traits that have worked for him in the ring and against him out of it.
Sometimes he listens to the right people. Too often he listens to the wrong ones.
But now there are money issues — significant but not the type that project him living on the curb outside of his Fayette County mansion. Holyfield finds himself being characterized as just another boxing cartoon. It is one thing to be lampooned for an unlikely pursuit of heavyweight titles at the age of 45. It’s another to be characterized as reckless, irresponsible or, worst of all, a bad father.
“I do feel kind of sad because things have always been positive, and now everybody wants to jump on me like I’m the worse person in the world and I went out and blew all my money,” he said.
“When things first hit the paper, people started calling me. But I can’t talk about everything and, like I said, people will believe what they want to believe. But everything will turn out OK.”
The numbers are staggering. He has grossed over $248 million in his career in ring purses. During one six-fight stretch (1996-99), he earned $107 million. What happens to that kind of money?
He denied his dream home would be foreclosed on, saying only: “Everything is all right with the house now.” He will never move. He considers that home part of his legacy. But it’s a drain. When he built it, he told me it cost $1.2 million a year just to live in — as in water, power and lawn edging. That was in 1997.
There have been three marriages, including a costly divorce from his second wife, Janice. They were married for those aforementioned six fights and $107 million. They didn’t have a prenuptial agreement because Holyfield proposed and married on a whim, flying home one weekend in the middle of training in Houston for a fight against Mike Tyson. When Holyfield’s attorneys and financial advisers found out about it, they flipped.
Holyfield has 11 children, two with his third wife, Candi. It’s believed his child support payments run at least $500,000 annually. But his children have always been important to him. It follows that any suggestions to the contrary cut deep. It was the only time we spoke Friday when he got emotional.
“I have always taken care of my children,” he said. “It’s just one of the mothers who’s saying something because she thinks it will embarrass me.”
There also have been losses in failed business ventures, particularly a gospel television station. The flip side: a significant income drop. He has fought only six times in the past 56 months. The last significant payday: $5 million in 2003 for a loss to James Toney.
There may not be another big payday. But Holyfield reiterated that’s not why he is fighting. He is competing for titles, not paychecks. He could not get a big-money fight now, regardless.
“This [money problems] isn’t the reason I’m fighting,” he said. “I’ve been telling people that my goal was to be undisputed champion. I told them in 1992. I told them in 1996, after I beat Tyson. People ask, ‘Why fight? Why, why, why?’ But that’s always been me. That’s what made me and allowed me to be my very best. I always set goals. This is my goal. I haven’t changed. My character hasn’t changed.”
The financial picture has changed, he admits. Just not to the degree people believe.
“This is not a situation,” he said, “where Evander did something so wrong, he’s going away and he’s not coming back.”
Comments
By Ted Striker
June 6, 2008 7:07 PM | Link to this
Holyfield became a champion in the ring because he believed in himself more than anyone else ever could.
The next chapter in his life will be determined by the same measure of determiniation and measuring stick — himself.
By Paddy
June 6, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this
The same sad story that goes back to the 1920’s. If these athletes would just read a little history about their sport, it would be so obvious to them. No common sense, no management ethics and no street smarts. And, I guess, no bed time reading… A terrible collection of wasted humatity. No sympathy for these guys, I am sorry, nothing left to say, same old story different day.
By tom
June 6, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this
Boy, Paddy hit it right!
By somebody slap his a*
June 6, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this
his name should be holyshit i f*** up 200 million dollars dam man why cant u live and mantain u just had to go and buy a big f*** house like your king of the earth now look at you bro black people always want to show there asses when they get a f*** dime im black to so this aint no racist s**
By Champ
June 6, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this
Evander will come out of this he is a man of great character and led by the spirit of god.
By Champ
June 6, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this
Evander will come out of this he is a man of great character and led by the spirit of god.
By Rich
June 6, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this
Evander will come out on top he has great character and is led by the spirit of God!
By Rich
June 6, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this
Evander will come out of this on top he has great character and is led by the spirit of God!
By Rich
June 6, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this
Evander will come out of this on top he has great character and is led by the spirit of God!
By Jo
June 6, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this
I have a tremendous empathy for this great champion. Many critics are like hyenas pounching on an injured prey.
