Why Boxers Makes So Much Money?

Breaking Down the Fundamental Differences in Rules and Earnings Between Boxing and UFC

Financial Disparity in Combat Sports:

In the exciting world of fighting, we can see that boxers make a lot more money than UFC fighters. Let's talk about what happened on a special Saturday, August 20th. On that day, there was a big UFC match between Kamara Usman and Leon Edwards, and at the same time, Anthony Joshua fought against Alexander Yousick 2 in a heavyweight showdown.

August 20th Showdown: UFC vs. Boxing:

This special day showed us that there's a big difference in how much money boxers and UFC fighters get. Boxers like Anthony Joshua earn a ton, showing how profitable boxing is. On the flip side, even though UFC fighters are skilled and work hard, they don't make as much money.

The fact that these two important events happened on the same day, August 20th, tells us a lot about the variety in fighting sports and how athletes deal with different money situation.

Purse Breakdown: UFC Main Event:

Kamaru Usman, the main fighter in the UFC, got $750,000 as his main prize, plus an extra $42,000 from sponsors. On the other hand, Leon Edwards earned $400,000, with an additional $100,000 for winning, and a $32,000 bonus from sponsors. The highlight of Edwards' night was earning an extra $50,000 for his amazing performance, which led to a knockout of Kamaru Usman in the late fifth round.

                                            

Related video: Andrew Schulz Asks Joe Rogan About UFC Fighter 

Pay

                                            

Heavyweight Prize: Boxing Mega Fight:

Now, let's talk about the big boxing match on the same exciting night. Anthony Joshua and Alexander Usyk were part of a massive fight where they shared a whopping $150 million prize. This doesn't even include extra money from sponsors or secret pay-per-view earnings. It's clear that there's a huge difference in how much money boxers in boxing make compared to UFC fighters.

In combat sports, there's a constant gap, like a big hole or problem. The question is, why do boxers make a lot more money than UFC fighters? The answer is simple: boxing and UFC are different in how they're set up.

Financial Metrics: UFC vs. Boxing Events:

In boxing, it's like a free market where there are many promotions, different belt organizations, and no one big boss controlling everything. This gives boxers the freedom to negotiate their contracts in a flexible way. On the other hand, the UFC is the main boss in MMA, with a strong hold on the market. Even though there are other promotions, the UFC's power makes it tough for fighters to have much say in negotiations.

Revenue Distribution: UFC vs. Boxing:

To show how these structural differences matter, let's look at two big events—one from UFC and one from boxing—especially regarding how they shared the money they made. UFC 196, with Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor, made $80 million. On the other side, Anthony Joshua and Vladimir Klitschko's boxing match earned $68 million. Even though the UFC event made more money overall, the fighters in the UFC got less money compared to the boxers.

Interestingly, the UFC usually gives about 16% of all the money it makes to its fighters. But in other sports, like boxing, fighters often get 40 to 50% of the total earnings. This big difference shows how the way things are set up affects how much money fighters end up with.

Marketing Opportunities: Boxers vs. UFC Fighters:

Boxers have more ways to make money because they can get paid by big companies to endorse their products. This doesn't happen for UFC fighters. There was a big deal with Reebok in the UFC that stopped fighters from getting individual sponsorships, meaning they can't earn money this way. On the other hand, boxers get a lot of money from famous brands like Dolce & Gabbana and Hublot who pay them to promote their stuff. So, while UFC fighters mainly make money from their fights, boxers have extra ways to earn a lot more.

Muhammad Ali Reform Act: Safeguarding Boxers:

Boxers are helped by the Muhammad Ali Reform Act, a law that protects them. This law makes sure that financial dealings are clear, stops promoters from also being managers, and importantly, keeps fighter rankings separate from promoters. This helps boxers not rely too much on just one promotion and makes the competition fairer, which is not the case for UFC fighters.

Conclusion:

In simple terms, boxers make more money than UFC fighters because of how their sports are set up. In boxing, there are many different groups involved, and laws protect the fighters. This helps boxers get good deals and earn a lot of money from contracts and sponsorships. On the other hand, UFC fighters have less freedom because the UFC is a big and powerful organization. They have to follow the rules and can't negotiate as much, so they depend on the UFC for their earnings.

Understanding this difference, it's important to see the good and bad sides of each system. Boxing's way allows for higher earnings, but it can lead to delays in big fights and a confusing system with many championship belts. In the end, the money and rules in these sports play a big role in deciding how fighters build their careers, turning the sport into a mix of athleticism and business strategy.