Five Highest-paid Boxers In 2024

Heavyweight has always been boxing’s glamour division and it enjoyed a banner year in 2024 as the two best big men of their generation duked it out in two colossal classes, while we also saw a massive crossover fight and a money-spinning freak show.

These were the top five boxers in the world in 2024 on the money-making front:

5: Mike Tyson

Not even Nostradamus could’ve predicted that the former world heavyweight champion would find himself on this list at the age of 58.

Every boxer puts their body and health on the line but Tyson took things to the extreme as he returned to the ring to take on 27-year-old Jake Paul in his first professional fight in 19 years at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas in November. The risk was well and truly worth the reward for “Iron”, who lasted the full eight rounds in a losing effort that while sad to watch, did little to hurt his legacy.

The official numbers aren’t out, but the bizarre bout reportedly had an $80 million purse, with the former baddest man on the planet taking home at least $20 million. Add commercial contracts, gate revenue and other bonuses, and Tyson’s total earnings are said to be $40 million, putting him ahead of Alvarez, who made $35 million for the year.  

4: Jake Paul

Usually a cruiserweight (200 pounds), YouTuber-turned-prizefighter Paul happily packed on a view more pounds for his showdown with heavyweight great Tyson.

The fight, the first to be broadcast live on Netflix, was an absolute sham, but then, that wasn’t surprising given the 31-year age gap between the fighters and Tyson’s health concerns.

For casual fans, it was 2024’s greatest con job, not that Paul and Tyson cared as they raked in the money. “The Problem Child” collected a purse of $40 million and might’ve made more with add-ons.

3: Anthony Joshua

Worlds collided when former two-time unified heavyweight champion Joshua faced former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in March.

Ngannou, in his first professional boxing bout, had given WBC king Tyson Fury all he could handle in a 10-round non-title match, including dropping him in the third round, before going on to lose by controversial split decision in October 2023.

Joshua didn’t make the same mistake of overlooking the mixed martial arts superstar, outclassing and brutally knocking him out in the second round. “AJ” reportedly took home $50 million for the demolition job, and made a few more million in his shock knockout loss to IBF champion Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in London in September.

2: Tyson Fury

In a historic clash of the titans, Fury and Oleksandr Usyk collided to crown the first undisputed world heavyweight champion since 1999 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh in May.

The two greatest heavyweights of their generation, each undefeated, put on an all-time classic that somehow eclipsed the enormous hype and lofty expectations.

WBC titleholder and lineal heavyweight king Fury looked to seize the WBA, WBO and IBF titles away from Usyk to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since his British compatriot Lennox Lewis over two decades ago. However, it was the Ukrainian who eked out a split-decision victory. 

As the bigger name, Fury was the A-side and thus enjoyed a 70-30 cut of the reported $150 million purse, amounting to $105 million. “The Gypsy King” entered the rematch at the same venue in December as the B side but still earned a pretty penny.

1: Oleksandr Usyk

In a sport that’s increasingly become about WWE-like characters and trash talk, it was pleasing to see the respectful and reserved Usyk plant his flag at the summit of the sweet science in 2024.

Performance-wise and financially, 2024 was the year of “The Cat”, who cemented himself as one of the greatest of all time as he became the first undisputed heavyweight champion in the modern four-belt era.

After having to be satisfied with a $40 million payday in the first fight against Fury, the triumphant Usyk held all the power at the negotiations table for the rematch and worked out a 60-40 split of the increased $190 million purse for himself, landing him an unrivalled pay check of close to $114 million.

He performed like a million bucks as well, out-boxing a game Fury in the seismic sequel for a unanimous decision win.

Source: Essentially Sports.