By Greg
June 6, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
What a warrior!!!???
By Greg
June 6, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this
I have tremendous sympathy and respect for this icon, as well. I also recognize that for years he has been confusing the guidance of the Holy Spirit with the foolishness of his grandiose, presumptuous, fat-headed ego. He is not a good learner, but I imagine he is a good father.
By Pedro
June 6, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this
I feel no sympathy for him, a mansion with 107 rooms??? for what? even Bill Gates lives like that, he’s crazy, I hope they take his house so he can learn no to be stupid.
By Walter Earl
June 6, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
I think someone need to make a copy of this for for our students. I want to make something positive out of this…. not ride a man with no education with a quearter of billion dollars and can’t pay his child support enough said about the DEAL responsibility to his children. Teens let this be an i.e. to you having money don’t mean it’s yours if you don’t have enough education to keep it and let the gators get you. This is another Mike Tyson situation uneducated boxesers marrying Doctors and whant to know and you can’t figure where the money went HUMMMMMM. Yes they need to fight and let the winner get the entire pruse to pay of their child support
By Flashtalk
June 6, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
Unbelievable and heart-breaking. That happened to Sugar Ray Robinson, Joe Lewis,Mike Tyson, MC Hammer, etc…And now To Evander, the Real Deal. we all say in unisson:”how is that possible?”
Well, simple. When you spend more than you make; waste more than you save;want more than you need, the outcome is self-explanatory.
As people(African-American),we spend more time basking in a unecessary narcissistic self-indulgence,skirt-chasing and promoting negativity instead of self-educating ourselves or putting books in the hand of our children.
One needs to learn about finances in order to manage assets. There’s no other way around it.
By perky
June 6, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
GOD gave rock n roll to you, he gave rock n roll to everyone. SAKU Forever.
By john
June 7, 2008 1:32 AM | Link to this
Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone. Evander has gone after his dreams; successfully. what have any of you mouths done? let this good person be.
By Pinball34
June 7, 2008 2:32 AM | Link to this
Mistake #1: Associating with Ken Sanders
By Rob
June 7, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this
Jeez John I’m sorry to tell you, but life is just not that simple. Would you really call that going after your dreams successfully?? Really?
By carolyn
June 7, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this
I couldn’t believe that evander holyfield is so ignorant that he sit up there and married a woman who needed a greencard, and a con artist who is going to completely break him. stop being dumb black man, and irresponsible with your personal life. you know that cayman woman only wanted your money and a greencard. everyone in america should know about these people now. especially a traveled person with all kinds of resources like yourself. foreman has continually talked about how he was used, abused and voodooed by foreign blacks. stop being stuck on stupid.
By JSS
June 7, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this
Mistake#2: Having a “close personal friendship” with Jeff Schultz.
Evander, you may no longer be rich in the Neocon, right wing pray to the almighty dollar kind of way, but you have a chance to stand back up one day. There are some really dark days ahead for you… Surround yourself with a “few” good people and get to shoveling. You’ll be OK!!!
By The Grinch
June 7, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this
The lesson here is not that Evander Holyfield is stupid, it’s that having multiple marriages and multiple children (or even ONE marriage and ONE child) without an absolutely iron tight pre-nup is going to make you a broke man for the rest of your life, (no matter what your income is) if you %^$#-up and get divorced. The judicial system is still stuck back in the 50’s on this matter and just about any judge assumes a woman is too stupid to get a job and chip in a bit on her own. $500,000 a year child support? Unless every one of his kids have a rare and expensive disease and have to live in a bubble, the failure is in the court system who should punish gold diggers. You want that kind of settlement? Sure, but you should be sentenced to having to work 40 hours a week at a Waffle House as well to show you’re trying as hard as he is every time he gets his brains beat out in the ring instead of just sitting back and living like the Queen of Sheba off his blood and sweat.
By Dennis
June 7, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
I am sorry, but if you ever used the phrase “It’s just ONE of the mothers” —-You get what you deserve
By califas
June 7, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
what a deal, the Real deal is a steal. I mean im so upset right now, how could this be. That fat headed moron lost how many million? I lose 200 dollars and i cant live with myself, this fat head loses 200 million and he says its all good? He is a has been, maybe mike should have bitten his nose or something to keep him from being stupid. YOu see the way i see it, mike bit his ears so we wouldnt listen to dumb people, but that didnt help did it. Bad person.
