Hard Hitting Boxing Industry Stats & Trends In 2022

The numbers don’t lie. Boxing is a sport that the world cannot get enough of. And there are plenty of other stats to back this up. 

• #boxing has over 10.7 billion views on TikTok

• In the US alone, the market size of the boxing promoter’s industry is $438.6 million

• Floyd Mayweather is the world’s richest boxer with a fortune of $560 million

• $11 million—the amount that Anthony Joshua makes in annual sponsorship deals

• 39% of boxing fans are between the ages of 18 and 29

• The highest-grossing boxing match had a prize purse of more than $300 million

• $779 million was generated by the Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao fight

• $22000 - $37000 a year—the average annual salary of a pro boxer

• The UK has shown the greatest interest in boxing in the last 5 years

• Due to an increase in boxing events, female participation at the 2020 Olympics went up to 48.8%

While boxing is attracting an ever-growing number of fans, it’s not just those cheering on boxers in the ring contributing to the industry’s growth. There’s been an impressive increase in the size of the boxing equipment market too. 

The rising number of boxing tournaments that are taking place, the focus on big-name fighters, and the huge sums of prize money up for grabs for high-profile fights are encouraging more people to give the sport a try. 

The increased focus on health and fitness has given the sport a boost too, and a growing number of women are participating in it. So much so that in 2020, the AIBA pushed to add more female boxing events to the Tokyo Olympic Games schedule. This led to the Olympics having the highest representation of female athletes to date, with female participation up from 45.6% in 2016 to 48.8% in 2020. 

Add to this the growth of grassroots sporting programs that include boxing in schools, youth clubs, and communities, and it’s easy to see why boxing sporting equipment is getting a boost.

According to the Global Boxing Equipment Market Research Report 2022, the boxing equipment market size is on track to grow by $270.36 million from 2020-2025. During this period, the growth will accelerate at a CAGR of 5%. 

Now that we know the industry is growing and that interest in boxing, both as a spectator sport and one to participate in, is on the rise, let’s look at the revenue that’s being generated.

The amount of money that boxers can make off a single fight is as legendary as some of the biggest names in the sport. 

The Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao fight holds the title for the highest-grossing boxing match—for now anyway. Dubbed “The Fight of the Century” the bout took place in 2015 and had a total purse of more than $300 million. It raked in around $779 million in revenue, with around half of that from pay-per-view sales. 

Floyd 'Money' Mayweather then went on to face Conor McGregor in what was dubbed “The Money Fight” in 2017 and pocketed an impressive $275 million. But Mayweather didn’t stop there. He took on Logan Paul in 2021 and earned himself an estimated $65 million payday for 24 minutes in the ring. The fight between the pro-boxer and YouTube star also earned $50 million in pay-per-view revenue alone.  

Other big-name boxers are raking in the cash too and making big bucks for the industry at the same time. Nearing the top of the highest-paid boxers list are Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, both of who are making huge sums from fights and several million from endorsements.

But what about the average professional boxer that doesn’t yet have their name in lights? Combat Sports Events reports that the average pro boxer can make between $22000 and $37000 a year, but they could make less than $1000 dollars a fight. Especially if they have to pay a percentage to a promoter.

When you look at the boxing industry as a whole, it’s clear that there are three streams of revenue. The money the boxers make, the money that they’re paid for endorsements, and the money that pay-per-view rakes in. This third stream highlights just how important viewership is to keeping boxing alive and kicking.

We’ve already seen how boxing is growing in popularity with younger audiences, and the viewership trends back this fact up. 

The aforementioned Harris poll revealed that the highest percentage of boxing and MMA fans fell between the ages of 18 and 29. Young boxing fans made up a whopping 39% of viewers, while MMA came in just behind at 37%. In contrast, the older generation had the lowest number of viewers, with only 17% of the 65 and older age group choosing boxing as the sport they want to want. 

Interestingly, the UK has had the greatest interest in boxing in the last 5 years, with a Google Trend report showing that searches for “boxing” are the highest globally. Between 2017-2022, the UK had a search interest score of 100 for the term ‘boxing’, followed by Australia at 67, and New Zealand at 64. Canada came up the rear with an interest score of 45, while America racked up 35.

A recent GWI report that focuses on the popularity of sports around the world indicates that there are many differences in boxing viewership around the world. In Europe and North America, boxing doesn’t even feature in the top 5 list of most-watched sports. 

But things look different in the Middle East where boxing comes in 5th, with around 42% of viewers watching fights online.   

In the Asia Pacific, boxing is third out of all the most popular sports and has a viewership of 40% of online viewers. While in Latin America it’s the second most popular sport (again, topped by soccer) and it attracts 46% of internet users. Viewership in both the Asia Pacific and LatAm regions is also on the rise, so these figures are expected to grow.

Interest may be spiking in the younger generation and in Latin America and the Asia Pacific, but what do the overall demographics of boxing viewers look like?

According to a 2021 Statista survey, 21% of Hispanic respondents in the USA are avid fans of men's boxing. 

