The total purse for the fight is expected to hit around $5 million. According to WBC rules, the champ usually gets 70% of the pot, while the challenger gets 30%. This means Stevenson could pocket about $3.5 million, and Zepeda might earn over $2 million.
Stevenson's no stranger to big paydays. He made $1.7 million fighting Jimmy Herring, according to The Ring and other media. When he won the lightweight title against Edwin de Los Santos, he reportedly earned between three and four million dollars. He made about the same at his last fight in Riyadh.
Zepeda, on the other hand, is stepping up to the big leagues. With 33 fights and 27 knockouts under his belt, his biggest payday so far was about $500,000 against Joseph Diaz, including bonuses. This fight against Stevenson is his shot at the big time.
The exact details of the purse are kept under wraps. It's hard to get the real scoop from the fighters themselves. A conservative guess puts the base pay at around $800,000, but it could go up to almost $2 million when you factor in ticket sales and TV rights.
For Stevenson, this fight could lead to even bigger matches. Eddie Hearn, a top promoter, thinks a fight between Stevenson and Gervonta Davis could be one of the best in boxing right now.
"Gervonta Davis vs. Shakur is one of the best fights that can be made in boxing today."
For Zepeda, a win on Saturday could open doors to big contracts and fights in Las Vegas. It's the biggest challenge of his career so far.
The fight's set for this Saturday, and while the purse details are hush-hush, one thing's for sure – both fighters stand to make a pretty penny. Win or lose, they'll both be leaving the ring with some heavy wallets.