Former undefeated boxing champion Floyd Mayweather announced Friday that he will come out of retirement to return to professional boxing after his upcoming exhibition fight with Mike Tyson this spring.
Mayweather, 48, retired from professional competition in 2017 with a perfect 50-0 record but has since participated in several exhibition bouts.
“I still have what it takes to set more records in the sport of boxing,” Mayweather said in a statement to AFP.
“From my upcoming Mike Tyson event to my next professional fight afterwards — no one will generate a bigger gate, have a larger global broadcast audience and generate more money with each event — then (sic) my events.”
The first professional fight following the Tyson exhibition is tentatively scheduled for this summer, with the opponent yet to be announced. Details are expected in the coming weeks.
Nicknamed “Money,” Mayweather was once the world’s highest-paid athlete, earning $300 million in 2015, according to Forbes. He dominated the welterweight division for more than a decade and was widely considered boxing’s pound-for-pound king at his peak.
Mayweather has been a contentious figure despite his achievements. His defensive approach was frequently criticised as unduly cautious, and some claimed he avoided risky opponents to maintain his perfect record. Also, he was behind bars for incidents of domestic abuse.
(FILES) US boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. smiles during the weighing ceremony for his upcoming exhibition fight against John Gutti III in Mexico City on August 23, 2024. Floyd Mayweather is coming out of retirement and will return to professional boxing after his exhibition fight with Mike Tyson this spring, he announced on February 20. Former multi-weight world champion Mayweather retired from boxing in 2017, unbeaten in 50 bouts, though he has appeared in several exhibition fights since. (Photo by ALFREDO ESTRELLA / AFP)
Nonetheless, Mayweather’s fitness, work ethic, and boxing IQ have earned him respect from peers and fans alike. His last professional bout was against UFC star Conor McGregor in 2017.
Since retiring, he has continued to participate in exhibition fights, including a win over John Gotti III in Mexico in August 2024, and has also fought reality TV and YouTube fighters.
Mayweather has signed an exclusive agreement with promoter CSI Sports/Fight Sports for his post-Tyson professional bouts.
Reports from Ring Magazine indicate that the exhibition fight with Tyson is scheduled for April 25 in the Congo, though neither the date nor the location has been officially confirmed.
Tyson, 59, last fought in November 2024, losing a heavily one-sided bout to YouTuber-turned-prizefighter Jake Paul in Texas. The fight was attended by around 70,000 spectators live and watched by millions worldwide.
George Foreman wasn’t just a boxing legend—he was a financial comeback king. From Olympic gold medalist to heavyweight champion, and later, from bankruptcy to a $300 million net worth, his story is one of resilience and smart business moves.
But how did he turn his fortunes around? And who will inherit his massive wealth?
This investigation uncovers Foreman’s financial journey, his iconic grill empire, and the family set to inherit his fortune.
What Was George Foreman Net Worth?
George Foreman was a legendary American boxer and a highly successful businessman. At the time of his death, his net worth stood at $300 million.
Between 1969 and 1977, he saved around $5 million from his boxing earnings—equivalent to about $20 million today. However, bad investments and an extravagant lifestyle drained his fortune.
By 1987, ten years into retirement, he was completely broke. To recover financially, he returned to boxing and made an incredible comeback in the 1990s.
Boxing didn’t make Foreman a multi-millionaire. Most of his $300 million fortune came from a simple yet brilliant invention. His famous grill and the royalties it generated played a massive role in rebuilding his wealth.
Early Life
George Foreman was born in Marshall, Texas, on January 10, 1949. He grew up in Houston’s Fifth Ward with six siblings. His mother married J.D. Foreman when George was young, but his biological father was Leroy Moorehead.
As a teenager, Foreman had a troubled past. He dropped out of school at 15 and got involved in crime, even working as a mugger. However, at 16, he decided to turn his life around. After seeing a Job Corps ad on TV, he convinced his mother to enroll him.
Through Job Corps, Foreman earned his GED and trained as a carpenter and bricklayer. With the help of a supervisor, he moved to Pleasanton, California, where he started boxing.
Initially, he loved football and idolized Jim Brown, but he eventually chose boxing as his path.
Professional Career
In 1973, George Foreman reached the peak of his early boxing career by defeating Joe Frazier to become the undisputed heavyweight champion. However, his reign was short-lived.
