There’s a silver lining to fighting the best boxer on the planet—you get paid—and Naoya Inoue’s upcoming opponent Ye Joon Kim knows that all too well. You see, ‘The Monster’ was initially supposed to square off against Sam Goodman to defend his litany of titles. However, the 26-year-old man from down under had to be pulled from the card twice.

Reportedly, he suffered serious lacerations in sparring, which re-opened after the initial date was pushed back to January 24th. Regardless, one man’s loss is another’s gain, right? In this case, 32-year-old Ye Joon is the man reaping the benefit, as he stepped in at the last minute for the January 24th fight. But the question is, how much are they making?

What is Naoya Inoue’s fight purse against Ye Joon Kim?

Naoya Inoue is set to earn a substantial fight purse for his upcoming bout against Ye Joon Kim. According to reports from Total Sportal, Inoue is guaranteed 70% of the total purse, amounting to $1.5 million. However, this figure has the potential to skyrocket depending on the fight’s pay-per-view performance. If PPV sales reach 750,000, Inoue could walk away with an impressive $7 million.

This payout reflects Inoue’s standing as one of boxing’s most dominant and marketable fighters. With an unbeaten record and numerous accolades, he has consistently commanded significant earnings. In previous fights, Inoue earned $5 million from an $8 million purse for his victory over Stephen Fulton in July 2023. His 2021 bout against Aran Dipaen brought him a guaranteed $500,000, plus a $200,000 win bonus and sponsorship payments.

Beyond fight purses, Inoue’s net worth is bolstered by lucrative sponsorships with brands like Six Pad and Winning Japan, along with appearances in Japanese television commercials. His estimated net worth of $7 million highlights his success both inside and outside the ring, with his upcoming fight against Ye Joon Kim poised to add significantly to his earnings.

Ye Joon Kim’s earnings in his next fight

Ye Joon Kim is set to earn a career-high payday in his upcoming bout against Naoya Inoue. Guaranteed 30% of the total purse, Kim will pocket $500,000, but his earnings could soar to $1.2 million if pay-per-view sales hit 750,000, according to Total Sportal.

This opportunity came unexpectedly for the 21-2-2 South Korean boxer, who was originally training for another fight when he was called to replace Australia’s Sam Goodman. Facing Inoue, the undisputed junior featherweight champion with a flawless 28-0 record, Kim is a 22/1 underdog but remains undeterred.

Kim views this fight as a chance to solidify his legacy and inspire others, particularly in his native South Korea, where boxing has waned in popularity. With his hard work, discipline, and resilience, the orphan-turned-contender is determined to make the most of this life-changing moment, regardless of the odds stacked against him.

That said, Ye Joon Kim might be an underdog going into the fight, but he has the opportunity to cause an upset that will define the rest of his career. It’s true that he might not win, but he clearly is walking away with a life-changing amount of money. What do you think about the purse?