Floyd Mayweather will earn a minimum of $32 million for his welterweight unification fight with Argentina's Marcos René Maidana on Saturday night. The figured were released today by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, who will oversee the bout at Las Vegas' MGM Grand.
Mayweather's two fights in 2013 netted him €73 million in minimum purses. Both were comfortable decision victories: he earned $32 million against Robert Guerrero in May and $41.5 million against Saúl 'Canelo' Álvarez in September. His total earnings last year were probably closer to $90 million, as he controlled much of the profits from the events. For example, the Álvarez bout set the all-time boxing revenue record for domestic pay-per-view ($150 million) and live gate (just over $20 million).
By comparison, Maidana will earn a career-high official purse of $1.5 million, but will earn more if the US pay-per-view figures are good. He also stands to gain from Argentine TV rights.
The winner of the Mayweather-Maidana fight is likely to face either Amir Khan or Luis Collazo, who will contest the welterweight co-feature. Khan will officially earn $1.5 million on Saturday, while Collazo will get $350,000. Still not bad for an hour's work.
Mayweather's frankly ridiculous pay packet will no doubt be put to good use should he make a bid for the LA Clippers in the wake of the Donald Sterling racism scandal. We reported yesterday that Mayweather had spoken of his interest in buying the team with some other investors, possibly including Oscar de le Hoya (but probably not Frankie Muniz).
[ESPN]
