Friday, June 5, 2026

The Highest-Earning Heavyweight Boxers in the World

  • Anthony Joshua is the highest-paid heavyweight, earning $250 million.
  • Oleksandr Usyk and Agit Kabayel are the only undefeated heavyweights among the highest-paid.
Oct 9, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Deontay Wilder (red/black trunks) is knocked out by Tyson Fury (black/gold trunks) during their WBC/Lineal heavyweight championship boxing match at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Boxing has seen brighter days, as networks like HBO and Showtime have discontinued their decades-long boxing coverage. But the promise of a new boxing league could spark new life and revenue into one of the oldest combat sports.

When it comes to the highest-earning boxers, heavyweight boxers have traditionally drawn the biggest paydays.

Anthony Joshua’s $250 million in career earnings makes him the highest-earning heavyweight boxer by a long shot. He’s earned $100 million more than the next closest active heavyweight.

Joshua made his pro debut in 2013 after winning the gold medal in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. He earned his biggest payout of $75 million in a bout against Oleksandr Usyk in 2022. 

Second to Joshua is Tyson Fury with $150 million in career earnings. His career record is 33-1-1. Fury lost his first career match against Oleksandr Usyk in May 2024 but took home $103 million in the process.

Deontay Wilder has earned $100 million in his career to come in third. The 38-year-old has a 98% knockout ratio, best among the top five highest earners.

Wilder became a professional boxer in 2008. He’s secured 42 wins in his career and all 42 of those wins have come by knockout.

Fourth on the list is Oleksandr Usyk with $83 million in career earnings. He became the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 25 years with his win against Tyson Fury in May 2024.

Rounding out the top five highest earners is Andy Ruiz Jr. He’s earned $18 million in his career since turning pro in 2009. Ruiz raked in $7 million as his biggest payout when he pulled off a stunning upset by beating Anthony Joshua in their first bout in 2019.

Only the top five highest-earning heavyweight boxers have made at least $10 million in career earnings. Kubrat Pulev is the only heavyweight on the list who has yet to cross the million mark.

Ranking The Highest-Paid Heavyweight Boxers

Here is the entire list of the highest-earning heavyweight boxers. The list was compiled with data from Forbes, The-Sun, and Marca.

  • Updated: December 10, 2024
RankFighterOverall RecordTotal Compensation
1Anthony Joshua28-4$250 million
2Tyson Fury34-1-1$150 million
3Deontay Wilder43-4-1$100 million
4Oleksandr Usyk22-0$83.8 million
5Andy Ruiz Jr.35-2-1$18 million
6Daniel Dubois22-2$9.5 million
7Luis Ortiz34-3$8 million
8Joseph Parker35-3$5 million
9Joe Joyce16-3$4 million
10Zhilei Zhang27-2-1$3 million
11Filip Hrgovic17-1$2.4 million
T-12Agit Kabayel25-0$2 million
T-12Efe Ajagba20-1$2 million
14Jared Anderson17-1$1.66 million
15Kubrat Pulev32-3$205.4K

Related lists:

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

PWHL - OTT at BOS- April 30, 2026_11

PWHL Players Publish Every Salary in League

Only 10 players earned six figures, while two-thirds earned less than $60K.

Close’s New UCLA Contract Has Discounted WNBA Buyout Clause

Close has been the UCLA women’s basketball head coach since 2011.

Stafford Signs $55 Million Extension With Rams

The 2025 NFL Most Valuable Player receives a sizable pay increase.

Featured Today

Ai sports slop

How Sports Became Ground Zero for AI Slop

The category is the perfect breeding ground for AI content churn.
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Group A - Germany v Luxembourg - Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim, Germany - October 10, 2025 Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann
June 4, 2026

‘Weird Corners of the World’: How to Find a World Cup Coach

National associations look for a winning record—and also hope for serendipity.
June 3, 2026

The Elite High Schools Hosting World Cup Teams

Spain, Morocco, Croatia, and Switzerland chose schools as their tournament base camps.
Frances Cabral-Delaney
May 29, 2026

How Arsenal Fandom Went ‘Manic’

“People do not become Arsenal fans because it’s easy,” says Zohran Mamdani.
Dec 20, 2025; Oxford, MS, USA; Eli Manning former Mississippi Rebels quarterback and NFL star visits the field prior to a game against the Tulane Green Wave at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
June 5, 2026

Not ‘About Raising Prices’: Eli Manning Invests in Youth Sports

Manning discussed the Knicks’ playoff run and the Giants’ new coach.
June 5, 2026

Sanders’s Record NFLPA Income Was Mostly From Trading Cards

The bulk of Sanders’s record NFLPA income came from cards, not jerseys.
Sponsored

Landon Donovan: What Soccer in America Still Needs

Landon Donovan discusses the evolution of soccer in America and investing in the NWSL.
June 3, 2026

The $3 Million Player Who Changed The Spurs Season

The Spurs went 39–11 with Julian Champagnie as a starter.
Jun 2, 2026; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) looks over during practice on media day for the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center.
June 3, 2026

Will There Be a Wemby Effect for NBA Finals in France?

France will have two Finals broadcasters for the first time.
Jun 3, 2026; Paris, France; Maja Chwalinska of Poland tosses the ball to serve during her match against Anna Kalinskaya on day 10 at Stade Roland Garros.
June 3, 2026

French Open’s Cinderella Runs May Not Play in Wimbledon

Wimbledon finalizes its entries in mid-May, before the French Open ends.
Jun 2, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (79) prepares for the fdfirst period against the Carolina Hurricanes in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center
June 3, 2026

Hockey Canada Trial Looms Over Hart in Stanley Cup Playoffs

Carolina fans broke out into a “no means no” chant.