Highest-Paid Boxers in the World

by Luke Andrews, 29 March 2023

Few sports are as dangerous as boxing but potentially lucrative to those participating. In this article, we will look at the highest-paid boxers in the world. We’ll explore their net worth and what factors go into them making so much money. We will also explain pay-per-view’s role in making fighters millionaires. So, if you’re an avid boxing betting fan, join us as we reveal who tops the highest-paid boxers’ rankings.

Who Are the Highest-Paid Boxers in The World?

Some of the highest-paid boxers in the world include Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, Canelo Alvarez and Anthony Joshua. Their net worth ranges from tens to hundreds of millions of pounds. Below you can see the top ten list of the highest-paid boxers in the world. We have included a few retired boxers for reference.

In the next section, we will look in closer detail at some of the boxers on this list and how they made such large amounts of money.

Anthony Joshua’s net worth

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Anthony Joshua has a net worth of approximately £82 million. In 2020, Forbes reported his earnings to be around £38.54 million.

Joshua told GQ that his goal is to become one of the top earners in boxing and sports in general.

“When I first started, the aim was to become a multi-millionaire,” Joshua stated. “But now there are ordinary people, grandmas and grandads, who are worth millions just because of property prices. So the new school of thought is that I need to be a billionaire. Being a millionaire is good but you have to set your sights higher.”

Celebrity Net Worth states that when Joshua defeated Wladimir Klitschko in 2017 to win the WBA heavyweight title, he made about £13.94 million. In his fight against Andy Ruiz Jr. at Madison Square Garden, Joshua earned roughly £20.5 million (including fight night incentives). After losing to Ruiz, Joshua activated his rematch clause. In December 2019, he earned £49.2 million and won the rematch in Saudi Arabia.

When Joshua lost to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021, Total Sportal reported his earnings to be approximately £16.4 million. According to talkSPORT, Joshua earned about £61.5 million in the rematch, plus a fight bonus from sponsorships and PPV numbers.

Outside of fighting, Joshua has kept busy. In June 2022, he signed a reported £82 million deal with DAZN, leaving Sky Sports for an exclusive partnership. Joshua became a shareholder, special advisor, and brand ambassador, joining DAZN’s strategic advisory board for its global expansion of boxing content.

“I am entering a new phase in my career with a new training environment, new coaches, and now a new broadcaster,” Joshua stated in a release.

“Negotiations at this level take time, so I am pleased to have it all wrapped up, and now I can fully focus on giving the fans and DAZN what they want – knockouts in the glamour division.” Joshua has partnered with several organizations over the years. He has been sponsored by Under Armour, Jaguar Land Rover, Beats by Dre, Hugo Boss, Sky Sports, and DAZN.

As one of the most famous boxers globally, Joshua has a large social media following. He has over 15 million followers on Instagram, more than 7.3 million followers on Facebook, and 3.4 million followers on Twitter.

Anthony Joshua was a fan favourite with boxing betting fans before his losses to Usyk. He has the opportunity to get back to winning ways with a fight against Jermaine Franklin at the weekend. Many experts feel this is the “last chance saloon” for AJ.

Witness The Rise 🔥

Only on DAZN, visit https://www.dazn.com/ #AJonDAZN pic.twitter.com/RdXLi1gZcB

— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) March 16, 2023

Tyson Fury’s Net Worth

Tyson Fury should have a respectable amount of cash on hand considering that he is the current heavyweight world champion and is undefeated in his career, which began in 2008. Fury earned £13 million (about $17 million) in the fiscal year that ended in 2021, claims TalkSport.

After the “Gypsy King” defeated Dereck Chisora in December 2022 and is anticipated to face Oleksandr Usyk at some point, the figure for 2023 is probably going to be in the same general area. It wouldn’t be a shock if Tyson Fury’s present net worth of £52.89 million didn’t quadruple if he competed in a fight in a Middle Eastern country next.

