Canelo Becomes Highest-Paid Athlete In 2025

Canelo Alvarez has become the highest-paid athlete this year, surpassing the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Canelo is the former Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion who has won titles in four weight classes. His only losses have come against Floyd Mayweather and Dmitry Bivol, who are considered as some of the best fighters ever. Canelo’s last fight against Edgar Berlanga showed his pulling power. He sold 650,000 PPVs, with a live gate of $17 million. This was impressive despite the fight receiving a lot of criticism after the David Benavidez bout never happened.

However, Canelo still managed to secure big deals. He inked a four-bout deal with the Saudis, starting with his William Scull fight on May 3. It will take place on Cinco De Mayo Weekend, as Canelo could become undisputed for a second time at 168. A win also means he will likely face off against Terence Crawford in September. Canelo will be paid his worth, with the news that he will receive $200 million this year for two fights. That makes up the $400 million for the total four-bout deal. That means Canelo becomes the most lucrative sportsman. Prime Casino reports that Canelo’s pulling power is still relevant to this day. 

Canelo’s Ranking

Canelo Alvarez: $200 million

Cristiano Ronaldo: $200 million

Jon Rahm: $175 million

Oleksandr Usyk: $105 million

Neymar: $95 million

Dak Prescott: $75 million

Nevertheless, Canelo could still secure bigger paydays. There is a chance that his four-fight deal does not cover the David Benavidez bout, meaning that is another big payday on the table. He has also been linked with a Jake Paul fight, as reports indicated a deal was close. Paul said Canelo chose to sign with the Saudis instead.

However, after the four-fight deal, Canelo could take a much easier fight for a massive payday. Jake’s fight with Mike Tyson reportedly earned The Problem Child $40 million, meaning Canelo could get something much bigger. The future looks bright for Canelo.