Boxers is an extremely unsteady job because the amount you get paid depends on the number of fights you fight in. Likewise, if you’re more popular, you’ll inevitably make more money per fight. We see that phenomenon applying to any boxer, regardless of his actual skill.
On average, professional boxers make $1,000 per fight. However, this number ranges from $50 to $10,000 per fight, depending on the popularity and the demand of the fight itself. Amateur boxers, on the other hand, on average, make $300 per fight, ranging from $25 to $1,000.
But, as I previously have stated, the amount you make per fight greatly depends on your popularity. If nobody knows your name in the boxing industry, your income will be relatively low.
A great example of that is Floyd Mayweather. Mayweather made $500 million from one fight. The demand for the fight he was in—was huge, to the point where he made the most money from a single fight in the history of boxing.
So, if you want to make more money as a boxer, you must ensure your popularity rises as much as possible. If you do so, the demand for your fights will also grow. If you don’t involve yourself in enough fights early in your career, however, your name won’t get out to the industry.
Before we dive into the article, I highly encourage you to read more about the 15 best boxers in history. If you want to learn from the best, you must first know who they are; so be sure to follow the link.
How much do professional boxers make in their first fight?
Turning pro in boxing—is tougher than what most people think. To do so, you must fight in the amateur scene, which isn’t as competitive as the pros. However, most people never make it to the next stage because it’s simply difficult. You have to work harder and sacrifice more than all other boxers.
Once you reach the professional scene, let’s see how much you’ll make in the first fight.
On average, professional boxers make $4,000 in their first professional fight. However, this number chances from $200 to $10,000, depending on your popularity. Various amateur boxers were more promising than others, especially if they’re 17-19 years of age. Their income will be higher, as they’re more popular.
Eventually, you want the demand for your fight—to be the highest. If you can successfully do so, you’ll ensure your income is higher than the average. And, if you manage to squeeze more fights throughout the year, you’ll also grow more in popularity while making more money.
The income you’ll make, however, is raw. You must spend some money on a coach and additional team member that’ll help you grow more popular and close better deals. Without a solid crew on your side, you’ll likely make less than the average annual income for professional boxers, which is $30,000.
| Boxer | Pay in first fight ($) |
|---|---|
| Mike Tyson | 500 |
| Muhammad Ali | 2,000 |
| Rocky Marciano | 35 |
| Sugar Ray Leonard | 40,044 |
| Joe Louis | 59 |
| George Foreman | 5,000 |
| Josh Taylor | 15,612 |
How much does a rookie boxer make per fight?
Rookie boxers, even if professional, will not make as much money as the average salary. However, the more they participate in fights and get their names out there by dominating the boxing scene, the higher their income will be, inevitably.
Rookie boxers can make up to $1,000 per fight. Typically, however, the number is lower than that. Most amateur boxers make a few hundred dollars per match. If, however, both boxers are more popular than the average; the fight will have more demand, which will increase the pay for the fight itself.
The dark side of the pay issue for boxers it that some professionals can make only $25 per fight. That has happened before. If you’re making $25 for a boxing match, the demand for your fights isn’t high at all, and likely participate in a tournament without entry barrier.
That said, some pro boxers can make up to millions of dollars per fight. The list of matches that paid such amounts—is longer than what most people expect.
On average, Mike Tyson made 7.5 million per fight. That means that he made more than that in many of his fights. Early in his career, he made much less than that. Later, however, each of his fight had extremely high demand. That means that he also made more money!
If you want to know whether retired boxers get paid, and if so, how much, follow the link to an article of mine on the topic.
Who is the lowest paid boxer?
Most boxers, either pro or amateurs, make less than what you may think. Some of them even box full-time. As a result, they’re not capable of bringing in enough money to sustain a lifestyle most people imagine boxers have.
The lowest paid professional boxers make ,000 annually. The top 1% of boxers, however, make more than M annually. For your first professional fight, you might make as low as $100. However, if you have beaten solid boxers and got your name out to the boxing industry, you might make up to $5,000.
$20,000 annually simply isn’t enough to have a team behind you. Professional coaches will want much more than that. So, in the beginning of your career, you must work as hard as possible to ensure you get into more fights. Then, your name will start spreading in the boxing industry.
How much do new pro boxers make?
Novice pro boxers won’t make as much money as the average. That’s simply a fact. To improve your income, you must first get better by working harder than all other boxers. By doing so, you’ll also beat more people, which will make you more popular. That’ll inevitably increase your income per fight.
New pro boxers can earn anywhere from $50 for a fight to $10,000 per fight, depending on their popularity and the demand of the fight. For example, Logan Paul made his fortune when he fought against Floyd Mayweather. The demand was extremely high, and thus the pay was extremely high as well.
The amount new fighters make also depends on how much they fight. If one individual fights 5 times per year and the other has 30, the second will make more money, assuming their pay-per-fight equals.
Do boxers get paid after a fight?
Various boxing deals will include the winning party making more money than the losing one. That forces the boxers and their teams to work extremely hard. If they end up victorious, everyone will also make more money.
Boxers get paid after a fight. In some deals, the winning party will get more money than if he were to lose. For example, in a YouTubers boxing match between Deji and Jake Paul, the deal included Deji getting 50% if he were to win. But, he lost and gained 35%. Hence, the pay has to come after the fight.
Another factor for that is to force the boxers to want to win more. If one fighter ends up on top, his pay is likely to increase for the following fight. The story is the opposite for the losing side. As such, having the pay after the fight—is the wiser choice.
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Final words
Most professional and amateur boxers make less than you think. The top 1%, on the other hand, make much more than you think imaginable. They reach incomes that are in the millions per fight, which is insane.
But, for the most part, boxers don’t make as much money, ranging between $20,000 to $100,000 annually. As a result, if you want to become a boxer, you must aim to be in the top 1% of boxers, as they make the most money.
The boxers with the highest incomes are also the most popular ones. For that reason, to increase your pay, increase your popularity.
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