Mike Tyson earned $450 for his professional debut, leaving his opponent on the canvas in two minutes with a resounding KO.
Mike Tyson is expected to make 44,000 times more to face Jake Paul than he did in his professional debut.
The heavyweight icon is considered one of the best boxers of all-time in his peak, conquering the sport by becoming undisputed world champion and subsequently headlining major events against the likes of Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield.
Tyson made over $430 million (£337.5 million) from the sport during his peak years, but he lost the vast majority of his wealth.
That money did not come from his first professional outing versus Hector Mercedes in 1985, when he said he was left with only $100 [£80] after banking the rest of his whole $450 [£280] purse.
Tyson stated in his autobiography Undisputed Truth, “I barely made any money from those early battles.
“The promoter lost money on my first bout, but Jimmy [Jacobs] paid me $500.
I fought Tyson in the first fight after prison; his speed was insane, and his power was painful.
“Then he took $50 and gave it to Kevin, and he put $350 in the bank for me, so I left with $100.”
Tyson was handled by Jacobs at the time, and his professional debut failed to sell out the Plaza Convention Center in Albany, New York, resulting in financial losses for everyone concerned.
He went on to make a strong statement as one of the brightest prospects by knocking out the journeyman in only a minute and fifty seconds.
He established himself as the youngest heavyweight world champion at the age of 20, defeating Trevor Berbick in November 1986 after 27 wins.
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Tyson earned $1.5 million [£1.2 million] for that legendary night, but his earnings skyrocketed, with ‘Iron Mike’ making $30 million [£24 million] for his rematch with Frank Bruno and two great fights with Evander Holyfield.
His career-high purse came from his defeat to Lennox Lewis in 2002, when he received a whopping $35 million [£28 million] for the memorable fight under the lights in Las Vegas.
Mike Tyson fights topless on the street with former heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs.
Tyson did, sadly, declare for bankruptcy in 2003, but he has since recovered his riches through business investments.
The 57-year-old will reportedly receive $20 million for his forthcoming fight with Paul.
Despite their 31-year age difference, Paul and Tyson will face off in front of 80,000 fans in a battle aired on Netflix.
Despite health issues, the 58-year-old boxer has used training footage to gain popularity.
