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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 03: Former boxer Mike Tyson performs during his one-man show “Mike Tyson UNDISPUTED TRUTH – Live on Stage” at Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on March 3, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images)

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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 03: Former boxer Mike Tyson performs during his one-man show “Mike Tyson UNDISPUTED TRUTH – Live on Stage” at Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on March 3, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images)
Boxing is one of the most lucrative sports in the world. With huge arenas being sold out and bringing in millions of dollars in pay-per-view sales, boxing main events rake in an incredible amount of money. Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson is no stranger when it comes to attracting viewers.

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LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 13: Former champion Mike Tyson poses on the red carpet during the Box Fan Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center on September 13, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)
In his podcast Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson, the two-time heavyweight champion shared his thoughts on the difference in pay grade between UFC fighters and boxers.
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Why did Mike Tyson call UFC fighters stupid?
Mike Tyson is not one to sugarcoat his words. He is just as direct as his fighting style. Due to this, the boxing legend explained why some UFC fighters would want to enter the world of boxing. Tyson stated that there is a huge wage difference between boxing and the UFC.
He said, “say you are champion for five years and I’m champion for one year and I’m tripling your money. I’m defending my title for millions of dollars you’re just defending your title for hundreds of thousands maybe a hundred thousand dollars.”
Furthermore, Tyson went on to claim that the UFC fighters who don’t want to box are making a mistake. He said, “The money is just different and if they don’t get involved they are stupid.”
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Additionally, The Baddest Man on Planet suggested that he would love to see boxers go into the octagon to face UFC fighters. He stated, “I want to see fighters going to UFC.”
Why are Francis Ngannou and Kamaru Usman getting involved in boxing?
Francis Ngannou has been linked to a potential boxing match against the WBC and lineal heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury. However, one of the key reasons for the UFC heavyweight champion to take this fight is the enormous difference in pay between the two fighters. Fury earned a whopping $33.6 million for his win against Dillian Whyte, whereas Ngannou earned only $600,000 against Ciryl Gane.
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Similarly, UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has been going back and forth against four-division champion Canelo Alvarez. Usman grossed around $500,000 for his fight against Colby Covington while Alvarez earned a guaranteed $40 million for his fight against Caleb Plant.
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What do you think about Mike Tyson’s comments about the huge pay difference between UFC and boxing? Let us know in the comments below.
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