Compare to other all time high paydays? He was paid 20 million dollars for that fight, correct? That's a modern day payday, yes?
In 1988, Tyson's share of the "Once and For All" purse was the highest amount ever paid a professional boxer, and it reflected the fight's importance. Two undefeated heavyweights fighting for the unified title; the only precedent for this was the Ali-Frazier Fight of the Century star-studded extravaganza at the Garden in 1971. Michael Spinks was a genuine winner, the never-before-floored, undisputed light-heavy champ who had proven himself at heavy with two victories over Larry Holmes and Gerry Cooney. Tyson seemed a never-before-witnessed blast of force from nature, who had unified all the belts in under two years, but had his doubters. Spinks stood in his way, considered by Ring Magazine the true champ, a polished, seasoned, extremely successful professional. The prefight anticipation made the cover of Time Magazine. The way Tyson destroyed, first Spinks' confidence, and then Spinks' defensive and offensive attributes in the ring is a truly unique gem, up there with Louis' destruction of Schmeling, as an example of how a great fighter comes through in a bout that transcends the sport and catches the imagination of the world.
I dont know how much De La Hoya pay-per-views work out at, but I'm told he sells big. And as he and Mayweather promote their own fights too I reckon they make stacks. But 30 million ? Dunno about that. Possibly Lewis-Tyson. Tyson's probably generated more money than any other fighter in history. Almost certainly. And the corporate media have spent a lot of time attacking this man. Without him I'm not sure the PPV formula would have survived.
Actually you'd be even more suprised to know that De La Hoya made $50 million from the Mayweather fight.