By Jason
June 7, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
There is a force in the world that where money is, someone, something, is coming after if. Mostly it comes from one’s own self stupidity, but even the those with money that are cognitive of the fact, work harder to protect it than it was to make it in the fits place. 107 room house, 10 children with half a dozen women in itself shows not so much a lack of charactor as it does a lack of self control. As given the same situation most people would nearly act the same way, it’s only those without the means that say “I would never do that”. I don’t feel sorry for him because you simply can’t.
He was trying to live like a multi billion dollar oil sheik sitting on endless oil reserves. Did he think he could fight into his 90’s? Bad choice after bad choice and the total lack of self control is the isue here.
By Guy
June 7, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
Holyfield is a real warrior and one of the most courageous boxers ever, but he’s got duped by this prosperity gospel nonsense that’s sweeping America and the rest of the world.
Everyone should avoid living above their means, multi millionare sports stars included. All you need is a reasonable house, car and furniture etc. Why must Holyfield have a huge mansion with dozens of rooms?
It’s not how much money you make, but how you manage it that counts. And Holyfield clealrly doesn’t know how to manage his nor does he know how to stay married.
By Pago Flyer
June 7, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
Gee, what a great role model for kids!
By damn
June 7, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
evander said he is not broke he is just not liquid.
what kind of crap is that. what kind of investments did you make with $100 mil that has tied up your money?
this guy is simply a fool. this is why he got married without a prenup.
heknows it all. it only proves the point that an education is priceless.
the b*** took all his money.
if he is smart he wil start developing that estate he lives on.
By nathan
June 7, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
It is so sad to see another person go down this path.So many sports icons have wound up in this situation.If God is truly the source and guiding force in your life; how can you explain all those children out of wedlock? If you are fortunate enough to earn over 240 million dollars; why do you need to invest in some of the investments that you chose? Why not just bank it and just live off the interest? And the huge house..how many rooms do you really need? Why can’t we live below our means and then we will always have enough. I have no sympathy for this person because he had it all but a fool and his money will soon part.
By Mulanda
June 7, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
A lesson to all of us. This can happen to anyone who gets what he or she is not adequately prepared for. So next time you ask God for anything, remember to pray to Him to prepare you for it. Then you will know how to handle it when you receive what you asked for.
By Paddy
June 7, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
Well finally, it looks like we are all of the same mind. But it is still sad..
By Rick
June 7, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this
What a joke, he is used up hack, He has never lived up to the hype in the ring and he followed his weenie outside the ring. He has no inner strength, no morales, He is a muscled idiot who will be broke in 10 years. He has never beat a strong opponent in the ring and cannot beat the odds in life as he does not have the mental tools to do so.
By AJ
June 7, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
RE: ‘lead by the spirit of God’?
Are you serious? 3 marriages, 11 kids, blew tens of millions? i would say closer to beig lead by the devil!
By Paul Williams
June 8, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
When God see that you are not a faithful steward with that he have blessed you with, this is what happen. You will lose it all.
By Patrick
June 8, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
I heard Evander on the Howard Stern radio show when he was fighting Rahman. He said there he didnt have a Pre-Nup. Thats where MOST of his money went out the window! Are you telling me a women you married and was having a baby with wouldnt take 50% of your money when you “fathered” 2 other kids at the sametime she is married and about to give birth? PLEASE!!!! She probably got a bulldog lawyer and took $150 Million. What is shocking is.. I have on tape Evander saying he paid $20 Million for that house and paid CASH! So really how can they foreclose? Maybe he took a loan off on the house AFTER Janice took him for $100+ Million. wow, the party is over for Evander - he BETTER sell this house and DOWNSIZE while he still has some money! This is always the #1 Mistake for all these Rich Celebs - EGO. Lose the Pride and Downsize! He can find in Geogia a Mansion for $3 Million and never think of money again. OPPPS wait he is married NOW and I think he said on Howard he would NEVER get a Pre-Nup. wow if he doesnt have one now… he is done!
