Despite suffering two consecutive losses and recently announcing his retirement, Tyson Fury remains the highest-earning boxer of 2024, surpassing rivals such as Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua, and even football legend Lionel Messi.

Fury’s unexpected retirement announcement shocked the world, yet he has proved that his financial success extends far beyond his boxing career. Even after losing both of his major fights against Usyk, Fury has outearned his opponent and solidified his position as the most financially successful boxer in the sport.

According to Sportico, Fury ranked third on the list of the highest-paid athletes of 2024, an ironic twist given his recent defeats. His earnings from both inside and outside the boxing ring continue to set him apart as a financial powerhouse in the sport.

Breaking Down Tyson Fury’s $147 Million Earnings in 2024

Fury’s earnings for 2024 totaled a staggering $147 million, a figure that dwarfs the earnings of his closest boxing rivals. A huge portion of this amount, $140 million, came from his two high-profile bouts with Oleksandr Usyk, while the remaining $7 million was generated through various endorsements and commercial activities.

To put this into perspective:

Oleksandr Usyk, who triumphed in both his bouts with Fury, earned $122 million.
Anthony Joshua, once the most marketable and famous heavyweight, earned just $60 million—less than half of Fury’s total earnings. Joshua’s loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024 significantly impacted his earning potential and marketability.

Fury’s earnings highlight the financial disparity between him and his competitors. Even after losing twice, Fury remains a huge draw, able to generate monumental paydays and maintain his place at the top of the boxing world.

Boxing’s Role in the Global Sports Economy

Boxing is often seen as a sport reliant on pay-per-view (PPV) sales and sponsorships, but the 2024 earnings of the world’s top athletes reveal a more complex reality—only six boxers made it into the top 100 highest-paid athletes list this year.

While combat sports remain incredibly lucrative for the biggest names, boxing is still not on the same level as football, basketball, or tennis when it comes to overall earning opportunities. However, Fury’s ranking shows that top boxing stars can still earn incredible amounts of money and compete with athletes from other major sports.

Fury earned more than Lionel Messi, one of the world’s most marketable and famous athletes, who earned $135 million in 2024. This clearly demonstrates the tremendous financial impact of Fury’s fights and his ability to attract both hardcore boxing fans and casual viewers alike.

The Business Side of Tyson Fury: How He Generates Revenue

Fury’s massive financial success isn’t just due to his performance inside the ring. His business strategies, charisma, and marketing savvy all play a role in his impressive earnings. Fury has turned himself into one of the best self-promoters in sports, blending showmanship, a larger-than-life personality, and smart business decisions.

Here are a few key factors contributing to Fury’s earning power:

1. Exceptional Showmanship

Fury’s ability to entertain goes beyond his boxing skills. He has mastered self-promotion, creating a buzz around his fights with trash talk, eccentric entrances, and captivating storylines. His ability to entertain has made him a top draw for pay-per-view audiences.

2. The Rivalries That Drive Massive Paydays

Fury’s career has been defined by his rivalries with fighters like Deontay Wilder, Oleksandr Usyk, and Anthony Joshua. His two fights with Usyk were some of the biggest events in boxing, even though he lost. These rivalries have helped Fury secure enormous paydays for each of his matchups.

3. A Global Brand Beyond Boxing

Fury has developed a global fanbase that extends across Europe, the United States, and other parts of the world. His appeal goes beyond boxing, making him one of the most recognizable athletes worldwide.

4. Strategic Business Ventures

Fury’s business portfolio extends beyond boxing into endorsements, books, and other business ventures. His brand has expanded into sponsorships, boosting his earning potential outside the ring. Even if he remains retired, Fury’s brand is likely to continue generating revenue for years to come.

Comparing Fury to the World’s Highest-Paid Athletes

While Fury remains the top boxer in terms of earnings, he faces stiff competition from other global superstars. Here’s how Fury compares to the highest-paid athletes of 2024:

Cristiano Ronaldo: The football legend earned $260 million, securing the top spot as the highest-paid athlete in 2024. His earnings come from record-breaking contracts and endorsements.
Stephen Curry: The NBA star earned $158.3 million, showcasing the massive financial power of basketball’s global appeal.

These figures confirm that while boxing remains lucrative for top fighters, football and basketball continue to dominate in the world of global sports finance.

Conclusion

Tyson Fury’s impressive earnings in 2024 cement his status as one of the highest-paid boxers in history. Despite losing to Usyk, Fury’s $147 million earnings illustrate his financial power and the continued drawing power of his fights.

Fury’s position as the third-highest-paid athlete of 2024 shows the incredible appeal of his brand and the financial success he’s achieved. Whether he remains retired or returns to the ring, his business ventures and marketability will continue to generate significant income.

Tyson Fury’s legacy will undoubtedly be defined by his immense success inside and outside the ring, and he remains one of the most financially successful figures in all of sports history.