Are you ready to find out who’s raking in the big bucks in the world of fighting? From the ring to the octagon, these fighters have proven their worth both inside and outside of the arena. And let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good money story? 

Read on to find out which 9 fighters made the list of the highest-paid fighters ever.

Who is the highest-paid fighter of all time? 

The title for the highest-paid fighter of all time goes to none other than Floyd Mayweather Jr. He is known not only for how well he fights but also for how smart he is in business and how well he can negotiate sponsorship deals.

#1 Floyd Mayweather Jr. – $1 Billion

Floyd Mayweather Jr. used to be a professional boxer. During his career, he made an estimated $1 billion. He is known for his flashy lifestyle and big fights, like the “Fight of the Century” against Manny Pacquiao in 2015, which made a record-breaking $600 million.

Mayweather is known for his unique footwork and defensive skills, which he works on by jumping rope. Mayweather even went viral by doing double unders with great form. 

Youtube video Mayweather’s jump rope skills

Floyd Mayweather Jr. Side Hustles

Mayweather has several business ventures in addition to his income from boxing. He has his own promotion company, Mayweather Promotions, and works with the streaming service Fanmio. He’s also a frequent investor in stocks and real estate.

#2 George Foreman – $300 Million

George Foreman is a former professional boxer and two-time heavyweight champion. He is thought to have made about $300 million over the course of his career, with a big chunk of that coming from his successful line of grills and kitchen appliances.

George Foreman Side Hustles

Foreman has a successful line of grills and kitchen appliances that bear his name, which has earned him millions in royalties. He’s also a successful author and motivational speaker.

#3 Mike Tyson – $300 Million

Mike Tyson is a former professional boxer and former undisputed heavyweight champion. He is thought to have made about $300 million over the course of his career. In 1997, when he fought Evander Holyfield in a famous match, he made $100 million.

Mike Tyson Side Hustles

Tyson has several business ventures outside of fighting, including a partnership with the cannabis company Tyson Ranch and a successful career as a public speaker and actor. He’s also a regular on the reality TV show “Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson.”

#4 Oscar De La Hoya – $200 Million

Oscar De La Hoya is a retired professional boxer and former multiple-weight world champion. He is thought to have made around $200 million over the course of his career, which includes fights against Mayweather and Pacquiao.

Oscar De La Hoya Side Hustles

De La Hoya is the founder and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, one of the most successful boxing promotion companies in the world. He’s also a successful businessman, with investments in real estate and a tequila brand.

#5 Lenox Lewis – $140 Million

Lennox Lewis is a retired professional boxer and former three-time heavyweight champion. He’s made an estimated $140 million over the course of his career, including $30 million from his famous fight against Tyson in 2002.

Lenox Lewis Side Hustles

Lewis is a successful businessman, with investments in real estate and a clothing line. He’s also a regular on the speaking circuit and has made appearances on reality TV shows.

#6 Muhammad Ali – $80 Million 

A person on our list that cannot be excluded is Muhammad Ali, who is known as “The Greatest of All Time.” He is estimated to have made around $80 million in his career. But Ali wasn’t just a boxer; he was a cultural icon and a shrewd businessman.

Muhammed Ali is known for his fight against racism and for standing up for the black Muslim community worldwide. He was a great fighter with speed, strength, and footwork that few fighters in his weight class could match. 

Muhammad Ali’s Side Hustles

Ali may have hung up his gloves, but he never stopped hustling. He had endorsement deals with brands such as Pepsi and Chevrolet and even had his own line of clothing and a fragrance. 

He also had a successful career as a public speaker, earning thousands for appearances. 

But perhaps the thing that made him the most money was his image. Even now, there is still a lot of Ali-related merchandise and documentaries made, which keep the Ali brand alive and make money for his family.

#7 Connor McGregor – $48 Million

Standing tall at 5’9″ and weighing in at 155 pounds, Conor McGregor is one of the most recognizable fighters in the world. Known for his brash personality and trash-talking abilities, 

McGregor has become a household name in the world of MMA. In terms of money, McGregor has made a whopping $48 million from fighting.