• 20% of American men identify themselves as “avid fans” of men’s boxing matches

• 28% of American men say they are fans of professional boxing

• Hispanic viewers are more likely to watch boxing than MMA

• 44% of MMA and boxing fans are female

• 60% of women who watch boxing are Caucasian

• Big-name fights pull in the most viewers

• The Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao fight brought in pay-per-view revenue of $410 million, with Mayweather holding the top 4 spots for highest PPV fights. Mike Tyson holds 5th place at $112 million in PPV revenue for his fight against Lennox Lewis.

The pandemic didn’t have much effect on boxing viewership. In fact, the demand for the sport remained. Research shows that the most-watched boxing match on the Showtime channel during this time was between Castano and Charlo pulled in 604,000 viewers. Aside from showtime, the PPV fight between Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier pulled in around 669,00 viewers. 

Some people may credit Logan Paul for the growth of interest in boxing on social media, and they wouldn’t be wrong. 

Logan Paul started out on Vine in 2013 and went on to become a YouTube star. But he made his name in boxing by being signed by WWE’s RAW brand and taking on former five-division world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2021.

Paul may have lost the fight, but he got social media abuzz. Now, it’s become a popular platform for fighters to challenge each on or to grow their fan base. 

On TikTok, the hashtag boxing has well over 10.7 billion views, while on Instagram, boxing heavyweights like Mayweather have 22.3 million followers. Twitter is big with boxing fans, with Mayweather topping the list again with 7.8 million followers, followed by Mike Tyson with 5.5 million. 

Social media is playing a growing role in boxing and it’s giving amateur boxers a platform to make a name for themselves. Boxing “influencers” are promoting themselves and their fights, and many of them are gaining fame for their online presence alongside their boxing skills. 

Australian boxer Ebanie Bridges is an excellent example of how boxing and social media are colliding. With 340,000 Instagram followers and 87,000 Twitter fans, Bridges was given a shot at the WBA women’s bantamweight belt, but she had only boxed professionally 5 times in her career. Her social media following was credited for her inclusion in the ring, and it certainly got her noticed. 

Similar tactics have been employed by Dave Allen, who retired at age 28. Allen credits social media for helping him to fast-track his boxing career—something he now says was a mixed blessing.

It’s safe to say that in the future, social media will influence the boxing world in many ways, much the same as it influences our daily lives already.

With the rise of boxing viewership and social media comes an increase in the number of boxers who are entering the ring. The growth of the boxing equipment market proved that more people are taking up the sport, and this can only be a positive step forward. 

Boxing remains very much a male-dominated sport for now. However, as the increase in female boxing events at the Tokyo Olympics showed, there are more women getting into the sport. 

Diversity and inclusivity in sports have been a hot topic for a while now, and boxing is no different. There’s been a lot of interest generated around America’s first trans pro boxer to go public, Patricio “Cacahuate” Manuel. Unfortunately, Manuel isn’t finding it easy to make his way in the male boxing world and has battled to find an opponent who will take him on in the ring. Despite the lack of opponents, he has been signed by Everlast as part of their “Be First” campaign that includes an amputee fighter. Manuel has shone the spotlight on equality in sport and paved the way for both men and women who want to fight on their terms.

In the future, boxing may become far more diverse and inclusive than we could have imagined, especially as it’s getting taught in so many schools and community facilities. It’s a sport that can transcend boundaries and change lives. 

Many of the world’s most famous boxers came from disadvantaged backgrounds, but that hasn’t stopped them from making their way to the top. In fact, in the case of Mike Tyson, it served as extra motivation.

There is another demographic that’s getting into boxing too, and this one may surprise you. 

Gamers.

eSports boxing games are growing in popularity, with titles like Fight Night Champion, Creed Rise To Glory, and eSports Boxing Club leading the way. PC, Xbox, and PlayStation gamers can play as real boxers with stats that get updated in real-time. Players are literally put into the shoes of famous boxers in title fights that play out virtually.

The size of the global eSports industry is expected to reach 12,494.3 million by 2030 and boxing is joining soccer, F1, and other popular sports that are making this happen. There’s been a major increase in eSports betting too, and in time, we’re sure to see boxing make waves in this sector. Boxing betting has a history that spans over 5,000 years, so you can bet that eSports boxing betting is on the horizon.

Behind every great boxer and every fight is a promoter. To give you an idea of just how big a role boxing promoters play, you simply need to consider the current stats for this industry.

In the US in 2022, the market size of the boxing promoter’s industry is $438.6 million.

This market is expected to increase by 1.8% in 2022, and it’s grown at a rate of 2.2% in the last 5 years. Overall, the promoter industry grew at a faster rate than the economy, which is hugely positive. However, there are barriers to growth. But as interest in the sport grows and sponsorship enjoys an upwards trajectory, these barriers become lower. 

It’s interesting to note that many boxing promoters were once boxers themselves. These fighters have used their industry experience to build up some of the biggest names in today’s boxing world.

Promoters are also big moneymakers, and they get paid huge sums for their services. Many of them, like Don King, become famous in their own right and are as legendary as the fighters they put in the ring.

