Lennox Lewis, Manny Pacquiao, Sugar Ray Leonard

The 10 Richest Boxers in History

September 4, 2025 Aksel Kryhlmand

The money in modern prizefighting has exploded, with Saudi Arabia’s mega-events and crossover spectacles pushing purses into rare air. Using the figures cited in the source (net worths from Celebrity Net Worth and related reporting), here’s a clean rundown of the top 10 richest boxers of all time, what built their fortunes, and why some legends miss the cut.

10. Jake Paul — $100 million

A polarising star turned reliable draw, Paul parlayed YouTube fame into box-office power. Wins over Nate Diaz, Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva, plus the Tyson event, pumped revenues. Losses have not slowed his earning machine. Outside the ring, businesses, including a betting company and a care brand, helped him reach a nine-figure net worth.

9. Sugar Ray Leonard — $120 million

A Hall of Famer with six world titles, Leonard went 36-3-1 with 25 KOs and added Olympic gold. He won belts in five divisions and was a pillar of the “Four Kings” era. Two decades at the top created a brand that kept paying well after his final bell.

8. Lennox Lewis — $120 million

Lenox_Lewis — -nikkon-, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

One of Britain’s greatest heavyweights, Lewis held three world titles and owned the 1990s into the 2000s. London-born, Canadian Olympian, he won super-heavyweight gold in Seoul 1988. A seamless switch from elite amateur to elite pro secured his nine-figure wealth.

7. Tyson Fury — $146 million

The Gypsy King lost twice to Oleksandr Usyk, but the paydays were enormous, with his latest purse reported just shy of $81 million. Fights with Deontay Wilder, Francis Ngannou, Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora, plus a four-year heavyweight reign, underpin his fortune. Even in “retirement,” a Joshua bout would supercharge it further.

6. Oleksandr Usyk — $165 million

Saudi Arabia’s boom is clear in Usyk’s second Fury win, believed to be close to $100 million alone. Add the first Fury fight and two Anthony Joshua blockbusters, and the totals make sense. Remarkably, he has only seven heavyweight bouts as a pro, yet stands among boxing’s wealthiest.

5. Oscar De La Hoya — $200 million

The Golden Boy went 39-6 across 16 years, chasing the hardest fights, from Mayweather to Pacquiao. Eleven championship reigns in six divisions built a huge profile. After boxing, Golden Boy Promotions and wider ventures kept the cash flowing, including Promoter of the Year honours.

4. Manny Pacquiao — $220 million

“PacMan” fought across four decades, going 62-8 and becoming the first eight-division world champion. A global pay-per-view magnet, he ranked as Forbes’ No. 2 highest-earning athlete in 2012 and 2015. He now pursues politics in the Philippines, with earnings to match his legacy.

3. Saul “Canelo” Álvarez — $250 million

Canelo has 62 wins in 66 bouts, plus undisputed status at super middleweight since 2021. He holds the WBC and WBO titles and has lifted belts in four divisions. A planned showdown with Terence Crawford and any mega-event that follows could add another layer to his wealth.

2. George Foreman — $300 million

“Big George” died in March 2025 with an estimated $300 million net worth. A 76-win career, Olympic gold, and the oldest heavyweight title reign at 45 built the legend. The George Foreman Grill turned him into a mainstream business success, multiplying ring earnings many times over.

1. Floyd Mayweather Jr. — $400 million

“Money” retired 50-0 yet sits atop the rich list. Wins over Pacquiao, Canelo, Conor McGregor, Ricky Hatton and Victor Ortiz headline a career across five weight classes and 15 major world titles. BWAA’s Fighter of the Decade for the 2010s and ESPN’s pound-for-pound standard, his brand and ventures keep the cash flowing.