Evander Holyfield didn't think it could get any better when he and his brother moved from his mother's crowded house into what he calls a "luxury" housing project apartment in Atlanta.

Fast-forward more than 20 years, and the highway that runs outside of the veteran boxer's 235-acre estate is named after him.

"I was supposed to be poor coming up, but somehow I went to Disney World every year because someone paid for it," he told reporters moments before the gates to his estate were opened for his annual invite-only "July 4th Extravaganza." "I come from a background where July 4th meant you got a short set and went to the parade and that was a big deal."

Holyfield took questions from the center of a boxing ring casually dressed in khaki shorts, a purple polo shirt, and a Burberry bucket hat.

"Today these kids will get to say that they came to my house and that they swam in my pool. I want people to see all of this so that they can dream big," he said, grinning from ear to ear. "I just hope that when they get older they'll do the same thing for someone else. I just want everyone to have a great time today."

And man, what a day it was.

The boxer's estate has all the trappings of a Cribs episode -- horse stable, Olympic-sized pool, basketball court, baseball field, boxing gym, elaborate guest house and of course, two manmade lakes. There were enough ribs, hot dogs, salads, and baked beans to feed two armies. The 1000-plus visitors to the estate were allowed to roam wherever they pleased, but no one was allowed inside the boxer's palatial home.

"Being here is a phenomenal experience," said Bev Kearney, head women's track & field coach at the University of Texas. "I watched those kids play at the pool and I'm sure it raised a lot of their aspirations. Seeing them treated in such a respectful manner and being exposed to quality is truly amazing."

The mega-cookout was capped off by a concert featuring selected gospel acts from Holyfield's record label and a fireworks display that jammed traffic for miles around the suburban estate.

Now that's the real deal.

Mister Mann Frisby is a frequent contributor to ESPN The Magazine.