Three-time Wimbledon champion Boris Becker has shockingly been declared bankrupt by a court in London upon failing to pay a handsome amount of debt, which is due since 2015.
The German star’s lawyers pleaded with a Bankruptcy Court registrar on Wednesday to let Becker have a “last chance” of paying off the debt.
But the registrar ruled that there was no substantial evidence that Becker would be able to pay the long-standing debt and refused to adjourn the case.
However, Becker is not the first superstar to have gone broke. Here’s a look at some other famous sportspersons who faced bankruptcy.Mike Tyson was an undisputed boxing champion. He was the youngest ever to win the WBC, WBA and IBF Heavyweight Titles along with being the first man to win 12 of his first 19 fights in the first round by KnockOut
But his fortunes soon turned around with his then-wife accusing him of domestic violence, the death of his trainer who was a father figure to him, a nasty divorce, federal rape charge for which he spent 3 years in prison, possession of drugs and a DIU arrest.
Everything went downhill for Tyson after retirement because of his extravagant lifestyle and uncontrolled expenditure.
He filed for bankruptcy in the US in 2009. He is in a much better state now actively involved in the professional boxing arena in the US.
David James
David James declared himself bankrupt in 2014, just four years after playing as England’s number 1 goalkeeper in the 2010 World Cup.
The former Liverpool and Manchester City player reportedly went broke after having a costly divorce with his wife Tanya in 2005, which led to immense debts.
James played as a player-manager in the first season of the Indian Super League in 2014 with Kerala Blasters FC.Diego Maradona is as famous for the ‘Hand of God’ goal and for the World Cup glory he brought to Argentina as he is for his wayward ways of life.
The Italian authorities in 2009 declared that Maradona owed 37 million euros in unpaid taxes, penalties, charges and interest, out which he paid just 42,000 euros, two luxury watches and a set of earrings.
He is famously known for his involvement with drugs. Despite all that he was once the national coach of Argentina and lost his job in 2010 due to the team’s poor World Cup performance.The famous Liverpool star declared bankruptcy in 2007 for unpaid debts.
Riise was involved in a dispute with his financial advisors and former agent over the expenditure and investment of his fortunes. The court then found his link with a 4 million dollar fraud investigation in Norway.
Riise has represented Delhi Dynamos FC in the Indian Super League during the season 2015-16 and joined Chennaiyin FC in 2016, where he made 10 appearances.New Zealand’s Chris Cairns was once one of the best all-rounders in the world, as Shane Warne described him. But fellow New Zealander Brendon McCullum provided evidence to the International Cricket Council (ICC) on him being involved in spot-fixing and he was banned and put under investigation.
Though he denied the accusations but it all went downhill for him from there.
Reports had emerged in 2014 that he was driving trucks and cleaning bus shelters to make ends meet.Lawrence Taylor is one the most celebrated NFL (National Football League) player. The famous incident where his tackle broke the leg of Joe Thiesmann even inspired the movie ‘Blind Side’
Taylor lived a controversial life where he was known for being involved with random women, openly using cocaine and drinking late in the night. Police even jailed him thrice for posession of cocaine. Moreover, he was also caught for filing a false tax return.
Taylor finally declared himself bankrupt in 1998.George Best was one of football’s earliest worldwide heroes and had a glittering career.
Once the curtains were drawn on his stunning 21-year career, he fell deeply into alcohol, “women and fast cars.”
The alcohol took its toll upon him resulting in need for liver replacement.
Add to that, Best served 3 months in prison for drunk driving and assaulting a police officer but did the same thing again and earned another prison sentence.
