Fans consider boxing to be one of the richest combat sports with boxers in the upper echelons earning millions for their sporadic appearances. These include the likes of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and unified world champion, Anthony Joshua.
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The duo, along with two other pugilists featured in Forbes’ ‘The Celebrity 100’ list of highest-paid celebrities over the last 12 months.
Tyson Fury
‘The Gypsy King’ came in at thirty-fourth, ahead of major players from other sports such as Lewis Hamilton and Rafael Nadal. Fury made two boxing appearances and one WWE appearance last year. He beat Otto Wallin and Deontay Wilder in the boxing ring and earned a count-out win against Braun Strowman at Crown Jewel.
Fury made $26 million from his fight in February and collected $15 million from his showing at Crown Jewel. The WBC champion also delved into the autobiography world with ‘Behind the Mask,’ which contributed to his earnings significantly. The book sold 200,000 copies and counting.
Read: Tyson Fury Beats Conor McGregor Amongst the Highest-Paid Fighters in the World
With an upcoming fight against Deontay Wilder and potential bouts with Joshua and Drew McIntyre looming around the corner, Fury could be set for a windfall in the coming months.
Anthony Joshua
Anthony Joshua has not fought in 2020 and a large part of his earnings stem from his rematch against Andy Ruiz Jr. Forbes claims that the 57 ranked ‘AJ’ raked in $35 million besides reclaiming his world titles in Saudi Arabia. He earned $47 million over the year and featured ahead of the likes of Tom Brady and Drew Brees.
Joshua is gearing up to fight Kubrat Pulev and could take a massive revenue hit for the year because of no live gates. However, if he wins, he could see a huge surge in his 2021 placement on the list. This is because he takes on the highest-earning boxer in a pair of super-fights.
Deontay Wilder
Deontay Wilder earned $46.5 million over the last 12 months to finish at 59 on the list. He earned 53.7% of this sum ($25 million) from his rematch against Tyson Fury. The fact could provide fans with an understanding of why ‘The Bronze Bomber’ promptly invoked the contractual clause for a third fight despite being schooled.
Apart from Fury, the Tuscaloosa native fought Luis Ortiz to hold on to his belt last November. Here he received a $3 million fight purse, but earned over $20 million for his tenth successive title defense.
Canelo Alvarez
Alvarez claimed a world championship in a fourth division last November. Per his deal with DAZN, the boxer can expect around $35 million from each fight. The Mexican pugilist fought only once in the last 12 months and made $37 million to finish at 91 on the list.
He claimed his thirty-sixth career knockout by beating Sergey Kovalev in the third round. Alvarez’s next fight isn’t confirmed as yet, but the WBC ordered him to fight Avni Yildirim. Whenever he steps back into the squared circle, it is a safe assumption that he will make enough to earn a place on the highest-paid athletes list yet again.
