Mayweather, known as "Money," changed the game when it came to boxing and finances. He went undefeated in 50 fights and made a name for himself as a savvy businessman and self-promoter. His biggest paydays came from fights against Manny Pacquiao in 2015 and Conor McGregor in 2017, which earned him over $1.1 billion combined.
Even after retiring, Mayweather's smart investments have kept him on the list of the 50 highest-paid athletes of all time, according to Sportico. His total career earnings are estimated at $1.5 billion.
Now, Canelo Alvarez is making moves that could see him surpass those numbers. He just inked a $400 million contract for four fights with Riyadh Season and Turki Alalshikh. His last fight brought in $80 million, and he's expected to make $150 million for a September bout against Crawford.
Canelo told reporters:
"I'm not thinking about making a certain amount of money and then retiring. No. I'm going to do my thing. And then when I'm 37 or 38, it's time to retire."
At his current pace, Canelo could become the richest boxer in history, potentially breaking the $1 billion mark before he hangs up his gloves. His appeal in the Mexican-American market makes him a valuable asset for promoters and sponsors alike.
The boxing world has changed a lot since Mayweather's heyday. Record-breaking contracts are becoming more common, and places like Saudi Arabia are putting big money into the sport. This shift in the financial landscape of boxing is giving fighters like Canelo the chance to earn more than ever before.
As Canelo continues his career, all eyes will be on his earnings to see if he can indeed surpass the financial legacy left by "Money" Mayweather.