Three boxers will be named Forbes' highest-paid athletes in 2024

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Canelo Alvarez is the highest-paid fighter in boxing, earning $85 million in 2024.
Tyson Fury is also ranked, despite only having one fight last year.
Controversial social media superstar Jake Paul won't appear, but could appear in 2025.

Forbes has released its annual list of the highest-paid sports stars on the planet, and only three boxers are in the top 50. For the first time in history, 10 athletes have surpassed the $100m (£80m) mark in gross earnings. , But there is no competition within the squared circle.

Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority Director General Turki Alalcik's significant investment in the sport of boxing has attracted a lot of attention. However, these riches are not reflected in the Forbes list, which breaks down athletes' incomes received in the 12 months ending May 1, 2024.

Boxers named to Forbes' list of billionaire athletes in 2024

Canelo Alvarez was the highest ranked fighter on the list

With a total in-ring income of $75 million (£60 million), Saul “Canelo” Alvarez ranks as boxing's highest-paid fighter for the year, according to Forbes magazine. The 33-year-old Mexican hero fought twice during the evaluation period, recording points wins over John Ryder and Jermell Charlo.

The four-division world champion also raked in $10 million from sponsorships and endorsements, meaning he earned a total of $85 million (£68 million) for the year. Although this is a huge amount of money, Canelo only finished 14th on the overall list. This is less than $175 million compared to the $260 million earned by top player Cristiano Ronaldo.

Anthony Joshua trails Alvarez in just second place on the list due to his busy schedule during the evaluation period. The former two-time world heavyweight champion fought three times during the year, winning three straight against Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou, firmly returning to title contention.

The Londoner earned a total of $75 million (£60 million) from these matches, adding to his bank balance with $8 million in extra-ring earnings. 'AJ' continues to make millions every time he steps into the ring, but the biggest payday of his career is certain to come when he faces fellow Briton Tyson Fury.

Anthony Joshua answers questions from the media

Anthony Joshua Net Worth (2024) (Includes Career Boxing Earnings)

Joshua's net worth continues to increase in 2024…

Fury joins Forbes rich list ahead of clash with Oleksandr Usyk

The 'Gypsy King' only fights once a year, but the $42 million (about £33.6 million) prize money he received for his split decision victory over former UFC champion Francis Ngannou has put him in the Forbes Top 50. He was the third and last boxer to enter. Fury would also have collected $8 million in sponsorship revenue. That means he increased his personal fortune by $50 million after just one fight.

The Morecambe man will enjoy the biggest payday of his career this weekend when he takes on Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The lineal heavyweight champion is reportedly guaranteed to receive 70% of the huge sum of money that organizers have spent on the undisputed world heavyweight title fight. It would be quite a shock if Fury doesn't move significantly higher on Forbes' list next year.

Fury's next opponent, Usyk, is one of the biggest names in boxing who has yet to break into the rankings. The Ukrainian heavyweight only stepped into the ring once that year, when he successfully defended his world title against Daniel Dubois. The lack of activity is also a factor in the absence of pound-for-pound stars Terrence Crawford and Gervonta Davis.

Usyk, who is expected to be heavily bankrolled for the Fury fight, will be competing alongside another man with a big fight lined up next year, controversial YouTube personality turned boxer Jake Paul. Dew. “Problem Child” might have been on the 2024 list if he hadn't accepted a measly $2 million payout for his fight against Andre August last December.

Paul will earn big money in late July when he takes on heavyweight icon Mike Tyson in front of an expected crowd of 80,000 at AT&T Stadium in Texas. Although there are many critics of their match, both players are expected to see their bank balances swell as a result of this match. At 58 years old, “Iron Mike” could very well be one of the richest athletes on the planet by 2025.