Boxing is the most lucrative sport in the world. Each year it produces some of the most exciting contests that leave a mark on the sports calendar. So it should not come as a surprise when boxers make it to the highest-paid athlete list. Commanding million-dollar salaries and brand endorsements, boxers earn the biggest paydays each year.
The year 2022 has witnessed a lot of shuffling. Some new fighters came up and claimed titles. The reigning champions have to swallow sore pills of disappointment. After all, it is the performance in the ring that attracts big money checks.
Apart from mainstream official contests, influential boxers made a dramatic change in the sport. They stunned the boxing world by surpassing several champions on the business scale. Their presence in the ring pulled out a big nonboxing crowd into the sport. As a result, they made a hefty sum despite criticism.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Let’s conclude who has the best year.
Canelo Alvarez, the man who made enough to flex
Total earnings: $ 89 million
The pound-for-pound dynamo, widely regarded as the face of boxing remained the highest-paid boxer this year. He surpassed every fighter from all across combat sports and made it to the top-ten list of highest-paid athletes of the year 2022.
According to Forbes, he was the biggest on-field earner around the globe. Surpassing the NBA legend Lebron James, who claimed the first spot, the Mexican icon made $ 84 million. The big paydays through two major fights of the year against Dmitry Bivol and Gennady Golovkin, the champ leveled up his yearly income.
Read more- Highest Paid Boxers of 2021
However, he did not make much through endorsements but it was enough, to sum up, his total earnings as around $89 million.
Tyson Fury, the biggest heavyweight star
Total earnings: $69 million
It is no surprise that ‘The Gypsy King’ claimed the second spot. He is no less than a movie star or musician when it comes to entertainment. He sets the pre-fight press conferences ablaze with his trash talks. His fight against Dillian Whyte pulled out more than 90,000 spectators to the Wimbley Stadium.
On Forbes 2022 list, Fury claimed the 14th spot. The WBC heavyweight champion is undefeated and has several big fights in the pipeline. This year he made $63 million in the ring. His outside ring earnings are estimated at around $ 6 million.
Jake Paul, the most surprising name on the list
Total earnings: $37 million
The YouTuber-turned-boxer went against every odd and earned his spot in the ring. He is now in limelight despite winning no world championship title. The man proved that it’s not only the skill that sells, controversy also creates a lot of buzz.
In the ring, the Ohio native made around $30 million. Outside-ring earnings are estimated at around $7 million. This year, he defeated the greatest UFC fighter of all time, Anderson Silva. He hopes to win a world title in the near future.
Apart from Canelo Alvarez, Fury, and Paul, there are other fighters who made an impressive sum
Anthony Joshua, the former unified heavyweight champion would like to delete this year from his career. In a rematch against Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua failed to leave an impression. However, his stars are not dimmed yet.
Despite having a terrble year, the British boxer raked up around $120 million.
The other name that popped up in the list for his earnings is the new heavyweight star Oleksandr Usyk. The Olympic gold medalist is in his prime. He also had only one fight, which he decisively won against Joshua.
He made around $75.5 million.
Next comes, the undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney. The youngest champ in the division, who is often underrated is highly praised by seasoned boxing critics. He defeated George Kambosos in Australia in a rematch and claimed himself as the best in the division.
According to the reports, his guaranteed purse for the fight was around $10 million. He also made $10 million through PPV share. The hefty payday made him one of the highest-paid boxers of the year.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
WATCH THIS STORY – Boxing News Roundup (December 4, 2022). Fury Dominates Chisora in a Trilogy, Tristan Tate Invites Paul in Exchange for a Bugatti and More
What do you think of this list? Were you expecting some other names? Let us know in the comments below.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad