A die-hard fan recently spent more than $3,000 for something unusual: a social media follow from Mike Tyson. According to Darren Rovell, founder of Cllct Media, Goldin Auctions included the one-of-a-kind prize in its final auction of 2025.
At the height of his career, Tyson earned millions per fight, but financial troubles later pushed him into bankruptcy. Through exhibition bouts and smarter business moves, he rebuilt his fortune and now earns income from multiple ventures, including autographs, memorabilia, and collectibles. Still, being paid for an Instagram follow is a new chapter.
Six bids were placed, with one fan ultimately paying $3,304 to secure Tyson’s follow on Instagram. The auction also featured an original fight contract from Tyson’s September 1996 bout against Bruce Seldon at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas—a first-round knockout win. The document carried signatures from Tyson, Don King, Rory Holloway, and John Horne, and the fight is historically notable for taking place the same night Tupac Shakur was fatally shot after leaving the venue.
The winner has not been publicly identified, but they would become the 300th account Tyson follows, joining names like Joe Rogan, Dana White, and Tyson Fury. Whether an Instagram follow is worth over $3,000 is up for debate, and it’s unclear how much of the proceeds Tyson personally receives.
The 59-year-old boxing legend is also preparing for an exhibition bout with Floyd Mayweather, potentially set for Africa in March 2026. Beyond that, Tyson has expressed interest in a rematch with Jake Paul, who recently suffered his first knockout loss when Anthony Joshua broke his jaw.
Reflecting on his previous loss to Paul in 2024, Tyson admitted he trained too hard and peaked too early. Now, he believes experience has made him better prepared for another run.