By Patrick
June 8, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this
Hmmmmmm……
Can this be an angle to go back to court and cut all his child support down now that he isn’t making $25 million per fight?
Hide money - say your basically broke - show a loss - then go back to the courts and get a “normal” child support payment for all these kids.
man - 15 minutes of fun without a $1 condom = ALL your money going out the window.
Great Idea Celebs! A lesson to be learn by all.
By D'Marcus Jefferson, Kappa Alpha pledge at UGA
June 8, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
I went in for my colonoscopy last week. While waiting in the exam room there were gloves, jelly, and a Bud Light.
When the Doc came in, I asked him what the Bud Light was for….he opened the door and yelled to the nurse, I said a BUTT LIGHT*!!
By D'Marcus Jefferson, Kappa Alpha pledge at UGA
June 8, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
I went in for my colonoscopy last week. While waiting in the exam room there were gloves, jelly, and a Bud Light.
When the Doc came in, I asked him what the Bud Light was for….he opened the door and yelled to the nurse, I said a BUTT LIGHT!!
By D'Marcus Jefferson, Kappa Alpha pledge at UGA
June 8, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
I went in for my colonoscopy last week. While waiting in the exam room there were gloves, jelly, and a Bud Light.
When the Doc came in, I asked him what the Bud Light was for….he opened the door and yelled to the nurse, I said a BUTT LIGHT!!
By dmarcus isn't funny
June 8, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
Dmarcus I read your comment three times and it still is NOT Funny!
By PANTHA MAN
June 8, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this
ALL YOU SORRY WHITE PEOPLE HATERS DONT KNOW NOTHING ABOUT REAL DEAL HOLYFIELD!!!! YALL JUST WANT TO TEAR HIM DOWN LIKE YOU DID MIKE VICK!!!!!! ATL IS A RACIST TOWN THAT TEAR DOWN ALL ITS GOOD MEN AND HEROS!!!!!
By Ali
June 21, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this
It’s very easy to say what we will or will not do if we had this type of money. However, being rich is not a blessing but a trial. What we all seem to forget is life was designed by God Himself for mankind to be a slave to Him exclusively and not our passions. Having lots of money and no commitment to God is worse than being BROKE. And by the way, my so called educated people, if you don’t educate yourself on the word of God, you too will fall prey to this madness. Peace and love to all.
By Franksdaughter
June 23, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this
TO PANTHA MAN. WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? WHITE FOLKS HATIN ON THAT STUPID HOLYFIELD. I’M AN AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN WHO HAPPENED TO LIVE IN ATLANTA FOR TEN YEARS AND IT IS NO MORE RACIST THAN CHICAGO OR SAINT LOUIS WHERE I WAS BORN. WHAT HAS RACIST GOT TO DO WITH THIS MAN BLOWING 200 MILLION DOLLARS AND NOT PAYING CHILD SUPPORT. I DON’T CARE IF HE WAS CHINESE, LATINO WHATEVER HE WOULD BE LABELED AS STUPID IN MY BOOK. I AGREE WITH MOST OF THESE COMMENTS THAT HE COULDN’T HAVE BEEN LEAD BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD WITH ALL THAT PRIDE (IDOLS) AND GREED. I BELIEVE ANYONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO LIVE COMFORTABLY IN A HOUSE THAT COST LESS THAN A MILLION DOLLARS, TAKE SOME FUN VACATIONS, BUY A COUPLE OF NICE CARS, INVEST AND SAVE THE REST AND OF COURSE GIVE TO CHARITIES. THE IDIOT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SET FOR LIFE! I HAVE LITTLE SYMPATHY FOR EGOTISTICAL FOOLS.
By joe
June 26, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
Amen, well said frank daughter,well said!!! jo
By Brian
July 1, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
Evander is a good man! He has done alot good, we all have problems, and things we have to workout it’s just a test, of our faith, he will be champion again, no tripping, he said it, and he will recieve it though God! It’s not the Money it’s his heart’s desire! It’s just like the rich man and the poor man. If people thinks Holyfied is hurt he hurts for you! Because you don’t know what’s going to happen to you!
