The United States, once the epicenter of boxing, has seen its prominence diminish in recent years as fighters from other nations, notably Mexico’s Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk, have taken center stage in major bouts. Nonetheless, the US remains the birthplace of numerous iconic boxers, with legendary figures amassing significant wealth from their illustrious careers.
With the recent surge of financial investments in boxing from Saudi Arabia, contemporary stars such as Ryan Garcia and Terence Crawford (both valued at $20 million) are expected to break into the top 10 by the end of their careers. However, they still have a considerable journey ahead to reach the remarkable fortunes of the richest American boxers throughout history.
Below is a comprehensive overview of the top 10 wealthiest American boxers, with figures sourced from Celebrity Net Worth unless otherwise indicated. For fighters who have passed away, their net worth at the time of their death has been cited for historical accuracy.
T10. Mike Tyson
Net worth: $30 million
Once valued at $300 million during his prime, Mike Tyson faced several financial difficulties that led to the loss of his significant earnings from bouts against Frank Bruno, Evander Holyfield, and Lennox Lewis. After a loss to Kevin McBride in 2005, he admitted that he fought out of financial necessity. Tyson retired after that fight but made a notable comeback against social media influencer Jake Paul last November, reportedly earning $20 million. This revival has opened up new sponsorship and endorsement opportunities, helping him to recover some of his lost wealth.
T10. Deontay Wilder
Net worth: $30 million
Recognized as one of the most powerful knockout artists in boxing, Deontay Wilder made headlines during his five-year tenure as the WBC heavyweight champion from 2015 to 2020. His considerable wealth was primarily amassed during his intense trilogy against Tyson Fury. Although Wilder has had a shaky performance since his losses to ‘The Gypsy King’, including winning just one of his last five fights, he is anticipated to boost his earnings with a comeback fight scheduled for June.
T8. Marvin Hagler
Net worth: $40 million
‘Marvellous Marvin’ Hagler earned substantial amounts throughout his boxing career, reportedly receiving up to $20 million for his iconic 1987 match with Sugar Ray Leonard, alongside significant payouts for fights against Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns. After retiring following his match with Leonard, Hagler continued to enjoy financial success through punditry, personal appearances, and brief acting roles. He passed away in March 2021 with an estimated net worth of $40 million.
T8. Bernard Hopkins
Net worth: $40 million
A two-division world champion, ‘The Executioner’ Bernard Hopkins had an illustrious 28-year career, legitimately marking his place in boxing history. His highest earning fight was the $10 million he earned for defeating Oscar De La Hoya in 2004. In addition to facing legendary fighters like Joe Calzaghe and Roy Jones Jr., Hopkins set a record as the oldest champion in boxing history at 49, when he unified the WBA and IBF light heavyweight titles by defeating Beibut Shumenov.
