The heavyweight division has always been the jewel in the crown when it comes to boxing.
When you think of the biggest and best names in boxing, heavyweight fighters are the ones that come to mind.
Given that the greatest fight nights often involve names such as Anthony Joshua, Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury they’re the ones who get the biggest pay day.
According to a list compiled by data from Forbes, The Sun and Marca (accurate as of June 21, 2024) only the top five heavyweight fighters have at least $10 million in career earnings.
So without further a do, let’s see what this list looks like.
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10 – Zhilei Zhang – $3 million
- Total career earnings: $3 million
- Career record: 27-2-1
The Chinese heavyweight star has aged like a fine wine in his boxing career and risen up the ranks in the latter years.
He held the (WBO) interim heavyweight title from 2023-2024 and as of June, was named as the fifth-best active heavyweight by Ring Magazine.
Zhang first claimed the title in his double-header against Joe Joyce, knocking him out in both fights. He would then concede the title to Joseph Parker in January, 2024.
In his last fight, as part of the Queensbury vs Matchroom five vs five match-up, Zhang took on Deontay Wilder.
As usual, many wrote off Zhang however he comprehensively dealt with Wilder thanks to a stunning knockout in the fifth round.
9 – Joe Joyce – $4 million
- Total career earnings: $4 million
- Career record: 16-2
‘Juggernaut’ held the (WBO) interim heavyweight title from 2022 to 2023 and has recorded a stunning 93 per cent knockout-to-win ratio during his career.
Joyce has also secured huge wins against the likes of Joseph Parker and Daniel Dubois but his last two bouts saw him fall to defeat against Zhang and most recently Derek Chisora.
8 – Daniel Dubois – $5 million
- Total career earnings: $5 million
- Career record: 21-2
Dubois is currently one of the most exciting talents in heavyweight boxing.
19 of his victories have come via the way of knockout and his right hand is one of the deadliest in the sport right now.
His only two defeats have come against Joyce and Usyk but the 26-year-old may have a chance to get revenge if he can beat Joshua at Wembley Stadium on September 21.
Victory in that would then pave the way for him to become the mandatory challenger to the winner of the rematch between Fury and Usyk.
7 – Joseph Parker – $5 million
- Total career earnings: $5 million
- Career record: 35-3
Hailing from New Zealand, Parker became the first heavyweight boxer from either New Zealand or the Pacific Islands to become a world champion after defeating Andy Ruiz Jr in 2016.
His most recent bout saw him take on Zhang where he won the fight by majority decision – despite being knocked down twice.
6 – Luis Ortiz – $8 million
- Total career earnings: $8 million
- Career record: 34-3-0
The Cuban-born fighter initially began boxing in order to support his daughter, who was born with a rare medical skin condition known as Epidermolysis bullosa.
He turned pro in 2010 and won 12 of his first 14 fights via the way of stoppage. ‘King Kong’s’ last fight was at the start of the year, where he beat Francisco Cordero thanks to a knockout in the first round.
5 – Andy Ruiz Jr – $18 million
- Total career earnings: $18 million
- Career record: 35-2
The Mexican is best known for his surprise win against Joshua in which he dropped the then-unified world champion four times in front of a sold-out Madison Square Garden to become heavyweight champion in 2019. Ruiz then lost the rematch in December of that year.
Following a 23-month layoff Ruiz made his return to the ring against Jarrell Miller earlier this month (August) where the bout ended in a draw.
4 – Oleksandr Usyk – $83 million
- Total career earnings: $83 million
- Career record: 22-0
The Ukrainian made history earlier this year by becoming the first undisputed champion of the heavyweight division since Lennox Lewis in 1999 after his win against Fury.
Usyk was also previously the cruiserweight undisputed champion and 2012 Olympics gold medalist and has picked up notable wins against Joshua, Tony Bellew, Chisora, Dubois and others across the two divisions.
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3 – Deontay Wilder – $100 million
- Total career earnings: $100 million
- Career record: 34-1-1
‘The Bronze Bomber’ previously held the WBC heavyweight title between 2015-2020 and has often been regarded as one of the most powerful punchers in the sport’s history.
Wilder’s success in 2015 saw him become the first American heavyweight champion since 2007. He then eventually lost his belt to Fury in a trilogy of fights – with the last one coming in 2021.
2 – Tyson Fury – $150 million
- Total career earnings: $150 million
- Career record: 34-1-1
The ‘Gypsy King’ is one of the best heavyweight boxers of all time.
His larger-than-life character in and out of the ring has captured the hearts of millions around the world.
Fury has been involved in several high-profile fights including an epic trilogy against Wilder and most recently Usyk.
Although his bout against Usyk ended in defeat, Fury still showed plenty of resilience to carry on despite being knocked out in the ninth round. He will look for revenge when the two meet again in December.
1 – Anthony Joshua – $250 million
- Total career earnings: $250 million
- Career record: 28-3
After arriving on the scene at the London 2012 Olympics, where he won gold, Joshua turned pro in 2013 and has established himself as a household name in global boxing.
In 2014 the Englishman was named the Prospect of the Year by Ring Magazine and was also awarded fight of the year in 2017 for his incredible battle against Wladimir Klitschko.
However, after two defeats against Usyk, the 34-year-old has worked himself back up to the top with victories against Jermaine Franklin, Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou. His next fight is in September against fellow Englishman Dubois.