The richest boxing promoters at present are:

Bob Arum - $200 million

Don King - $150 million 

Floyd Moneyweather - $100 million

50 Cent (the rapper) - $100 million

Al Haymon - $15 million

These are boxing’s most elite promoters and both 50 Cent and Arum have ties to Mayweather. Arum helped build Mayweather’s career and was responsible for inking several huge TV deals for him, while 50 Cent got into the industry due to his friend. The pair have been engaged in several public feuds over the years, but in many ways, this has only added to their popularity.

The richest promoters may be one thing, but what about the organizations that make it all happen?  There are several that are responsible for propelling the sport forward, making champions, and marketing the fighters that get in the ring.

Top Rank is headed up by Bob Arum and is considered the biggest name in boxing promotion. Top Rank has promoted Muhammad Ali, Joe Fraizer, George Foreman, Floyd Mayweather, Oscar De La Hoya, and Sugar Ray Leonard, to name just a few. They currently have big names like Tyson Fury and Vasiliy Lomachenko on their books.

Golden Boy Promotions in LA is considered one of the best promoters in the world in 2022. Owned by Oscar De La Hoya and built on the foundation of his success, the promoter has worked with an enormous number of pro boxers, including big names like Manny Pacquaio, Canelo Alvarez, Deontay Wilder, Patrick Teixeira, Wanheng Menayothin and Joseph Diaz. Golden Boy Promotions were behind the record-breaking Mayweather De La Hoya pay-per-view fight and co-hosted Pacquaio vs De La Hoya with Top Rank.

These two promoters have established themselves in the industry, but there are others that are building their brands on the back of social media.

Triller Fight Club is one of these, and the promoter is a subsidiary of the social media app and video creating and sharing platform Triller. Thanks to their huge social media following, Triller has been able to generate attention for stars like Logan Paul and they’ve promoted retired UFC stars like Tito Ortiz, Frank Mir, and Tyron Woodley. They are new to the scene but are making forays into the industry backed by an audience of several million online supporters. 

Other promoters that are doing well are focusing on smaller markets and working hard to bring themselves to the attention of the national and then international boxing world.

Tri-star in Nashville focuses on promoting boxers and fights in the Tennessee area and wants to expand its reach in the next few years. They’ve organized more than 25 events since they got off the ground in 2021 and are grooming and promoting home-grown boxers they believe have the potential to make it big. 

As we barrel towards 2023, IGNITE and Airtight promotions are making headway as promoters, both in the local US boxing scene and MMA.

Whether it’s boxing, soccer, tennis, or any other popular sport, every athlete knows that there’s big money to be made from endorsements. Sponsors pay enormous sums of money for the privilege of being associated with big-name boxers and, in turn, they benefit from the association. Fans love to emulate their heroes and they’ll trust the brands that they endorse as they become familiar.

In some cases, boxers make more money from endorsements than fights, especially as their star rises.

These are some of the biggest sponsorships in boxing currently, and the boxers that get paid big money to be associated with the brands annually:

Anthony Joshua: British boxing pro Anthony Joshua rakes in $11 million in sponsorship deals annually thanks to his association with Lucozade, Beats by Dre, and Under Armour. 

Tyson Fury: Two-time heavyweight champ Tyson Fury has several smaller endorsements under his belt. But the British boxer is making his biggest paycheck from $3 million endorsement deals with FashionNova and Wow Hydrates. 

Gennadiy Golovkin: Having lost only 1 of his 43 pro fights, Golovkin who hails from Kazakhstan is a major drawcard for sponsorships. He’s rolling in the money from endorsements from Hublot, Nike’s Jordan, and Tecate, pocketing an extra $2.5 million. 

Canelo Alvarez: A Mexican force to be reckoned with, Canelo Alvarez has won numerous championships in different categories. This has made him an attractive choice for sponsors, and he takes home $2 million a year from endorsements from the likes of Hennessey, Cleto Reyes, and Tecate. 

Manny Pacquiao: With 12 titles in 8 categories to his name, it’s easy to see why sponsors love Manny Pacquiao. Currently, he’s sponsored by Cleto Reyes and ANTA, earning himself a tidy $1 million a year.

Floyd Mayweather: Surprisingly, Mayweather has had very few sponsors during his career, but many say that this is due to him already having several other business interests—including his promotional company. He’s racked up sponsorships worth $1 million from Hublot, Fanduel, and Burger King. 

While sponsors often sign long-term deals like those above, boxers can rake in big money for signing single deals for a specific fight. When Logan Paul and Floyd Mayweather went head-to-head it was estimated that the pair would make around $30 million just in endorsements. Mayweather inked endorsement deals from OnlyFans, Grant Worldwide, TAAT, and BetOnline, to name a few. Paul in turn inked deals with a range of brands, such as Atari, SuperBid, and FinTech company Current.

Looking at these trends and statistics, it’s very clear that boxing is not a sport that’s dying out. In fact, quite the opposite is true. Boxing is growing in every direction, whether online or in the real world, at grassroots, or in the biggest, brightest lit ring.

There’s no question about it. The next year or two is going to be incredibly exciting for boxing fans, and all the new fans that discover the sport along the way. It’s also going to be a big money spinner for the fighters, the promoters, and the brands that endorse them.