Canelo Alvarez Secures $137 Million, Ranks Second in Earnings

Canelo Alvarez has emerged as the second highest-paid athlete in 2025, amassing a remarkable total of $137 million despite a challenging year in the boxing ring. His earnings place him behind only Cristiano Ronaldo, who topped the list with an estimated $260 million during the same period, according to data from Sportico.

Alvarez’s year began with a victory over William Scull in May, where he successfully defended his undisputed super middleweight title. However, the fight was not particularly engaging for fans. The turning point came in September when Alvarez faced Terence Crawford, who moved up two weight divisions to defeat the Mexican champion in a stunning points victory. This unexpected loss was one of the most talked-about events in boxing this year.

Despite this defeat, Alvarez’s financial success remained largely unaffected. Of his total earnings, $125 million came directly from fight purses, while an additional $12 million was generated through various endorsement deals. This impressive income allowed him to surpass notable athletes such as soccer star Lionel Messi and NBA icon LeBron James.

Canelo Alvarez’s earnings, however, are significantly lower than those of Cristiano Ronaldo, who earned a staggering $200 million from his contract with Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr, in addition to $60 million from endorsements. The disparity highlights the lucrative nature of Ronaldo’s deal in the Middle East, which continues to reshape the landscape of sports earnings.

Looking ahead, Alvarez is set to return to the ring on September 12, 2025, leading a special event titled “Mexico against the World” in Riyadh. Organiser Turki Alalshikh confirmed that Alvarez will headline this card, although details regarding his opponent have yet to be revealed. “It will be a surprise in Saudi Arabia. Inshallah,” Alalshikh stated, generating excitement for the upcoming match.

As Alvarez prepares for this next chapter in his career, the boxing world will be watching closely to see if he can reclaim his standing and continue to build on his remarkable financial success.