Fury’s income comes from various sources, including fight purses, pay-per-view sales, and endorsements. In addition, he has been involved in several high-stakes fights that have generated substantial earnings.

His three fights with American Deontay Wilder which resulted in Fury claiming the WBC heavyweight title was a significant moneymaker for the Brit. His last fight was against Dereck Chisora, which was a bit of a disappointment after months of hype about a potential fight between Fury and Anthony Joshua, but it did not harm his bank balance.

LET’S HAVE IT THEN DEL BOY!!!! SEE YOU DECEMBER 3RD LONDON! @SpursOfficial @DerekWarChisora pic.twitter.com/3cKofPXNtI

— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) October 20, 2022

In addition to his boxing success, Fury has also leveraged his fame to generate income through various endorsements and sponsorships. His charismatic personality and comeback story has resonated with fans, making him an attractive figure for brands to partner with.

According to Forbes, Fury earned a reported £5.70 million through endorsements alone. Fury’s main sponsor is WOW Hydrate, a sports drink brand focused on fitness hydration. Fury has also signed a deal with ESPN, the network of Top Rank, for over £83 million. In addition, Fury has his own merchandise line and an energy drink called Furocity. Other sponsors on his list include MTK Global and Boxraw, Jaxet, Lomus, Rival, and WePlay Esports.

Tyson Fury is not the only family member who has made a lot of money from the sport.

Tyson’s half-brother Tommy, a former star on the reality television show “Love Island,” is also a professional fighter. He made his professional debut in a fight against Anthony Taylor in August 2021. Fury, who fought on the undercard of the Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley fight, won by unanimous decision.

Tommy Fury’s net worth was estimated to be over £3.25m before a lucrative fight with Jake Paul. For that fight, which Tommy won, he made at least £3.7m and had a 65% stake in the pay-per-view sales.

Tyson Fury’s last six fights;

Dillian Whyte’s Net Worth

Dillian, “The Body Snatcher” Whyte, is a Brixton-born heavyweight fighter who needs no introduction to British boxing fans. Whyte has a professional record of 29 wins and three defeats. His three defeats have come against Anthony Joshua (12-12-2015), Alexander Povetkin (22-08-2020) and Tyson Fury (23-04-2022).

Notable fighters that Dillian has beaten include former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, former WBA heavyweight champion Lucas Browne, and British heavyweight contender Dereck Chisora. Whyte has also held various titles during his career. In 2016, he won the vacant British heavyweight title by defeating Ian Lewison. Whyte later captured the WBC Silver heavyweight title in 2017 by defeating Robert Helenius and successfully defended that title multiple times.

In 2020, Whyte briefly held the WBC interim heavyweight title before losing it to Alexander Povetkin, but he regained the title in their rematch in 2021.

Dillian Whyte’s net worth in 2021 was approximately £12.25 million and has increased to around £16.33 million in 2022, thanks to his consistent performance in the boxing ring. Dillian has expressed an interest in fighting in the cage in a mixed martial art (MMA) bout against Francis Ngannou, which could be a moneyspinner.

Dillian Whyte vs Francis Ngannou in boxing AND MMA anyone? 👀

🍿 @DillianWhyte certainly fancies his chances…

(Source: @SkySportsBoxing)#DillianWhyte #FrancisNgannou #BoxingFans pic.twitter.com/B0l4Hj1kYA

— IFL TV (@IFLTV) January 21, 2023

Oleksandr Usyk’s Net Worth

Oleksandr Usyk’s outstanding boxing career and numerous championship medals have contributed to his projected net worth of roughly £12.25 million.

Oleksandr Usyk is a professional boxer from Ukraine who has had great success in his career. His professional record is 20 wins, 0 losses, and 0 draws as of September 2021, with 65% of those victories coming by way of knockout.

Oleksandr Usyk’s already great legacy was created in the cruiserweight division as he became the first boxer in history to simultaneously hold all four major world titles (WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO).

