According to US business magazine “Forbes”, Tyson Fury is boxing’s cash king. Two other ring heroes are among the top earning sports stars.
Tyson Fury made a lot of money last year: the 36-year-old retired boxer from England earned a total of 146 million dollars in the last twelve months, according to the US business magazine “Forbes”. This puts the “Gypsy King” in third place in the annual money ranking, making him the highest-earning boxer on the planet.
140 million for two defeats
Despite the two defeats against Oleksandr Usyk, 140 million dollars in fight purses flowed into Fury’s account. In addition, the former heavyweight world champion raked in a further six million in the “off-field earnings” category through sponsorship contracts, license fees, etc. last year. “Forbes” points out that the sums mentioned relate to income in the period between May 1, 2024 and May 1, 2025 and do not include deductions such as taxes or agent fees.
As in the last two years, soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo is in first place in the Money Ranking. The 40-year-old Portuguese, who laces up his boots for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, recently generated income of 275 million dollars. US basketball pro Stephen Curry (156 million) follows a long way behind in second place.
Oleksandr Usyk just missed out on the top 10 highest earning sports stars. The Ukrainian boxing hero, who will once again fight for the Undisputed heavyweight crown on July 19, earned 101 million dollars in the last twelve months according to Forbes. In the two mega-fights against Fury, Usyk collected a total of 100 million; outside the ring, the pound-for-pound king took in another “extra” (one million).
Coal ranking: Canelo misses out on top 20
The third boxer in the US magazine’s cash ranking is Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. The Mexican super middleweight, who has held the Undisputed crown again since his victory over William Scull, recently raked in a total of 70 million dollars in fight purses. In addition, Canelo earned a further ten million off the ropes. With total earnings of 80 million, the pound-for-pound star is ranked 22nd on the new list.
Remarkable: Forbes’ all-time ranking still has a boxing star in first place. Floyd Mayweather Jr. was weighed in with earnings of 300 million dollars in 2015 and 285 million three years later. In 2015, “Money” contested his pay-per-view record fight against Manny Pacquiao, and in 2017 he fought a duel in the ring with MMA superstar Conor McGregor.
Text: Frank Schwantes
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