Boxing have always had big money involved, but every now and then a fight comes along that feels like it’s on a completely different level. It’s not just about who wins or loses, it’s about the scale of attention and how much people are willing to pay to watch it.
Some events just end up rewriting what we think is possible financially. Here are a few of the biggest paydays the sport has ever seen, based on widely reported figures.
Biggest paydays in boxing
Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor (2017)
This one never really felt like a normal fight. It was more of a global event, and the numbers reflect that. Floyd Mayweather Jr. reportedly walked away with around $275 million, while Conor McGregor earned somewhere in the region of $85 million. What made it different was the crossover appeal. Even people who didn’t usually follow boxing or MMA were talking about it, and that kind of attention tends to turn into serious money.
Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao (2015)
This was the fight people had been asking for years, maybe even a bit too long. By the time it finally happened, the hype had built up to a point where it almost couldn’t fail financially. Floyd Mayweather Jr. is estimated to have made about $250 million, while Manny Pacquiao earned close to $150 million. The fight itself didn’t live up to everyone’s expectations, but from a business point of view, it set a new benchmark.
Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao
Fight Highlights 🎥The most successful pay-per-view in boxing history 💰
PPV Buys: 4.4M
Gate Revenue: $72M
PPV Revenue: $400M+ pic.twitter.com/0SlYhi010Q— BoxingEnthusiast (@BoxingEnth) March 27, 2026
Read More
Floyd Mayweather vs Canelo Álvarez (2013)
Back in 2013, this fight showed just how big a name Mayweather had become. He was already known for generating huge revenue, but this was another level. Floyd Mayweather Jr. reportedly made over $80 million, while Canelo Álvarez earned around $12 million. At the time, Canelo was still building his reputation, so the gap in earnings wasn’t surprising, but the overall numbers were still massive.
Canelo Álvarez vs Terence Crawford (2025)
This was one of the biggest fights in recent boxing, and it lived up to the hype in terms of scale. Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford finally met in 2025, with Crawford moving up in weight to take the challenge. Reports suggest the fight generated massive revenue, with Canelo earning well over $100 million and Crawford also securing one of the biggest paydays of his career.
The event drew huge global attention and became one of the most watched boxing matches in recent years. In the ring, Crawford delivered a disciplined performance and won by unanimous decision, adding another historic achievement to his career.
When you look at the biggest paydays in combat sports, it usually comes down to how much attention a fight can generate. The more people are invested, the bigger the numbers get. It doesn’t always mean the best fight technically, but it does show how powerful hype and timing can be. And if things keep going the way they are, these numbers might not stay at the top for long.
Also Read: Nate Diaz Ignored UFC Return For A Massive Payday Under Jake Paul