In 1974, he lost the title to Muhammad Ali in the legendary Rumble in the Jungle fight in Zaire.
Foreman shocked the world by retiring unexpectedly in 1977 and becoming an ordained minister. A decade later, at 38, he made a stunning comeback.
Defying the odds, he regained the heavyweight title in 1994 by knocking out Michael Moorer at 45, making him the oldest heavyweight champion in history.
Outside the ring, Foreman built an even greater legacy as an entrepreneur. His George Foreman Grill became a household staple, earning him more wealth than boxing ever did.
His transformation from a fierce fighter to a cheerful businessman made him a beloved figure in American culture.
Foreman ended his career with an outstanding record of 76 wins and 5 losses, including 68 knockouts. In 2003, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
George Foreman Grill
The George Foreman Grill changed home cooking forever when it launched in 1994. Its sloped design drained fat away from food, making it a hit with health-conscious consumers.
Surprisingly, Foreman didn’t invent it—Michael Boehm and Robert Johnson did. They struggled to find a celebrity endorser until they approached Foreman.
At first, he had never used the grill, but after trying it, he became a firm believer. When Salton, Inc. acquired the marketing rights, the grill’s success skyrocketed.
Foreman’s warm and enthusiastic personality in infomercials won over audiences. His famous slogan, “It’s so good I put my name on it,” helped turn the grill into a must-have kitchen appliance.
Financially, the grill was a game changer for Foreman. He initially earned $138,000 per month in royalties, but as sales exploded, his earnings soared to $8 million per month.
By 1999, after selling over 20 million units, Salton bought out his rights for $137.5 million. In total, Foreman made over $250 million from the grill—far more than he ever earned in boxing.
Car Collection
In November 2023, George Foreman announced the auction of his prized car collection through Hagerty Marketplace.
The auction featured over 50 classic and rare vehicles, all offered with no reserve. Running until December 21, 2023, the event attracted collectors worldwide, generating impressive sales.
Foreman’s collection included muscle cars, luxury tourers, and rare exotics. Bidders valued both the vehicles’ pristine condition and their celebrity connection.
The auction was a huge success, reflecting Foreman’s deep passion for automobiles.
Notable Sales from Foreman’s Collection
2005 Ford GT – Sold for $330,000, featuring under 790 miles.
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split-Window “Fuelie” Coupe – Iconic Sebring Silver model, fetched $125,000.
1987 Ferrari Testarossa – Owned by Foreman since 1992, with 3,400 miles, sold for $143,000.
1959 Chevrolet Impala Tri-Power Convertible – A sleek black-over-red cruiser, sold for $153,000.
1999 Prevost Vantare H3-45 VIP Touring Coach – A luxury bus, sold for $115,000.
The auction not only highlighted Foreman’s love for cars but also showcased his impeccable taste in classic automobiles.
Personal Life
George Foreman married Mary Joan in 1985, and they remained together until his death in 2025. Over his lifetime, he had 12 children from various relationships.
Foreman married four times before Mary Joan:
Adrienna Calhoun (1971–1974)
Cynthia Lewis (1977–1979)
Sharon Goodson (1981–1982)
Andrea Skeete (1982–1985)
In a unique tradition, Foreman named all five of his sons George Edward Foreman. Most of his daughters also have “George” as a middle name, except for one, Georgetta.
Real Estate
George Foreman’s first known property was a 4-acre ranch in Livermore, California, where he trained in the 1970s and kept exotic pets, including a lion and a tiger.
After retiring in 1977, he sold the ranch and shifted his focus to ministry work.
In the 1990s, Foreman moved to Kingwood, Texas, an upscale Houston suburb, where he raised his family in a sprawling home with a backyard pool. Though he later relocated, he retained ownership of the property.
Around the same time, he purchased a 300-acre ranch in Marshall, Texas, his hometown. This ranch became his rural retreat, complete with horses, cattle, and other animals.
In 2002, Foreman expanded his real estate portfolio, buying a luxury beachfront townhouse in Malibu, California, for $2.3 million. He used it as a vacation home during trips to Los Angeles.
His most extravagant estate was a 29-acre Mediterranean-style mansion in Huffman, Texas, built in the early 2000s.
