How much did George Foreman earn for the initial comeback run before Cooney fight?

[funso banjo baby]

It's unfair to call it a bum of the month tour. big George embarked on a rehabilitation series of fights that led to the now legendary title win. But how much do we think he earned for these rights prior to the Cooney money spinner?

[Ambling Alp II]

Not nearly as much. I remember Bob Arum talking about this once. I think he was only getting something like $20-25K for those ESPN fights. Think he had a a couple on USA network, but that was probably similar. He probably got even less for his few fights that weren't on TV.

[adislav123]

20k was more like 50 mid 80's, still seems quite the meager compensation from espn for big george coming back.

you sure you didn't loose a digit and it was more like 250k per fight?

[Ambling Alp II]

20k was more like 50 mid 80's, still seems quite the meager compensation from espn for big george coming back.

you sure you didn't loose a digit and it was more like 250k per fight?

No, it something like $25K. Arum said that he was embarrassed to offer Foreman only that much. Those ESPN fights were not big money at all. foreman really wasn't fighting those fights for the money. He wanted to get rid of some of the ring rust, get some attention, and eventually get some big paydays. and he did.