Connor McGregor Side Hustles

When he’s not throwing punches in the octagon, McGregor is busy raking in cash from various side hustles. He has a whiskey brand named Proper No. Twelve, a clothing line, and has also dabbled in real estate. 

He also has a partnership with Burger King. All these ventures have helped McGregor earn even more money. Most of McGregor’s money comes from things he does on the side, not from fighting.

#8 Ronda Rousey – $30 Million

Ronda Rousey is an American professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist. She has earned over $30 million throughout her career.

Ronda Rousey Side Hustles

Rousey has several business ventures, including her own clothing line and investments in stocks.

#9 Brock Lesnar – $28 Million

Brock Lesnar is a professional wrestler and MMA fighter who has earned a fortune from his fighting career. He has held the UFC Heavyweight Championship and is a multiple-time WWE champion. 

Lesnar is considered one of the best-paid fighters of all time, with an estimated net worth of $28 million.

Brock Lesnar Side Hustles

Lesnar has made a significant amount of money from his wrestling and MMA careers, but he also has several side hustles. He has a farm in his home state of Minnesota and is a spokesman for the supplement company Dymatize Nutrition. 

He has also been in a number of movies and TV shows, such as an episode of “Celebrity Undercover Boss.” Lesnar also has several sponsorship and endorsement deals.

Who will be the highest-paid fighter in 2023?

You might know him as the “notorious” one, but did you know that Connor McGregor is also the “money” one? The Irish MMA fighter is known for his flashy fighting style and even flashier lifestyle, and it’s no surprise that he’s raked in some serious cash from his fighting career. 

As of 2023, McGregor’s estimated net worth sits at a cool $120 million, and he’s one of the highest-paid fighters in the UFC, making a steady $25.3 million in less than a year and a total of $48,8 million over his whole career.

When he’s not knocking out opponents in the octagon, Connor McGregor is busy building his empire of cash. He’s got a whiskey brand, Proper No. Twelve, that’s flying off the shelves. 

He’s got a clothing line, August McGregor, that’s turning heads. And he’s got a venture capital firm, McGregor Sports and Entertainment, that’s investing in the next big thing. 

It looks like the Notorious One is also the Hustle King! So, in addition to his professional earnings, he earns money from his whiskey brand, clothing line, and venture capital firm.

Which fight made the most money?

This highly anticipated match between boxers Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao was dubbed “The Fight of the Century” and lived up to the hype. The fight made a huge $600 million, with Mayweather reportedly getting $220 million and Pacquiao getting $100 million. 

The event was not only a financial success but also a critical one, with both fighters putting  on a show for the ages. This fight will always be remembered as one of the best in sports history, and it solidified both Mayweather and Pacquiao’s reputations as all-time greats.

The Undercard

But the main event wasn’t the only one making bank that night. The undercard of the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight featured some of the biggest names in the sport, including Amir Khan, Shane Mosley, and Juan Manuel Marquez. 

These fighters also took home a pretty penny, with Khan earning $5 million, Mosley earning $4 million, and Marquez earning $3 million. 

All in all, it was a night to remember for the fighters and fans alike, as the sport of boxing raked in a ton of cash.

Wrapping Up 

We’ve taken a look at some of the highest-earning fighters in the game, and it’s clear that these athletes are making some serious dough. But which fight was the real cash cow? Was it Mayweather’s highly publicized match against McGregor? Or maybe it was Pacquiao’s epic showdown with Mayweather back in 2015?

One thing is certain: These fighters aren’t just making money in the ring. From side hustles like stocks and business ventures to endorsement deals and merchandise sales, these athletes are making bank from all angles.

So, as we bring this article to a close, let’s raise a glass (of protein shake, of course) to these fighters for their impressive earning power and for putting on some truly entertaining matches. Cheers!

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram