Boxing is a demanding and physically punishing sport that carries the risk of life-altering injuries. It’s difficult to make a decent living boxing at the amateur or low professional levels, but those who reach the pinnacle of the sport can make more than the best and highest-paid athletes in other sports. Marquee boxing matches attract substantial promotion and betting, allowing boxers to earn over $1 million, irrespective of the fight’s duration.
For a variety of reasons, the boxers most known in pop culture aren’t necessarily the richest. Mike Tyson, one of the most dominant forces in the sport during the 1990s, made $400 million in career earnings but filed for bankruptcy in 2003 due to “reckless spending” as part of his extravagant and wild lifestyle. He now has a net worth of $3 million. Muhammad Ali was among the highest-paid athletes in the world during his prime, but his $50 million net worth at the time of his death in 2016 is well below the current net worth of the top boxers, including the following five.
1. Floyd Mayweather Jr. ($560 Million)
Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. stands out as not only one of the wealthiest boxers globally but also one of the most affluent athletes in any sport. He was the highest-paid athlete in the world in 2018, following his August 2017 bout against mixed martial artist (MMA) star Conor McGregor. As the promoter of the fight, which drew over $550 million in revenue, Mayweather Jr. earned $275 million. He retired from professional boxing in 2017 but has since had a series of high-earning exhibition showcases, including bouts against YouTuber brothers Logan and Jake Paul, MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura, and Don Moore, Mayweather’s former sparring partner.
“A lot of time people say, ‘Oh, Floyd have to do exhibitions,’” Mayweather Jr. said in response to his critics. “My philosophy is never stop getting it [money]. Currency over legacy. Currency over legacy. Believe me, if I don’t ever do another exhibition in my life, I can live a great life.”
Mayweather has made more than $1.1 billion in boxing, endorsements, and other deals. As an amateur, he won the bronze medal in the featherweight class in the 1996 Olympics and three US Golden Gloves. He won six championships across multiple weight classes as a professional and retired from professional boxing in 2017 with an undefeated record of 49-0.
2. George Foreman ($300 Million)
With a net worth of $300 million, George Foreman is the second-richest boxer in the world, although he’s much further removed from the sport than Mayweather. Boxing enthusiasts will know Foreman as a dominant heavyweight who burst onto the scene at 24 years old when he knocked out then-undefeated Joe Frazier and had memorable bouts with Ali, Ken Norton, and Evander Holyfield. Foreman is known outside of boxing for the George Foreman Grill.
During his career, Foreman began working as a spokesperson for home appliance manufacturer Russell Hobbs, Inc., making more than $130 million. He lent his name to the company’s now-famous George Foreman Grill. Foreman has built up his net worth through other pursuits, as well, including acting and writing.
3. Oscar De La Hoya ($200 Million)
A Mexican-American boxer who turned professional after winning the gold medal in the lightweight division at the 1992 Olympics, Oscar “The Golden Boy” De La Hoya competed in and won fights in six different weight classes, beating 17 world champions. Regarded for his technical proficiency and strength, De La Hoya is a 10-time world champion and retired with a record of 39-6, winning 30 fights by knockout. He was boxing magazine The Ring‘s pound-for-pound best fighter in 1997 and 1998.
De La Hoya is still involved in boxing as a promoter and has a net worth of $200 million.
4. Manny Pacquiao ($190 Million)
Perhaps best known for the highly anticipated and somewhat underwhelming 2015 “Fight of the Century” against Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao is among the most accomplished boxers in the world, based on his success in multiple divisions. He’s the only boxer to win world titles in seven weight classes and was named the Fighter of the Decade in 2010 by the World Boxing Organization, the World Boxing Council, and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Pacquiao, who turned professional at 16 years old, retired with a career record of 62 wins, eight losses, and two draws.
Pacquiao transitioned to politics after retirement, serving six years as a Senator of the Philippines. He has a net worth of $190 million.
5. Lennox Lewis ($140 Million)
Currently a FOX Sports boxing analyst, Lennox Lewis boasts an impressive resume. He is a three-time world heavyweight champion, a two-time lineal champion, and the final undisputed world heavyweight champion in boxing history. Ali and Holyfield are the only other two heavyweight boxers to hold the distinction of being a three-time heavyweight champion.
London-born, Lewis immigrated to Canada during his teenage years and won a gold medal in the super-heavyweight division at the 1988 Olympics. He retired with a career record of 42-1-1 and has a net worth of $140 million.