One of his finest wins at cruiserweight was on September 17, 2016 when he beat the previously undefeated Krzysztof Glowacki (26-0-0) to claim the WBO title. Thabiso Mchunu, Michael Hunter, and Marco Huck were beaten soon after.

Usyk in 2018 added the WBC belt by beating Mairis Briedis in January, and six months later, a win over Murat Gassiev meant he unified the division.

A year later, he moved up to the heavyweight division and successfully fought Chazz Witherspoon and Derek Chisora. However, his crowning glory came on September 25, 2021, when he fought Britain’s Anthony Joshua by a unanimous decision victory, winning the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight belts.

Compared to other boxers like Floyd Mayweather Jr. Oleksandr Usyk’s net worth of £12.25 million seems modest. Still, as holder of three of the four heavyweight belts, a fight to unify the division would almost certainly see him double his fortune.

Unfortunately there seems to be a curse around the heavyweight division at the moment with getting fights over the line. Last year a blockbuster fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury seemed an almost certainty, but it never took place. Similarly, a fight between Fury and Usyk had been arranged for April 2023 at Wembley Stadium, but that now looks dead in the water. Instead, many believe this fight will occur later in the year and will likely be in Saudi Arabia which will be a huge payday.

Oleksandr Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk trolling Tyson Fury on social media today… pic.twitter.com/EVlJaGzAk5

— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) March 25, 2023

Usyk’s Last six fights;

Manny Pacquiao’s Net Worth

Manny Pacquiao, known as the “Pac-Man,” is a Filipino boxer with a net worth of around £179 million. He is a legendary figure in boxing and has held titles in an astonishing eight different weight classes, the flyweight, super bantamweight, featherweight, super featherweight, lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight, and light middleweight divisions. Making him one of the most formidable pound-for-pound fighters ever to have graced the sport.

Pacquiao departed from his family as an adolescent, secretly boarding a vessel destined for Manila, where he embarked on a boxing career. On January 22, 1995, the 16-year-old Pacquiao made his professional debut as a junior flyweight. His high-energy fights and charismatic grin quickly endeared him to Filipino fans through a television program called Blow by Blow. On December 4, 1998, he claimed his first significant victory, defeating Thailand’s Chatchai Sasakul to seize the World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight title.

However, after being unable to make the required weight, Pacquiao lost the title to Thailand’s Medgoen Singsurat in September 1999.

Undeterred, Pacquiao ascended in weight class, and on June 23, 2001, in his inaugural US bout, he triumphed over Lehlo Ledwaba with a sixth-round knockout, securing the International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior featherweight title. Then, after four successful defences, Pacquiao vanquished Mexico’s Marco Antonio Barrera on November 15, 2003, earning the title of The Ring magazine featherweight champion.

Throughout his career, Pacquiao has faced numerous legendary fighters, including the likes of Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Oscar De La Hoya.

Oversize program in my #boxing collection from a mega fight I covered at ringside, when the legendary @MannyPacquiao upset Oscar De La Hoya by one-sided 8th-round annihilation & sent him into retirement in one of his one of his biggest victories — 14 years ago tonight. pic.twitter.com/oEcPqWDLUV

— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) December 7, 2022

He owns a fantastic record of 62 victories, eight defeats, and two draws, with 39 of those wins (54.17%) coming via knockout. His impressive record and longevity in the sport showcase his remarkable talent and dedication to the sport of boxing.

As Pacquiao’s popularity soared, he transitioned into the world of entertainment, making guest appearances on ABS-CBN shows and soon signing a contract as an actor and host with the network. In December 2005, Pacquiao made his leading role debut in Violett Films’ Lisensyadong Kamao (Licensed Fist). According to director Tony Bernal, the film’s title highlights Pacquiao’s status as a licensed boxer.

After his contract with ABS-CBN expired, Pacquiao joined GMA Network in September 2007 as an actor and host. He went on to appear in the network’s infotainment show Pinoy Records and other projects such as Totoy Bato and the sitcom Show Me Da Manny. In the latter, he starred alongside Marian Rivera and his mother, Dionisia. Pacquiao also hosted his own game show, Manny Many Prizes, where he distributed prizes to the audience.

