In December 1981 one of the late night news shows, maybe ABC's Nightline, had an episode asking why fighters come back. They covered Frazier against Cummings and Ali against Berbick. Frazier and Ali didn't appear on the program, but George Foreman did. I don't recall what he said about Ali and Frazier, but when the host asked him if he'd ever come back, George kind of laughed and said something like, "Me? Nah, I'll never come back to boxing."
Sultan Ibrigamov apparently made a fortune in Russian television rights his last three fights, especially vs. Wlad.
Oh - for sure. When I think of Spinks, the way he cashed out always makes me chuckle a bit. In one sense, it looked like a disaster (although, it could have been potentially much worse against Tyson). But, in the way that mattered to his pocket and his retirement, it turned out great for him. Whether it was a bit of luck or a bit of genius or a bit of both, Spinks walked away clean and quietly. He's up there with the smarter retirees, I'd say.
Eder Jofre has had a successful, and a very interesting, life during and after his boxing career. Crazy family, and also beloved in Brazil. A very astute, artistic man who (seemed) to manage his money well. I heard he even had a political career but I am unsure on that. He also notably had an exhibition with Arguello in his middle age (it's on youtube). He still boxed well, and has always, even today, had remarkable health. His rival Harada can also be mentioned. Managed a gym and became the president of the Japanese Boxing Commision. He had a brain haemorrhage but recovered, and now lives easy.
Sorry if he was already mentioned but Danny Little Lopez retired at about 27 years old. He had lost the title to Sanchez and lost the rematch. Little Red called it a career. He got into construction and living well. He always had just enough humility.
Holmes built a house (with a boxing glove shaped pool) in Easton, Pa., when he was champ. Still lives there, never had a house payment. Still married to the same woman. He also invested in real estate in Easton. Built an office building. Leased the bottom floor to the U.S. government on like a 50-year lease as the main post office. Then started leasing offices on other floors to the federal government — the checks always come on time, they never bounce and they’re guaranteed for long beyond the time he’ll be around. Larry also has an office in the building and goes in several days a week still, from what I’ve heard, to manage his various interests. He definitely did it right.
It was a brilliant cash out, absolutely. It was great to see a guy get such a mammoth pay out after showing much greatness but languishing in a talented division not known for big paydays. From memory he and Braxton didn't get much more than a mil for that mouth watering unification. The Holmes rematch garnered 2mil. He got a mil for Tangstad and an eye opening 4mil for Cooney of all people and then Tyson - KABOOM. Got on the gravy train after moving to heavyweight and didn't look back. What an incredibly inspired decision that was - WOW.
