This is How Floyd Mayweather Become the Richest Boxer Ever

The much-hyped fight between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor in Las Vegas was big news. Projected as ‘four parts spectacle and one-part boxing’, chances are undoubtedly bright for Floyd. This profitable Saturday night will fetch both fighters’ huge pay-checks for fighting in the ring for 36 minutes!  McGregor clears about $100 million, with Mayweather secures $200 million, boosting his career earnings somewhat closer to the $1 billion mark.

Creator: Ethan Miller | Credit: Getty Images | Copyright: 2017 Getty Images

The story of the lonely road taken for this achievement is a long one. Quick and shrewd marketing tactics with a $750000 bet on himself enabled his rise to the pinnacle of success. While not betting everything on himself inside the ring, he is a notorious gambler. The split from his Hall of fame promoter Bob Arum, a decade back, was a major boost. Mayweather understood his potentials which he utilized to make more for himself, rather than remain linked to a promoter of greats like Muhammad Ali, Manny Pacquiao, Oscar De La Hoya, to name a few.

THE START

The ‘Pretty Boy’ image Arum used to promote Floyd early in his professional career, was immediately after the 1996 Summer Olympics. The partnership really succeeded after Mayweather remained indomitable and earned increasing pay checks for every tie. Seventeen straight wins, and his first title in 1998 when beating Genaro Hernandez, earned $150000.Against Arturo Gatti in 2005 and Zab Judah in 2006, he earned $ 365000 and $ 375000, respectively! Though mind-blowing, Floyd’s pay-check remained in the $3 million range. But he wanted more. He used the opt-out clause in the Top Rank contract, paying $750,000 as part of the 2006 deal.

BECOMING UNSTOPPABLE

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Pretty Boy moved to be Money Mayweather with his own promotion company. The classic showman made appearances in WrestleMania and Dancing with the Stars. As social media determines popularity today, Mayweather secured a large fan following exceeding 37 million followers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. With great marketing and financial skills, Mayweather’s pay checks kept escalating after he took charge. With $25 million after beating Oscar De La Hoya in 2007, smashing all record PPV buys with 2.48 million. ‘Mayweather Promotions’ pulled in major revenue streams via Mayweather, without any middleman. A blockbuster six-fight deal was signed in 2012 with Showtime. He started his career with HBO, but when Showtime made an offer of $32 million per fight, he accepted, thereby building HBO’s boxing competitor. Plus he had the PPT receipts’ share. This deal was the most lucrative in sports history. The Canelo fight in September 2013 broke all PPV revenue records for $153 million. Mayweather got $41.5 million, with another $30 million from the revenue cut.

MAKING A FRESH RETURN IS NEAT

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In 2015, Mayweather retired after the Showtime deal expired. But he would again be back in the ring for a second nine-figure payday. If the fight is a massive hit as projected, his career earnings can reach $1 billion, level with legendary athletes like Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, and Michael Schumacher. As of 2021, Mayweather’s net worth is estimated at around $450 million. He is planning a new home in Beverly Hills, California, which costs about $500,000. With his enormous car collection, he does not ask for more.