In 2008, Pacquiao appeared alongside Ara Mina and Valerie Concepcion in Anak ng Kumander (Child of a Commander). The film received poor reviews and failed to achieve commercial success. Pacquiao then starred in the 2009 superhero/comedy film Wapakman, which premiered during the 2009 Metro Manila Film Festival. Unfortunately, Wapakman did not perform well at the box office like his earlier movies.

In 2020, Pacquiao was cast to portray General Miguel Malvar in the biopic film Malvar: Tuloy ang Laban, centered around the Philippine hero. The casting decision garnered mixed reactions from the Malvar family. Gabriel, the grandson of General Malvar’s youngest child Pablo, expressed concern that Pacquiao’s fame might overshadow his movie character. On the other hand, Villegas, the son of Malvar’s daughter Isabel, supported the casting choice.

Manny Pacquiao had an extensive political career, serving in the House of Representatives from 2010 to 2016 and the Senate from 2016 to 2022. Despite struggling with attendance and bill passage during his time in Congress, Pacquiao enacted four laws from the bills he filed. Pacquiao ran for the presidency in the 2022 elections but finished third, ultimately conceding to the winner, Bongbong Marcos. During his political career, Pacquiao tackled issues such as human trafficking, drug enforcement, and sports regulation, although he faced criticism for his lack of experience and knowledge in certain areas.

What is Manny Pacquiao’s net worth and career earnings? According to Celebrity Net Worth, Manny Pacquiao has a net worth of £179.66m.

Canelo Alvarez’s Net Worth

Widely recognised as the most formidable fighter of our time, Santos Saul “Canelo” Alvarez hails from Guadalajara, Mexico, where he was born on July 18th, 1990. The youngest among seven siblings, Alvarez began his boxing journey at the age of 13, following in the footsteps of his six brothers, all of whom went on to become professional boxers.

Today, Canelo Alvarez stands as a four-division world champion and the biggest superstar in the boxing world. His remarkable achievements have been further bolstered by a five-year, £296 million fight contract he signed with DAZN and Oscar De La Hoya’s promotion company, significantly boosting his net worth.

Throughout his illustrious career, Canelo has amassed millions from numerous bouts, including £1 million against Sugar Shane Mosley, £1.62 million against Josesito Lopez, and a £81,000 knockout bonus courtesy of De La Hoya’s promotion.

Despite his loss to Floyd Mayweather, Canelo still earned a staggering £4 million. Manny Pacquiao was once offered a £52 million purse to face off against Canelo in Mexico but ultimately declined the opportunity.

Here are some of Canelo Alvarez’s career highlights;

On September 17, 2022, the boxing world witnessed a highly anticipated third showdown between Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin. The thrilling trilogy bout culminated in a unanimous decision victory for Canelo, following a contentious draw in their first encounter and a debatable win for him in their second.

Years prior, on July 12, 2014, Canelo Alvarez went toe-to-toe with Erislandy Lara in a closely fought battle. Canelo emerged the victor via a contentious split decision, with numerous fans and boxing pundits arguing that Lara had done enough to secure the win.

Fast forward to November 2, 2019, when Canelo Alvarez boldly moved up two weight divisions to challenge Sergey Kovalev for the WBO light heavyweight championship. Demonstrating his power and skill, Canelo claimed a stunning 11th round knockout triumph.

In a star-studded matchup on November 21, 2015, Canelo Alvarez faced off against Miguel Cotto for the WBC middleweight title. Canelo emerged victorious, capturing the prestigious belt through a unanimous decision, as the two boxing icons put on a memorable show.

Canelo Alvarez’s career earnings are estimated at more than $225 million (£182.81m) throughout his 62 fights. Canelo’s boxing record stands at 58-2-2 (39 KO wins). He has a chance to increase his earnings as he faces Britain’s John Ryder on 6 May 2023 in Mexico.

