FEW would begrudge boxers their earnings, but the number of them making huge amounts is still few when compared with other sports. With that in mind we count down the top 5 living boxers by estimated net worth.
5. Lennox Lewis, 41-2-1 (32), Estimated net worth: $140m
THE last undisputed heavyweight champion of the world has invested his career earnings wisely, and maximised his retirement fund with smart stock investments, endorsements and a sizeable property portfolio, boosting his in-ring earnings considerably over recent years. Born in London, Lewis won Olympic gold for Canada in 1988, although returned to his country of birth to launch his assault on the pro ranks. He won the WBC title stripped from Riddick Bowe whilst on holiday in December 1992, defended it three times, including his high-profile fight with Frank Bruno in 1993 that banked him $8m – the first time two Brits had contested a heavyweight world championship. Two fights with Evander Holyfield in 1999 earned the 6ft 5in puncher around $30m, and he netted $17.5m for his 2002 megafight with Mike Tyson, which remains the highest grossing heavyweight PPV in history. Lewis retired after 2003’s controversial clash with Vitali Klitschko, and resisted all mega-money offers over the years to sign for a rematch.
Next page: No. 4
[sources: TheRichest.com / Boxrec]
4. Oscar De La Hoya, 39-6 (30), Estimated net worth: $200m
BY the time of his retirement in 2009, De La Hoya had accrued a $200m dollar fortune from his ring career and promotional company, Golden Boy Promotions, founded in 2002. Thanks in part to winning Olympic gold in ’92, De La Hoya emerged as one of the biggest attractions of the decade under Top Rank, independently breaking out as a box-office fighter with 1997’s win over Pernell Whitaker, for which he netted a cool $10m. Banking $21m for 1999’s Felix Trinidad clash, Oscar continued as a box-office star well into the noughties with high-profile fights against the likes of Shane Mosley (twice), Fernando Vargas and Bernard Hopkins all performing well at the box office. For fighting both Floyd Mayweather in 2007 and Manny Pacquiao in 2008, De La Hoya bagged an estimated $72m, though it hasn’t all been plain sailing. Costly legal battles and a high-profile war with substance abuse have hit the LA-born star where it hurts, yet he retains majority interest in Golden Boy Promotions and its various business interests.
Next page: No. =2
[sources: TheRichest.com / Boxrec]
2=. George Foreman, 76-5 (68), Estimated net worth: $250m
IN a career of two halves that spanned 28 years, the dynamite-fisted wrecking ball will be forever remembered by fans for the millions earned in many famous fights, such as against Joe Frazier (twice), Ron Lyle and the Rumble in the Jungle against the legendary Muhammad Ali in 1974. That’s not to mention $12m netted from his 1991 clash with Evander Holyfield, nor the vast sums gained from becoming the oldest heavyweight champion in history three years later, when he knocked out Michael Moorer at the ripe old age of 45. Yet as much as $200m of Foreman’s extraordinary wealth has come from his endorsement of the line of grilling products that, since 1994, have famously borne his name. Manufacturer, Salton Ltd, paid the former fighter, author, preacher and HBO analyst, $138m in 1999 for the exclusive naming rights.
Next page: No. =2
[sources: TheRichest.com / Boxrec]
2=. Manny Pacquiao, 57-6-2 (38), $250m
DESPITE emerging on the short end of both the purse split and the judges’ cards for his fight with Floyd Mayweather back in May, the Filipino megastar still banked a cool $150m for his losing effort. Over a 20-year pro career, Pacquiao has won full world titles in six divisions, and has come a long way from his humble beginnings in General Santos City. “Pac Man” has pocketed some mega-money purses over the years, including $11m to fight Oscar De La Hoya in 2008, $22m for his clash with Miguel Cotto in 2009 and an estimated $40m for his two fights with Timothy Bradley. Despite this great wealth, both long-time trainer Freddie Roach, and promoter, Bob Arum have expressed concerns at the many millions the fighter has given to various causes over the years, with Roach insisting he doesn’t wish to envisage a situation in which the 37-year-old is forced, due to his generosity, to keep fighting on. Pacquiao is due to return to the ring for one final fight in April 2016, before re-immersing himself in his political obligations in the Philippines, where he intends to run for the Senate in May.
Next page: No. 1
[sources: TheRichest.com / Boxrec]
1. Floyd Mayweather, 49-0 (26), Estimated net worth: $650
OFFICIALLY the highest earning athlete in any sport for the past three years, the self-professed “TBE [The Best Ever]” raked in an astonishing $220m for May’s record-breaking clash with Filipino star, Manny Pacquiao alone. The newly retired five-division world champion credits longtime associate and influential boxing advisor, Al Haymon, with transforming his financial fortunes, after the PBC guru assisted in buying him out of his contract with Top Rank’s Bob Arum in April 2006, for just $750,000. The decision transformed Mayweather from “Pretty Boy” into the “Money” persona fans see today, and cemented his status as the premier box-office attraction in the fight game. Megamoney paydays banked by the Michigan-born star include $25m against Oscar De La Hoya in 2007, almost $60m for 2009’s Juan Manuel Marquez fight and an eye-watering $80m for his back-to-back fights with Marcos Maidana in 2014. For his career swansong against Andre Berto in September, Mayweather took a modest $32m dollars. At time of writing Floyd insists he remains retired and focused on his role within Mayweather Promotions, and will not be lured back to the ring in 2016 under any circumstances.
[sources: TheRichest.com / Boxrec]
