The bout between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor was rightly labeled ‘The Money Fight’.
In August of 2017, Mayweather and McGregor would meet in the ring to shake the world of combat sports.
Their crossover boxing match would be the most talked about fight of the year and one of the most famous fights of all time.
Mayweather aimed to extend his professional record to 50-0. Meanwhile, the Irishman was making his boxing debut.
Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor both earned nine figures in their 2017 fight
Irish MMA superstar McGregor would go into the boxing fight with Mayweather as UFC champion. However, it was ‘Money’ Mayweather who came out on top, stopping McGregor in round 10.
Regardless of the result, both fighters were paid a substantial purse for the bout.
In terms of pay-per-view buys, the bout sold 4.3 million in the US alone, resulting in huge revenue from the bout. The PPV numbers make it the second best-selling fight of all time, just behind Mayweather’s huge fight with Manny Pacquiao, which sold 4.6 million.
Even though Mayweather and Pacquiao did not fight in their prime, the numbers the bout produced may never be matched again.
In terms of guaranteed purses, the Nevada State Athletic Commission announced that McGregor would receive $30 million, while Mayweather earned $100 million.
However, both fighters would take home more following the incredible PPV numbers.
It is reported that McGregor made around $100 million from the fight, including PPV bonuses.
As for Mayweather, it was reported that he earned three times that of his opponent, taking home $300 million.
Having made hundreds of millions throughout his fighting career, Mayweather has not been shy of spending big. Even in 2024, the Mayweather bought his grandson an incredible $20 million gift.
There was some speculation of a rematch following the bout. However, a second meeting between Mayweather and McGregor never came to fruition.
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The belt for Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor was an expensive prize
When Mayweather welcomed Conor McGregor to the boxing ring, there was no world title on the line. However, the two did compete for a belt.
The WBC created the ‘Money Belt’ for the crossover boxing match.
Unlike most titles, the belt is understood to have cost somewhere between $400,000 and $1 million to create.
The strap of the belt was made from alligator skin, contributing to the high cost.
As well as this, the ‘Money Belt’ included 1.5 kilograms of 24-karat gold, 3,360 diamonds, 600 sapphires, and 300 emeralds.
Being the winner of the bout, it would be Mayweather who took the expensive belt home in what would be his last professional fight.