5 of the highest-paid boxers of all time
Boxing was one of the most popular in the United States and remains so across the globe to this day.
The sport of pugilism is one of the oldest in the world. Boxing was one of the most popular in the United States and remains so across the globe to this day. Over the decades, boxing’s popularity has waned in the United States due to various factors. Still, when it comes to large-scale events that attract fans and celebrities from all walks of life, few can compare to a highly anticipated boxing match between two of the sport’s best fighters.
Thanks to the rise of social media, every aspect of an athlete’s life is under scrutiny. They are not only sports icons but also role models and sources of inspiration for many. What is often discussed the most among fans about athletes is the amount of money they earn. Fans can sometimes become obsessed with an athlete’s earnings — so much so that they act like they are on the payroll. What an athlete earns has become a determining factor in an athlete’s greatness and all-time ranking in debates for fans of this generation.
While boxers and combat sports fighters may not earn wages that match those of NBA, NFL, and MLB athletes on a broader scale, there have been instances where a single fight night can yield earnings comparable to a year’s salary of a baseball, football, or basketball player.
According to a report made by Sportico in 2023 on the highest-paid athletes in history, seven boxers are on that list. The report factors in fight night purses, endorsements, and other sources of income adjusted for inflation. The featured fighters won’t surprise many as they are some of the most well-known and influential in the history of boxing.
Fansided MMA will look at five of the highest-paid boxers of all time and the biggest payouts of their careers.
Floyd Mayweather
It comes as no surprise that Floyd Mayweather Jr. is among the highest-paid boxers of all time. The undefeated defensive savant changed the course of his career in the 2000s when he adopted the moniker ‘Money’ Mayweather and played the villain role.
Mayweather’s marketing strategy paid dividends, leading to a string of highly successful PPV events that shattered records. Over a decade, he headlined a series of PPVs that garnered millions of buys, starting in 2007 and culminating in 2017. His 2015 bout with Manny Pacquiao, for instance, not only set a record as Nevada’s largest live gate for a boxing match but also became the highest-selling PPV of all time at 4.6 million buys.
Mayweather’s highest payout occurred in his final professional match against MMA superstar Conor McGregor. He reportedly made over $280 million for his fight with McGregor, which stands as the single biggest payout in the sport’s history.
Sportico lists Mayweather as the 10th highest-paid athlete of all time, having earned 1.14 billion (1.48 billion adjusted for inflation) over his career.
Mike Tyson
Other than the late Muhammad Ali, perhaps no fighter is as well known as former heavyweight champion Iron Mike Tyson. In 1986, at 20 years old, he became the youngest heavyweight champion in boxing history when he stopped Trevor Berbick in two rounds.
Since he first came on the national scene, Tyson has had an aura surrounding him that earned him an infatuated fanbase that maintained an unwavering belief that he could knock out anyone he steps in the ring with. The knockouts coincided with his controversial antics in and out of the ring. Tyson’s highest payout was in the rematch with rival Evander Holyfield at $30 million. The fight is widely remembered for Tyson being disqualified for biting Holyfield’s ear.
After almost two decades out of the ring, Tyson will return to the ring this year against Jake Paul. Despite being close to 60, Tyson may end up with one of his highest paydays after taking on the social media star.
According to Sportico, Tyson is the 19th highest-paid athlete of all time, having earned $460 million ($905 million) in his nearly 20-year career.
Manny Pacquiao
The story of Manny Pacquiao will be remembered as one of the most inspiring in sports. Boxing’s only eight-division world champion rose from poverty to the grandest stages while maintaining an infectious personality and providing fans with some of the most exciting fights the sport has seen. Of all the fighters on this list, Pacquiao undoubtedly gave fans their money’s worth on the most consistent basis.
Earning up to $565 million ($750 million) over his career, Pacquiao was part of boxing’s highest-grossing event against Floyd Mayweather in 2015. Similar to Mayweather, Pacquiao’s career springboarded after he fought Oscar De La Hoya in 2008. This also led to another series of PPV events that sold over a million buys.
Pacquiao’s rags-to-riches story mirrored his boxing career, filled with ups and downs. Yet, the southpaw dynamo who went on to become a congressman and senator in his native Philippines always carried a smile to the ring with him. It only seems fitting that a fighter who loved fighting as much as Pacquiao could also reap the rewards of his passion.
George Foreman
For a generation of fans, the former heavyweight champion George Foreman is remembered in a variety of ways. For some, Foreman was a menacing knockout artist who was running through the heavyweight division in the 1970s.
In the 1990s, he became more of an inspirational figure known for his personality and one of the most successful athlete brand products with the “George Foreman Grill.”
In 1994, over twenty years after he defeated Joe Frazier to win his first heavyweight title, Foreman shocked the world by stopping Michael Moorer in 10 rounds with a right hand after taking a beating for the majority of the fight. At 46 years old, Foreman would be crowned the WBA and IBF heavyweight champion.
He still holds the record of being the oldest heavyweight champion of all time and is considered one of the heaviest punchers in boxing history. Throughout his career, Foreman earned $360 million ($705 million) from 1969 to 1997, with a ten-year gap between 1977 and 1987.
Oscar De La Hoya
Boxing’s Golden Boy has found success on all levels of boxing. As an amateur, he won a gold medal at the 1992 Olympic games, setting a path to become boxing’s most popular fighter for almost two decades.
De La Hoya was a 10-time world champion and won titles in six weight classes, becoming one of the most accomplished in boxing history. He has been part of some of the highest-selling PPVs of all time with an almost unmatched resume of elite fighters.
In the midst of his career, he started his own promotional company, Golden Boy, and has had a hand in the careers of boxing’s biggest names. Fighters like Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather became more prominent stars after fighting De La Hoya. Canelo Alvarez became an international star under De La Hoya’s company.
Over his professional career, De La Hoya made $410 million ($685 million) as he continues to be a significant name in the sport, which should continue for years to come.
Originally published at FansidedMMA on May 06, 2024