Holyfield scores biggest payday

Friday, Jan. 17, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Evander Holyfield will get the biggest payday ever in sports, at least $35 million, and maybe as much as $40 million, for a May 3 rematch with Mike Tyson at the MGM Grand.

Showtime's Jay Larkin said Holyfield's fee will be "the biggest purse, not only in sports history, but for any one performance, including show business."

The contract, which sets the fight on the same day as the Kentucky Derby, was completed Wednesday night during a conference call involving Holyfield, his attorney Jim Thomas, promoter Don King and Larkin.

"Officially, the announcement will be made after the Super Bowl, but we're acknowledging it now," Larkin said Thursday.

Given barely a chance in the first fight Nov. 9, Holyfield stopped Tyson in the 11th round to win the WBA heavyweight title.

Tyson, who will earn a minimum of $20 million in the rematch, received $30 million for the first fight, while Holyfield was paid $11 million.

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