Casual fans hear about the big purses of professional boxers and assume that all fighters get the paid the same.
Sadly, this isn’t true. In professional and amateur boxing, the majority of boxers have to struggle to make ends meet.
This article will discuss if amateur boxers get paid and possible ways they can make money.
Do Amateur Boxers Get Paid?
Amateur boxers don’t get paid for fights.
According to the USA Boxing Rulebook, amateur boxers are not allowed to fight for money.
This includes brand endorsements or even compensation for teaching another boxer.
Once beginner boxers see how hard it is to make money as an amateur boxer, they feel pressured to become a pro boxer as soon as possible.
From there, they can take advantage of the money that comes with pay-per-view fights and boxing as a show business.
However, for many boxers it takes a long time to gain the experience and fighting records to get a shot at the big stage.
How Much Do Amateur Boxers Make?
Since amateur boxers receive no official pay via checks or contracts, there is little to no data regarding the average salary of an amateur boxer.
Outside of a steady salary, the main ways an amateur boxer can make money are:
- Grants
- Paid expenses
- Day job
Out of these, the most common way an amateur boxer makes money is by maintaining a day job.
Grants
First, an amateur boxer can earn grants for his boxing performance.
This isn’t very common in the United States, where boxing is mainly a solo enterprise funded by private companies and individuals.
However, amateur boxers are supported in countries where boxing is seen as part of the institution.
For example, the former Soviet Union had a thriving amateur boxing scene because the government actively supported training and funded boxing in education.
Another example is the Olympic Committee providing grants for amateur boxers aiming to compete in the Olympic trials.
Expenses Paid
Next, an amateur boxer can have his expenses paid by a sponsor or supporting organization.
Training and traveling for boxing can be expensive, with costs including:
- Meals
- Travel
- Lodging
- Training fees
For example, if a boxer shows potential as an amateur and is preparing for the Olympic trials, USA Boxing can help out by paying for those costs.
Having these costs covered allows a boxer to focus only on training.
Day Job
Lastly, and most common, amateur boxers earn money by holding down a day job.
Many amateur and professional boxers rely on a steady form of income before reaching their first million dollars by fighting on the main card.
There are even some professional boxers who became title challengers while working regular jobs:
- Anthony Nieves (fought for the WBO bantamweight title while working as a banker)
- Joe Smith Jr (fought Bernard Hopkins while working construction)
As a beginner professional boxer, it takes a lot of time, effort, and luck to reach the pay grade of a Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather, two of the highest paid boxers in history.
Another aspect to consider in professional boxing is that hype and promotion bring together fights more than skill or talent.
Most professional fighters are simply not professional marketers. Because of this, many pro boxers are fighting off television and outside of the public eye.
Conclusion
After reading this article, now you know how tough it is to make money as a boxer, regardless of whether you’re an amateur or a professional.
At the professional level, the top 1% of boxers make the most money. However, the purses that you hear about on the news are subject to many deductions and aren’t steady income.
The highest paid boxer earns more money, but has to pay more costs, such as:
- Boxing promoter costs
- Boxing coach and cutman salaries
- Management fees
- Recovery/nutrition fees
It’s not unheard of for a pro boxer to sign a contract for a million dollar purse and only take home $50,000.
This is why many professional boxers and even boxing referees make money in other ways, such as brand endorsements or advertising.
In rare situations, some pro boxers bet on themselves to make a little more money.
In the end, boxing is a show business, and whoever controls the show makes the most money.
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