TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - What once seemed like just intense showdowns in the ring has turned into empire-sized fortunes worth hundreds of millions. This is the story behind some of the richest fighters in history.
From active stars like Jake Paul and Canelo Alvarez to legends like Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, these athletes have successfully built impressive financial empires alongside their in-ring achievements.
10 Richest Boxers in History
According to GiveMeSport, here are the 10 richest boxers in history, whose greatness is reflected not only in their fighting skills but also in their remarkable net worths.
1. Floyd Mayweather - Net Worth: $400M
Not only is he widely recognized of the greatest male boxers of the 21st century, Floyd Mayweather is also one of the richest boxers in history. Best known for his signature shoulder roll technique and impeccable footwork, Mayweather is a five-division world champion.
Between 1996 and 2017, he compiled an undefeated record of 50-0 with 27 knockouts. Among them, one of the most notable wins was his $600 million-generating bout against Manny Pacquiao in 2015. Though he's no longer an active fighter, Mayweather’s legacy remains both evident and influential in the boxing world.
2. George Foreman - Net Worth: $300M
Before retiring in 1997, George Foreman won an impressive 76 out of 81 professional fights. More than just a heavyweight champion, George Foreman transformed his boxing fame into a business empire, particularly through the wildly successful George Foreman Grill. As reported by Business Insider, he secured 40 percent of the profits, earning up to $4.5 million per month at the height of the grill’s popularity.
3. Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez - Net Worth: $250M
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is currently one of boxing’s biggest active stars. With a career nearing its 20th year, the Mexican fighter has claimed world titles in multiple divisions, including junior middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight, and light heavyweight.
When it comes to earnings, Canelo is in a league of his own. As BeIN Sports highlights, he’s become accustomed to paychecks ranging from tens to even hundreds of millions per fight, such as a reported $80 million payout for his bout against William Scull.
4. Manny Pacquiao - Net Worth: $220M
Manny Pacquiao is the only boxer in history to win world titles in eight different weight divisions. Known for his buzz saw style, Pacquiao built his wealth through massive pay-per-view bouts, with the most notable being his 2015 match against Floyd Mayweather, which, according to ESPN, generated over $600 million in total revenue. In July 2025, Pacquiao made a surprising return to the ring after a four-year retirement, ending his comeback fight in a draw against Mario Barrios.
5. Oscar De La Hoya - Net Worth: $200M
No longer an active fighter, Oscar De La Hoya is still regarded as one of the richest boxers in history. As Sports Illustrated reports, during his active years, he reportedly earned over $510 million in the ring. Outside the ring, De La Hoya brought the same drive to business. In 2002, he founded Golden Boy Promotions, which has since become one of the most successful boxing promotion companies in the sport today.
6. Oleksandr Usyk - Net Worth: $165M
While still relatively new to the heavyweight division, Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk has already secured his place among the richest boxers in history. Reports suggest he earned as much as $101 million in a single year, with the majority coming from his blockbuster fights. Having claimed victories over top names like Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, Usyk’s future looks even brighter, powered by lucrative bouts, endorsement deals, and a rapidly growing global fan base.
7. Tyson Fury - Net Worth: $146M
Known as “The Gypsy King,” Tyson Fury has established himself as one of the UK’s greatest boxing champions. His nine-figure net worth is a direct reflection of his high-profile battles with opponents such as Wladimir Klitschko and Deontay Wilder, including their blockbuster trilogy. Even in defeat, like his recent loss to Oleksandr Usyk, Fury still commanded massive earnings, reportedly pocketing around $81 million from the bout.
8. Lennox Lewis - Net Worth: $120M
Regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time, Lennox Lewis dominated the heavyweight division during the 1990s and early 2000s. A three-time world heavyweight champion, he retired in 2004 with a record of 41-2-1. Lewis’s wealth largely stems from his lucrative fights, including his legendary clash with Mike Tyson in 2002 and his legacy representing Canada on the global stage.
9. Sugar Ray Leonard - Net Worth: $120M
Sugar Ray Leonard is a five-division world champion whose flashy yet precise style made him a fan favorite. His showdowns with fellow boxing legends like Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns are among the most iconic in the sport's history. Notably, Leonard made history as the first fighter to generate more than $100 million in career purses, cementing his place among the sport’s all-time greats.
10. Jake Paul - Net Worth: $100M
Jake Paul’s net worth, which is remarkably high for someone who only began boxing in 2020, stands as a testament to his rapid rise in the sport. First known as a YouTube star, Paul has reinvented himself as one of the most polarizing yet marketable figures in combat sports. His high-profile matches have generated millions, while his social media empire, promotional company, and various business ventures have further boosted his fortune.
Boxing, beyond its raw intensity in the ring, has proven to be a global stage where legends build legacies that extend far beyond the sport itself.
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