• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 5, 2025

The Highest-Paid Professional Boxers in the World

  • Jake Paul has earned over $100 million since turning pro in 2020.
  • Oleksander Usyk was the highest-earning active boxer as of early 2025.
Canelo Alvarez
Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY Sports

Boxing has been a sport that captivates worldwide attention during its biggest fights. Boxers also get a chance to cash in from the huge spotlight cast on them in the ring. Oleksandr Usyk tops the list of highest-paid active pro boxers in 2025. 

The Ukrainian-born heavyweight has held the unified heavyweight championship belt since 2021 and defeated Tyson Fury in back-to-back matches in 2024 to help send Fury into retirement in early 2025.

Though Fury made more in 2024 due in large part to those fights, Usyk earned $120 million over the past year to put him top among active boxers after Fury’s retirement.

Usyk is a perfect 23-0 in his professional boxing career with 14 victories by knockout.

Second on the list is super middleweight Canelo Alvarez. Canelo has amassed over $200 million in his career, including $65 million last year.

He’s arguably the biggest star in boxing today and draws huge crowds when he comes to town.

Third is British superstar Anthony Joshua, who earned $50 million last year. Joshua’s 2024 campaign was cut short due to an elbow surgery, and he’s currently plotting his return to the ring at some point in 2025.

Fourth is YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. Paul earned at least $40 million in his late 2024 bout against Mike Tyson, despite streaming issues

Although he’s earned tons of money through his other businesses and social media, Paul has quickly become one of boxing’s biggest earners. 

Rounding out the top five Naoya Inoue, who’s held championships across multiple weight classes in his career. He most recently defeated Ramon Cardenas by TKO in May 2025 to retain his bantamweight world championship belts.

Ranking The Highest-Earning Professional Boxers

Here is the entire list of the highest-earning active boxers of 2025. The list is compiled with data from Sportico.

  • Updated: May 30, 2025
RankFighterWeight ClassCareer Record2024 Compensation
1Oleksander UsykHeavyweight23-0$122 million
2Canelo AlvarezSuper Middleweight63-2-2$73 million
3Anthony JoshuaHeavyweight28-4$60 million
4Jake PaulCruiserweight11-1$48 million
5Naoya InoueBantamweight30-0$42 million

Related highest-paid lists:

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

As NBA Free Agency Quiets, Focus Shifts to Potential Extensions

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signed a four-year, $285 million extension.
Shai

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Becomes NBA’s First $70 Million Player

The superstar could’ve waited for an even bigger deal next year.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena

Panthers Lock Up Stanley Cup–Winning Core With Long-Term Deals

Hours before free agency, Florida cemented terms with their essential players.

Nuggets, Rockets Make Aggressive Moves to Challenge Thunder

Denver took the Thunder to seven games in the conference semifinals.

Featured Today

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
June 29, 2025

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
exclusive

WNBA Players Reject League’s First CBA Offer

Players felt the initial proposal wasn’t “entirely responsive” to their request.
Nov 29, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley (5) celebrates a shot in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
July 1, 2025

Malik Beasley’s Messy Offseason Includes $2.25M Suit From Ex-Agency

The former Pistons player is not having a good summer.
Nike banners featuring Caitlin Clark are installed along the eastern side of Des Moines' Court Avenue Restaurant and Brewing Company on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025.
July 2, 2025

Caitlin Clark’s Signature Shoe Could Be $100 Million Business: Sneaker Expert

Clark’s shoe could rival top NBA signature lines.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
July 1, 2025

Gauff, Pegula Out at Wimbledon in Nightmare Start for American Women, ESPN

Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula were ranked Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, entering Wimbledon.
Dewanna Bonner
exclusive
July 1, 2025

WNBA Cutdown Deadline Could Spur Deals for DeWanna Bonner, Emma Meesseman

The two big-name free agents could find their WNBA homes in July.
June 30, 2025

What Would a LeBron James L.A. Exit Look Like?

ESPN’s Bobby Marks said “there isn’t” a trade market for James.
Nov 23, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium.
June 30, 2025

Rape Suit Against QB Retzlaff Dismissed, but He’s Still Leaving BYU

Retzlaff admitted to “consensual” sex, violating BYU’s strict honor code.