The home featured nearly 12,000 square feet of living space and an 11,000-square-foot garage that could house 55 cars. In late 2024, Foreman listed the property for $9.5 million.
George Foreman Net Worth and His Heirs: Who Will Inherit His Fortune?
Foreman had 12 children—five sons and seven daughters—from multiple marriages. His wife, Mary Joan Martelly, whom he married in 1985, is expected to inherit a significant portion of his estate.
Foreman’s Complicated Family Legacy
Foreman was married five times:
Adrienne Calhoun (1971–1974)
Cynthia Lewis (1977–1979)
Sharon Goodson (1981–1982)
Andrea Skeete (1982–1985)
Mary Joan Martelly (1985–2024)
He famously named all five of his sons George Edward Foreman, leading to jokes about “George Foreman’s George Foremans.” His daughters, however, have different names.
How His Wealth Will Be Divided
While exact details remain private, sources suggest:
Mary Joan Martelly will likely control a large share.
His 12 children will receive substantial inheritances.
Some funds may go to charities and religious causes (Foreman was an ordained minister).
Mike Tyson insisted on Tuesday he felt “100%” despite a recent health scare as he prepares for his July bout against Youtuber Jake Paul.
The 57-year-old former world heavyweight champion reportedly needed medical treatment on Sunday after complaining of nausea and dizziness during a flight from Miami to Los Angeles.
Paramedics boarded the plane at Los Angeles International Airport to treat the boxing legend before other passengers were allowed to exit the American Airlines flight.
The incident came as Tyson prepares to make a controversial return to the ring against Paul in Texas on July 20, which has raised fears that the fighter once known as the “baddest man on the planet” could be hurt due to his advanced years.
Tyson however insisted on Tuesday he felt fine despite Sunday’s scare.
“Now feeling 100% even though I don’t need to be to beat Jake Paul,” Tyson wrote in a brief post on X, formerly Twitter.
Tyson, who turns 58 in June, takes on the 27-year-old Paul in a professional bout which will comprise eight two-minute rounds. The fight has been sanctioned by boxing authorities in Texas.
Tyson has not fought a professional bout since 2005, although he did take on Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition contest in 2020.
Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, preparing for his first professional fight since 2005, warned YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on Monday (May 13) that his life will be on the line during their July 20 bout.
The 57-year-old Tyson, speaking at New York City’s Apollo Theater during a press conference to promote a fight against an opponent who is 30 years his junior, said he wants to show the world he is still a great fighter.
“I really like Jake a lot but once he’s in that ring he has to fight like his life depends on it, because it will be,” said Tyson.
The heavyweight bout at the Arlington, Texas home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys will be contested over eight two-minute rounds with each fighter using 14-ounce gloves. The outcome will be included in both fighters’ professional boxing records.
Tyson, who said he requested the shorter rounds because he feels it will lead to greater action and a more entertaining fight, shot back at critics who suggested he is making a big mistake by returning to boxing.
“The people who said that wish they were up here,” said Tyson. “Because no one else can do it. Who else can do this? Who else can shut the sporting world down, no one else can do it. So you got the both of us.
“We’re friends, but in that ring we’re not going to be friends.”
Tyson also said he did not hesitate at the chance to fight Paul.
“It was a no-brainer,” said Tyson.
“He was the new up and coming guy on the scene and I like shaking the sports world to it’s core and I’m doing it now. It’s just something I want to do.”
Paul, a 27-year-old YouTube influencer-turned-boxer, has won nine of 10 boxing matches with six knockouts against a mix of celebrities and middling fighters.
He suffered his sole career boxing loss in February 2023 when he lost a split decision to Tommy Fury, the half brother of World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
Paul said people should not overlook Tyson.
“Age doesn’t matter, age is just a number. He’s a killer, he’s a warrior, he’s been doing this his whole entire life. So it’s second nature to him. I’ve been doing this for four years,” Paul said.
Paul suggested he is being underestimated by Tyson and boasted that he has more power than the man once considered one of the most feared men in the world.
“I know it’s going to be tough, I know I’m going to have to fight through adversity, I know I might even go to the canvas,” said Paul.
“I’m scared, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not about the fear stopping me, it’s about going into it even though I am scared and that’s what true bravery is.”
Tyson and Paul will participate in another press conference on Thursday in Arlington.
