Boxing, often referred to as the “sweet science,” is a combat sport that’s been around for centuries. With the melding of pure athleticism, strategy, and raw power, it’s no surprise that boxing remains one of the most-watched sports worldwide. Over the years, certain boxers, through a combination of skill, charisma, and savvy business acumen, have managed to earn incredible paydays, sometimes for a single night’s work. Here, we delve into the top 5 highest paid boxers in the world of all time.
1. Floyd Mayweather
Widely recognized as one of the greatest boxers of all time, Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. is also arguably the most financially successful. With an unblemished 50-0 record, Mayweather knew how to market himself both as an impeccable athlete and as a showman.
One of the primary sources of Mayweather’s immense wealth came from his 2015 fight against Manny Pacquiao, billed as the “Fight of the Century.” This bout alone garnered over 4.6 million pay-per-view buys, leading to a paycheck that reportedly exceeded $220 million for Mayweather.
Additionally, Mayweather’s bout against MMA superstar Conor McGregor in 2017, a crossover event, further padded his earnings. Floyd reportedly took home over $300 million from that single fight. With strategic promotions, self-owned Mayweather Promotions, and several other business ventures, Floyd Mayweather tops the list as the highest earning boxer of all time.
2. Anthony Joshua
British heavyweight Anthony Joshua has rapidly ascended to become one of boxing’s premier attractions. With Olympic gold in 2012 and subsequent domination in the professional arena, Joshua has amassed significant wealth in a relatively short period.
One of his most lucrative fights came in 2017 when he faced Wladimir Klitschko in front of a record 90,000 fans at Wembley Stadium. This match was a significant payday for Joshua, but his earnings have been consistently impressive, often raking in tens of millions per fight. His endorsements, including deals with Under Armour, Jaguar, and Beats, have further solidified his position as one of the sport’s top earners.
3. Tyson Fury
The “Gypsy King” Tyson Fury, with his amazing character and extraordinary boxing ability, has seen a fantasy resurgence lately. In the wake of confronting individual difficulties and taking a break from boxing, Rage made a victorious return, coming full circle in his blockbuster rematch against Deontay More out of control in 2020.
Fury’s earnings have skyrocketed with his return. The More stunning rematch, for instance, dependable the two warriors around $28 million, barring pay-per-view shares. With a progression of battles arranged and his ubiquity taking off, Tyson Rage’s profit keep on climbing, hardening his spot among the game’s monetary elites.
4. Deontay Wilder
Deontay “The Bronze Plane” More out of control, known for his fierce power and high knockout proportion, has been a predominant power in the heavyweight division. While he’s known for his boxing ability, More out of control has likewise demonstrated to be a canny money manager.
More out of control’s most huge income have come from his battles against Tyson Anger. Their most memorable session in 2018 saw More out of control bringing back home a sound total, however it was their 2020 rematch that truly supported his profit. With a surefire handbag and a portion of the compensation per-view income, More stunning’s complete profit from the rematch were accounted for to be around $30 million. With potential future superfights on the horizon, Wilder’s earning potential remains incredibly high.
5. Logan Paul
A controversial inclusion on this rundown, Logan Paul, is more known for his YouTube popularity than his boxing family. In any case, there’s no denying the monetary achievement he’s accomplished in the confining domain a brief time frame. Paul’s endeavor into boxing started with a middle class beginner session against individual YouTuber KSI in 2018. The occasion was a monetary achievement, prompting an expert rematch which drew critical compensation per-view numbers.
Paul’s truly monetary bonus accompanied his show match against Floyd Mayweather in 2021. While it was anything but an expert challenge, the occasion was a gigantic compensation for every view draw. Reports propose that Logan Paul made around $20 million from the session, a noteworthy figure for somebody with such a short boxing vocation.