On Saturday evening at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez suffered essentially the most painful defeat of his profession. Earlier than a file crowd of greater than 70,000 followers, Canelo was outboxed over 12 rounds by Terence Crawford, who grew to become the brand new undisputed tremendous middleweight champion. It was a tricky loss — simply the third of Canelo’s profession — and one which price him all 4 of his 168-pound belts.
And whereas he left the ring with out titles, he did not depart empty-handed. There are two large consolations that ought to be cheering Canelo up right now: First, he earned a assured $100 million for the battle (a determine that might finally attain $150 million). And second, the payday pushed his profession earnings previous the $800 million mark.
This is one thing else Canelo ought to be ok with: Floyd Mayweather formally retired from skilled boxing in 2017 on the age of 40. Floyd stays the all-time earnings king with roughly $1.1 billion in profession earnings. Canelo is simply 35 years outdated. He has already handed $800 million, he lately signed a Saudi contract value lots of of tens of millions, and his endorsement and enterprise ventures stay as sturdy as ever. Even in defeat, his probabilities of catching — and maybe surpassing — Floyd’s all-time file look very a lot alive.
This is how Canelo’s numbers add up over twenty years within the ring:
Canelo Álvarez Main Combat Purses
- Sugar Shane Mosley (2012) – $1.2 million
- Josesito Lopez (2012) – $2 million
- Floyd Mayweather (2013) – $25 million
- Erislandy Lara (2014) – $1.5 million
- Miguel Cotto (2015) – $15 million
- Amir Khan (2016) – $25 million
- Julio César Chávez Jr. (2017) – $25 million
- Gennady Golovkin I (2017) – $40 million
- Gennady Golovkin II (2018) – $35 million
- Daniel Jacobs (2019) – $35 million
- Sergey Kovalev (2019) – $35 million
- Callum Smith (2020) – $25 million
- Billy Joe Saunders (2021) – $35 million
- Caleb Plant (2021) – $40 million
- Dmitry Bivol (2022) – $40 million
- Gennady Golovkin III (2022) – $45 million
- Jermell Charlo (2023) – $40 million
- Jaime Munguía (2024) – $35 million
- Terence Crawford (2025) – $100 million (this would possibly finally swell to $150 million with upside)
Complete In-Ring Earnings: $640.7 million (assuming $100m from the Crawford battle)
(Picture by Steve Marcus/Getty Photographs)
Endorsements and Enterprise
Exterior the ring, Álvarez has stacked one other $160+ million via endorsements and investments. His partnerships have included Hennessy, Underneath Armour, and Everlast. He additionally famously signed a $365 million take care of DAZN in 2018 — then the richest contract in sports activities.
Canelo has invested closely in Mexico, with gasoline stations, actual property, and his personal chain of comfort shops. Add all of it up, and his profession earnings at the moment are estimated to exceed $800 million.
The Saudi Contract and Netflix Period
In early 2025, Álvarez inked a four-fight take care of Saudi Arabia, reportedly value $400 million. The Crawford battle was the second bout beneath that bundle, following his win over William Scull. If he fulfills the contract, Canelo may add lots of of tens of millions extra to his tally.
The Crawford battle was additionally a part of a brand new period of boxing distribution. Fairly than conventional $80 PPV buys, it streamed stay on Netflix to a world viewers. The battle produced the third-largest gate in boxing historical past, behind solely Mayweather–Pacquiao and Mayweather–McGregor. Even in defeat, Canelo as soon as once more proved himself the game’s largest field workplace draw.
Chasing Floyd Mayweather
The pure comparability is Floyd Mayweather, who retired in 2017 at age 40 with an ideal 50-0 file and about $1.1 billion in profession earnings. Canelo, at solely 35, is already at $800 million with assured Saudi cash on the best way. If he retains preventing for just a few extra years, Álvarez has a practical shot at surpassing Floyd and ending as boxing’s first $1.2 billion man.
Backside Line
Canelo Álvarez misplaced his belts on Saturday, however he is nonetheless in uncommon air financially. With greater than $640 million earned within the ring and one other $160 million exterior of it, his $800 million profession haul places him within the firm of Mayweather, Pacquiao, and Tyson as one of many richest fighters ever.
The legacy debate will rage after his loss to Terence Crawford, however in the case of cash, Canelo continues to be touchdown knockout punches.
