In 1982, Buffer began his career as a ring announcer. By 1983, he was announcing all boxing matches promoted by Bob Arum's Top Rank on ESPN, which gave him a national identity at a time when ring announcers were strictly locally hired talent. By 1984, Buffer developed the catchphrase "Let's get ready to rumble" in his announcing, which gained enormous popularity. He began the process of obtaining a federal trademark for the phrase in the 1980s, which he acquired in 1992. By the late 1980s, Buffer was the exclusive ring announcer for all bouts in Donald Trump-owned casinos. Trump said of Buffer, "He's great, he's the choice, he has a unique ability... I told my people, 'We got to have him.'" Buffer's work was also admired by many of the boxing greats. Sugar Ray Leonard once said, "When [Buffer] introduces a fighter, it makes him want to fight." Buffer's fame has reunited him with long lost family members. In 1989, Buffer was contacted by his birth father after having seen him on television, who introduced him to his half-brothers. In the mid-1990s, Buffer brought on one of his half-brothers, Bruce Buffer, as his agent/manager. This grew into a business partnership to increase licensing productivity of the trademark. Michael Buffer is currently the announcer for all HBO and RTL (Germany) boxing matches, along with Versus matches promoted by Top Rank. He was formerly the announcer for WCW. His half-brother Bruce is the announcer for leading mixed martial arts promotion, Ultimate Fighting Championship. Both Michael and Bruce are grandsons of late boxer Johnny Buff. Buffer was treated for throat cancer and is in remission. Buffer began using the phrase "Let's get ready to rumble!" in the early 1980s. By 1992, he acquired a federal trademark for the phrase. Buffer uses his famous phrase in various licensing deals. As of 2009, Buffer had earned over $400 million from licensing on the trademark.
I've read from a few sources that he earns between $25-30k per fight. Not bad when you consider the hourly rate. The guy will get free front row tickets to see the biggest and best fights and get paid silly money to be there.
Talk about being lucky. I remember something that he thought he would just try it out. Made up a bs resume and eventually came up with his catchphrase. :yep Some men are born genius.