Boxing

Canelo Alvarez leads Tyson Fury, Conor McGregor, Jake Paul in 2022 earnings

Tyson Fury has earned more than Conor McGregor in 2022, but fellow boxer Canelo Alvarez comes out on top in fighter earnings this year.

The Notorious hasn’t fought since breaking his leg at UFC 264 last July – but still leads YouTube phenom Jake Paul.

Sportico have revealed the top 100 earning athletes of 2022 so far, with only four from the combat sports world making the cut.

LeBron James leads the way with £104million ($127m) in total earnings, while footballers Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar make up the rest of the top four.

In fifth place, and top of all fighters, is recently defeated Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez.

The 31-year-old was beaten by Dmitry Bivol last weekend as he attempted to move up to light heavyweight.

But he earned a pretty penny doing so.

Alvarez has earned £69m ($84m) in winnings so far this year, as well as a further £4m ($5m) in endorsements.

Canelo Alvarez, right, of Mexico, throws a punch against Dmitry Bivol, of Kyrgyzstan, during a light heavyweight title fight, Saturday, May 7, 2022, in Las Vegas.
Canelo Alvarez has earned $84 million in winnings and another $5 million in endorsements in 2022. AP Photo/John Locher

This money puts him ahead of the likes of Steph Curry, Tiger Woods and Roger Federer.

The second fighter on the list is Tyson Fury, who is 14th overall.

Fury has earned £52m ($63m) in winnings, having downed Dillian Whyte in what he claims will be his last fight.

The Gypsy King has also added a further £5m ($6m) in endorsements.

Britain's Tyson Fury, center, celebrates after beating Britain's Dillian Whyte during their WBC heavyweight title boxing fight at Wembley Stadium in London, Saturday, April 23, 2022.
Tyson Fury earned $63 million in winnings in 2022. AP Photo/Ian Walton

Amazingly, the third fighter on the list is Conor McGregor, who last fought ten months ago.

The Irishman, 33, has pocketed £26m ($32m) in earnings this year, with a whopping £16m ($20m) in endorsements.

When he does eventually return from injury he won’t be short of big-money fights – with both Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler having called him out last weekend.

McGregor is ahead of the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Max Verstappen on the leaderboard.

The fourth and final fighter within the top 100 is Jake Paul, despite the American also having not fought in 2022.

His last fight came in December, when he knocked Tyron Woodley out in their rematch.

Paul, 25, is still claimed to have earned £31m ($37m) this year.

The Problem Child has turned his hand to promoting in 2022, helping to set up Amanda Serrano’s historic bout with Matchroom fighter Katie Taylor at Madison Square Garden last month.

No other fighters appear in the top 100, with the list not including a single UFC star that has fought this year.

This story originally appeared on The Sun and has been reproduced here with permission.