Boxing is among the most thrilling sports you can be part of
What could be more nerve-wracking than standing across someone who’s trained their entire life to physically hurt you as they aim to do so? Still, boxers are used to being in those situations. So, some of them rely on other forms of entertainment to produce the missing thrill in their lives: gambling.
Over the years, we’ve seen plenty of fighting legends express their love of playing games for money, and some of them have been quite successful at it. Though boxers often stick to poker and similar old-school games, nowadays you can see them playing something more original, like the Aviator Game in CasinoDays India. We see more and more celebrities trying these types of games from their homes, as online gaming has become more popular. Regardless, let’s discuss some of the most famous boxers who are known to be gambling enthusiasts.
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Without a doubt, Floyd Mayweather Jr. is the most successful boxer of all time. What he’s done in the world of boxing can’t be compared to other greats, as Floyd was successful in keeping his zero and making more money than anyone else at the same time. Though he didn’t have the most exciting style, Floyd managed to create a persona that people wanted to see lose but never got to. However, Mayweather Jr. isn’t only a world-class boxer; his love for playing high-stakes games has given him the reputation of being one of the biggest celebrity gamblers in the world.
Mike Tyson
At one point in history, Mike Tyson was the baddest man on the planet. He was feared by anyone with a TV, and his dominance in the ring created that buzz. However, the thrill of gambling was also one of his passions. Throughout his career, we’ve seen Tyson enjoy all sorts of extravagant items, showing that his spending habits don’t really help his bank account. However, Tyson was also willing to risk some of his budget at private poker games. So, we’d often read about these games in the paper or hear about them on the streets. Nowadays, Tyson is getting back into the ring, but we don’t know if he ever left the poker tables.
Manny Pacquiao
In addition to what he has achieved inside the squared circle, Manny Pacquiao is also known as a gambler. The Philippines’ multi-weight division boxing champion has been seen in casinos all over the world, gambling from one training session or fight to another. Despite being born into poverty, Pacquiao’s success in the sport of boxing has enabled him to live large, including engaging in high-stakes games. His daring attitude toward his profession of being a boxer seems to mesh well with his love for risk-taking.
Oscar De La Hoya
One of the greatest and most successful boxers of his generation, Oscar De La Hoya also made forays into gambling. Known as “The Golden Boy,” his ability and charm earned him worldwide recognition in the field of boxing. Apart from that given nickname, you will find out that De La Hoya still visits casinos and participates in some massive poker games. In these games, you can see that De La Hoya shows different sides of himself inside and outside of the ring.
Evander Holyfield
Four-time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield is admired for his determination and the ability to recover from the difficulties inside the ring. Nevertheless, Holyfield is also famous for his gambling hobby. Even after going through the financial crisis of his career, Holyfield was seen at the casinos and racetracks, where he was still into the thrill of betting on sports events and the games of chance. Holyfield’s readiness to take risks has helped him a lot in the ring, where he has faced difficulties.
These boxing icons have already made a name for themselves, but their love for gambling adds another layer to their larger-than-life personalities. To this day, most of them still play casino games for fun.