By cj
July 4, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this
Creflow Dollar , his preacher, and Janice, his second wife, never took a punch but they took his money. A fool and his money are soon parted. Who marries a woman who says God told her you were supposed to be her husband? If you have such a great relationship with God and have bought yourself a preacher (Creflow) , why wouldn’t God speak to you? I do feel sorry for him because he is not a very bright man and he got himself fleeced by a fake preacher and a cunning doctor!!
By cj
July 4, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this
Creflow Dollar , his preacher, and Janice, his second wife, never took a punch but they took his money. A fool and his money are soon parted. Who marries a woman who says God told her you were supposed to be her husband? If you have such a great relationship with God and have bought yourself a preacher (Creflow) , why wouldn’t God speak to you? I do feel sorry for him because he is not a very bright man and he got himself fleeced by a fake preacher and a cunning doctor!!
By UPDOWN
July 5, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this
Pantha, please don’t go to the race card, it seems that everytime white americans tell the truth about black people, you get some black cry babies screaming “white people are just racists.”
Let me just say this as a black man, I have endured more racism from my own people who to me are the most jealous and unprepared people on the face of this earth. Until blacks “My People” prove me wrong then I still won’t buy into your crap that all white folks are racists. I have had a lot of white people go to bat for me, when blacks have turned their backs and stole from me, so stop with the racist remarks, speak for yourself, you’re just a loser who lives his life through other black people in the media.
I’ll give you a perfect example about people like you Pantha, you will pay to see some ignorant fake pimp glamourizing comic stand on a stage and call you and your date and your mother and father “N****” and you laugh, now if you over hear a white person say it, you cry…..RACISTS! HE HATES BLACKS, and you march down the street like a civil rights midget.
I have turned my back on all ignorance, I don’t support black ignorance in movies or music, they don’t get any of my money, I don’t set limitations on who I am by somebody who doesn’t even know me to wanting them to like me. you are pretty stupid, why don’t you stop watching BET, stop reading those silly sex magazines, and please wear protection when you have sex, the world doesn’t need another duplication of you and the person that let you have sex with her, that would be the worst DNA experiment in the world.
By Pam
July 10, 2008 8:11 PM | Link to this
Evander, I’m so glad our God doesn’t judge us like these people have….He sees the inside ,values and morals,the bible says lift up your brothers in the lord ….not to tear them down and kick them in their trials. so what !!People will always talk and judge one another but we only have to answer to him that day…so keep your head high and draw closer to God through it all,,the biggest blessing is on the other side of your trials…..much love through Christ to you. all his blessing be poured out on you ,your children and the rest of the family….Remember you can’t see God’s view for you ; if you don’t climb the mountains before you…
By Rob
August 12, 2008 2:22 AM | Link to this
Evander, you have been a true champion in the ring.You have inspired so many people& there lifes with your strength, courage & tenacity.Am sure, you are capable of rising above any situation of duress.God Bless.
By cbee
September 26, 2008 3:43 AM | Link to this
Let me say something folks. Evander Holyfield is a human being. That means he has made, does make, and will make mistakes. He set a goal to become a successful fighter and did so. He tried to be a Godly man and sought God. He helped the community children by trying to help them believe in themselves. He gave to the churches.
His life ain’t yours. Yeah I believe he did some stupid stuff, and is paying for it. However, I won’t drag his name through the dirt and disrespect him as if he is a low down person who is commiting crimes. He made the arrangements for the child support to be paid, so let it rest. He made that $240 mil so it’s his to blow. And even if he loses his mansion 2morrow, he has done more with his life, made more money, and probably impacted more people in a positive way than all of you here. And his kinda “broke” ain’t average folk kinda “broke”, so I doubt he’ll be burger flipn’.
Everyone has a time in the sun, and everyone will have their low points. You all better just hope that you never slip up with what you got, and that your low point never comes, cause I promise you, by dragging him down like this, u show what you really are, and that same thing will be dealt back to you in your time of trouble. It may not come to you via financial circumstances, but trouble can and will find those who inconsideratly bring trouble upon others for no good reason.
Read about that….it’s written.
Let’s support one another, and wish each other well regardless of us being up or down. People who take delight in seeing a human struggle need to take a good look at themselves. Also, is positive talk about a person only reseved for when they are a shinning star at their peak? Cause if that’s true, if that ain’t idol worship, I don’t know what is.