Undisputed Early Access begins on January 31st, exclusively on Steam. #BecomeUndisputed 🥊

Wishlist:https://store.steampowered.com/app/1451190/ pic.twitter.com/ZqKGMsVNpu

— Undisputed (@PlayUndisputed) January 12, 2023

Alvarez also features in a new computer game alongside other legendary boxers.

Canelo Alvarez’s recent fights;

Highest-Paid Boxers in the World: Endorsements and Sponsorships

Many of the highest-paid boxers in the world also earn a significant portion of their income from endorsements and sponsorships. These deals can range from sportswear and equipment to luxury brands and consumer products. For instance, Floyd Mayweather has endorsement deals with luxury watch brand Hublot and sports betting platform FanDuel, while Anthony Joshua has partnerships with Under Armour, Jaguar, and Beats by Dre.

Highest-Paid Boxers in the World: The impact of pay-per-view revenue

Pay-per-view (PPV) revenue is another crucial factor in determining the income of top boxers. High-profile fights often generate millions of dollars in PPV sales, which are then shared between the fighters, promoters, and broadcasters. For example, the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight in 2015 generated over $400 million (£325m) in PPV revenue, with both fighters receiving substantial payouts from this income source.

Pay-per-view (PPV) in boxing has a storied history dating back to the 20th century. PPV has played a significant role in the commercialisation and growth of the sport, generating millions of dollars in revenue for fighters and promoters alike.

Here is an overview of the history of PPV in boxing:

The Swinging ’70s: The boxing world witnessed a game-changing moment in 1971 when the colossal clash between Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali, dubbed the “Fight of the Century,” became the first major pay-per-view (PPV) event. This electrifying bout started a revolution in the commercialisation of boxing as millions of fans across the United States and beyond tuned in via closed-circuit broadcast.

The Dazzling ’80s: As cable television emerged, the PPV model evolved from closed-circuit broadcasts. The groundbreaking 1980 face-off between Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Durán marked the first cable PPV event. This decade also introduced the world to the unstoppable force that was Mike Tyson, whose adrenaline-pumping fights drew massive PPV audiences and raked in impressive revenues.

The Dynamic ’90s: Boxing’s popularity as a prime PPV spectacle continued to soar in the 1990s. Iconic fights, such as the 1996 showdown between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield, thrust the sport to unprecedented heights in terms of PPV revenue and viewership.

The 2000s and Beyond: The 21st century heralded some of the most profitable PPV events in boxing history. Titans like Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, and Canelo Alvarez headlined blockbuster bouts that captivated audiences worldwide. The epic 2015 “Fight of the Century” featuring Mayweather and Pacquiao shattered all previous PPV records, amassing over 4.6 million buys and generating a staggering £325 million in revenue.

Notable Fights with High Purses

In the world of boxing, history has witnessed colossal purses for some of its most prominent fighters. At the pinnacle stands Floyd Mayweather, a legendary athlete with the largest boxing contract ever, amounting to £365.62 million. Annually, Mayweather could effortlessly rake in £120 to £243 million, with an extra £8.25 million from endorsements.

Recent times have seen four fighters listed in Forbes’ Top 100 highest-paid athletes. Tyson Fury secured the 11th spot, while fellow heavyweights Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder claimed the 19th and 20th positions, respectively. These rankings illustrate the immense financial benefits reaped by top-tier boxers participating in high-stakes bouts.

However, it is essential to acknowledge that the majority of boxers do not experience such extraordinary paydays. An examination of boxing purses discovered that the top 10% of fighters received a staggering 95% of all income, revealing a substantial pay gap between the highest earners and the remaining fighters.

In Forbes’s world’s highest-paid athletes list, three boxers made the top 50 for 2022. Canelo Alvarez made the top ten (8th), while Tyson Fury (18th) and Jake Paul also made the top 50 (46th).