When first getting into the sport of boxing, one may wonder how much boxers make. As you can imagine, there isn’t a fixed price—but, there are averages. These averages are according to all the boxers worldwide. Let’s see how much amateurs and professional boxers make:
On average, professional boxers make $51,370, and amateur boxers make $35,584 annually. As such, some make less than these numbers and some much more. If you’re a fan of boxing, you can see the level of wealth that the top 1% of boxers have. They, indeed, are worth million of dollars.
For every affluent boxer, there are 100 who have yet to make it. As a result, their pay is less than the average, as they don’t win as much as their peers.
In the art of boxing, you must get your name out there. Thus, fighting as much as possible in the beginning, especially as an amateur, is critical for your future success. Nevertheless, you won’t see the elite boxers fight as often. Some of them even fight just twice a year.
So, as you can imagine, when you first begin your boxing career, you may want to hold another line of work. That’s because such pay is typically not sufficient for a family or for more than one person. As a result, having a safety net—will help you be safer – financially speaking.
Before we dive in, if you want to know who the best boxers in the history are, ensure to follow the link to an article of mine breaking down the list.
How much do professional boxers make?
Professional boxing—includes the best of the best. If you got your hands on a license from your local boxing organization, you most likely are a solid boxer. As a result, you’re worth more money than amateurs.
On average, professional boxers make $51,370 annually. That said, the salary greatly ranges, depending on numerous factors, such as your win-loss ratio and your boxing skills. On the low end, you can expect to make $19,220. On the high end, however, you can expect to make in the millions.
To increase your salary as a boxer, you must learn to accept that you’re a life-long student, whether you want it or not. You’ll never be a perfect boxer. As such, you must continue working hard, even when you don’t really feel like it.
How much you get paid depends on your boxing capabilities. As a result, if you constantly lose, both as an amateur or a professional, your salary will remain low. That said, if you get your name out there as a fighter who knows his craft, your wage will increase.
As Floyd Mayweather Jr., the boxer who got paid the most for a single fight, put it: “Some pay to see me win, some pay to see me lose; eventually, they all pay.”
Of course, we can’t forget the sponsorships, which are, for some boxers, the primary income. Whether you’re represented by Nike or Adidas, you’ll be making a bucket if you wear their gear in a fight.
If you want to learn more about what you need to do to become a boxer step-by-step, follow the link to a complete guide I wrote on the topic.
How much do amateur boxers make?
Before even thinking about turning pro, you must first get your amateur boxing license. That’s not as hard as it may sound, as you’ll only need to prove your current boxing skills. Likewise, you’ll be going through various physical exams, to ensure you’re suitable for becoming an athlete. Let’s see how much you’ll make in that stage.
The median wage for amateur boxers is $35,584. That said, the number may range, depending on your skill level and how much fights you had. On the low end, you can expect to attract $19,225. But, if you have been working extremely hard and had plenty of fights, you can expect your wage to be higher than the median.
Again, it all depends on how much effort you put into mastering the craft. Some boxers aren’t willing to constantly and willingly push themselves to their limit. As a result, they simply don’t improve as much.
Other boxers, however, are constantly pushing themselves outside their comfort zones. Thus, they see a much more exponential improvement in their skills. Eventually, their wage will be higher than those who aren’t willing to invest more time and effort into the art of punching.
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Boxing vs. UFC salary
When comparing two different fighting platforms, we must examine the whole picture. While it may look like UFC fighters make more money than professional boxers, the opposite is true. So, don’t get confused after the next paragraph.
While UFC fighters make ,000 per fight and a bonus of ,000 for a win, professional boxers make, on average, $51,370. However, pro boxers can make much more than that—if they compete in elite boxing matches, such as an undercard in a larger fight. The highest paid fight in history, was boxing, after all.
UFC fighters’ pay also greatly ranges, depending on the popularity of the fighters. If two elite UFC fighters were to fight, the pay would be in the millions for the single fight. However, it’s usually a rare occasion, as most fights aren’t between elite fighters.
If we had to come with a clear answer as to which is better, boxing or UFC, pay wise, it would be boxing. That’s because the audience for such fights—is much bigger. More people understand the art of boxing than the other.
It’s only common sense, then, that the highest paid fight will be to boxing. Well, that is, indeed, the case. Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor Mcgregor inside a boxing ring—attracted more than $560 million dollars.
While this number is unrealistic for the rest, it’s a perspective-kicker. You can make millions of dollars, annually, if your popularity and skill are at the top level.
If you want to know how often professional boxers fight, ensure to follow the link to an article of mine on the topic.
Highest paid boxers
The highest paid boxers are a fantastic model to aspire to. These individuals—are also the most skilled boxers—in the world. As a result, they get their skill’s worth in shapes of money.
From that, we can understand that the more skilled you are, the more money you’ll be getting. Of course, it mostly works like that, so be sure to better yourself as a boxer.
| Boxer | Most money from a single fight |
|---|---|
| Floyd Mayweather Jr. | $300 Million |
| Mike Tyson | $30 Million |
| Tyson Fury | $26 Million |
| Anthony Joshua | $75 Million |
| Deontay Wilder | $25 Million |
Here are some of the most successful boxers in the history of boxing and the most money they made from a single fight.
While you can’t expect to make such amounts if you’re not an elite boxer, you can definitely have it guide your journey to becoming the best boxer. You will need to work harder than you currently do. You will need to sacrifice instant-gratification to ensure your future-self is making such amounts.
These guys are the top of the top. You can’t expect to join them if you’re unwilling to do what the rest do. As such, if you’re unwilling to sacrifice all the comfort in your life for the sake of becoming the best boxer you can possibly be, you will never join them.
Final words
Becoming a boxer—is worth it. If we set aside the money you’ll attract by turning pro, we’ll be free to discuss the true fulfillment you’ll have from competing in the art of punching. I have not seen many folks not being satisfied with their job being boxing.
While your pay may not be as high when first starting, it’ll be increasing and improving the more you fight and put your name out there.
If you truly want to see yourself in the top 1% of boxers, you must be willing to invest more than 99% of boxers. Now I got your attention; I know it sounds tough, but hear me out.
Most boxers aren’t willing to invest as much as effort as you think. They don’t want to invest more than they already do; so their progression rate remain steady. You, however, can explode your progression rate—by constantly pushing your body to the limits.
If you enjoyed reading this article, and you want to progress faster, follow the link to learn about the tips and tricks to explode your boxing progression rate.