6. Vitali Klitschko $65 Million
“You are a real champion. You talk a lot over the past six months and it is going to be great to show you inside the ring how it is better to resolve wars. Let’s talk in the office.”
Vitali Klichko Vladimirovich (Ukrainian: Віталій Володимирович Кличко, Volodymyrovych Vitali Klichko) (19 July 1971), known under the nickname or alias Doctor Iron Fist, it is a Ukrainian political and professional ex-boxer. He is the leader of the Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform and Member of Parliament of Ukraine. He was actively involved in Ukrainian politics in 2005 and combined his political career with professional boxing, until his retirement in mid-December 2013.
It has not declared officially retired, and does not rule out a return in the future. It was the first world champion of professional boxing in possession of a doctoral degree. On 31 December 2004 he was awarded the most important title of his country, the Hero of Ukraine. In December 2013 he was appointed Champion Emeritus by the WBC because its political activity kept him from defending the title.
Boxing career
“ First world champion with doctoral degree ”
During his career in boxing he was defeated twice by TKO, but still above the scores of the judges in those defeats, against Lennox Lewis, where the fight for a wound he stood in one eye (the three judges gave him unofficially 58-56 in his favor after the sixth assault, where the fight was stopped) and against Chris Byrd (89-82, 88-83 and 88-83 also unofficially gave him his favor) where abandoned because a shoulder injury in the seventh assault.
To win the title of World Boxing Council Vitali and his brother, champion of the International Boxing Federation, World Boxing Organisation and International Boxing Organization, they became the only brothers world champions heavy simultaneously weight and then, in different organizations.
In 1996 he was removed from the Ukrainian national team 1996 Summer Olympics after failing a antidiopaje control. In 2003 he admitted using esteroides. In 2013 was related to the mafia.
5. Sugar Ray Leonard $120 Million
“Boxing is individual, although there’s a team concept because you need a great corner, you need a great trainer, you need a great prep man, you need all of these things, but it’s more of a Mano a Mano; it’s more you versus me. I miss that time in training camp and Dad and Mom cooking meals. It was one big family.”
Sugar Ray Leonard is an American boxer born May 17, 1956 in Palmer Park, Maryland. Having evolved in a unique generation which he dominated the greatest champions (Duran, Hearns, Hagler), it is considered one of the greatest boxers in history.
Olympic champion in Montreal in 1976, he was world champion in five different classes between 1979 and 1989 (light heavyweight at welterweight). Right quick and mobile, with a prodigious rate of reaction and a supersonic glance, it is very confident and has a keen tactical sense.
Winner of Wilfred Benítez for his first world championship, he concedes his first defeat to Roberto Durán June 20, 1980 but won the rematch a few months later by stopping in the 8th round. Leonard beats later Thomas Hearns in what will be according to the Ring Magazine Fight of the 1981 years.
Big return
Sugar Ray Leonard interrupted his career only 26 years due to a detached retina in February 1982. Operated successfully, it goes back in the ring after a three-year retirement in 1987 and beat another big name in boxing Marvelous Marvin Hagler, after a tactical battle. The decision will also very controversée.
He won his fifth and last world title heavyweight 7 November 1988 at the expense of Donny Lalonde then defends his WBC belt by draw against Thomas Hearns (although he went to the mat twice) and beating again Roberto Durán in 1989. Leonard announced his retirement after this victory but fight last two times in 1991 face Terry Norris and in 1997 (at age 41) against Héctor Camacho.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpEJK4Bbc9U
4. Lennox Lewis $130 Million
“The mission I set out on in the beginning – to become heavyweight champion of the world, undisputed, lineal champion – you could say that mission is complete.”
Lennox Lewis ( CBE ) is a former British boxer (nicknamed “The Lion” ) was born on September 2, 1965 in West Ham , London , England. He is globally recognized as one of the best heavyweights of all time , The Ring magazine placed him on number 53 on the list of the best fighters in history.
Career
He represented Canada at the Olympics and then fought as British during his professional career. Along with Vitali Klitschko , Evander Holyfield and Muhammad Ali he is one of only four boxers to win the heavyweight title on three separate occasions. He weighed about 112 kilograms in its heyday.
Lennox then meets a boxer for: British Henry Akinwande, unbeaten in 32 fights, former European champion and current WBO world champion. Lewis leads quickly on judges’ cards, but Akinwande clings very frequently. The referee warns the stop, he eventually interrupt the bout to talk with Akinwande and his coach, the warning that should disqualify him if he continues.
“ One of the best heavyweights of all time ”
He then met on October 4, 1997 the Polish Andrew Golota, coming out of two fights where he manhandled Riddick Bowe. A combination of Lewis calls sent Golota down after a combat minute. The latter is allowed to resume by referee Joe Cortez, but he no longer responding to the blows that Lewis sends and returns to the mat, to general surprise, the battle lasted 1 minute 35. He then beat Shannon Briggs, the having sent ashore to 3 times, he wins by technical knockout in the 5th round and Croat Zeljko Mavrovic undefeated, he fights by unanimous 12 rounds.
He is currently retired and works as a professional boxer and boxing commentator in the chain Home Box Office (HBO ). While fighting as a professional he made almost $80 million and was offered a role in the Ocean’s Eleven movie.