Undefeated boxing champion Terence Crawford has sparked conversation in combat sports circles by pointing out the significant pay gap between boxing and mixed martial arts competitors.
Crawford, known for his analytical approach both inside and outside the ring, recently compared the earnings of athletes across both sports, suggesting that boxing’s compensation structure offers greater financial rewards throughout all levels of competition.
“Boxers get paid more than MMA as a whole. Like, it’s no comparison,” Crawford stated in appearance on a podcast hosted by Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo. While acknowledging the perception that only top-tier boxers command massive paydays, he emphasized that the disparity exists at all levels of the sports.
The champion specifically referenced recent high-profile MMA events at Las Vegas’ new Sphere venue, where main event fighters reportedly earned in the low millions. “You’ll see a guy headlining at the Sphere. They probably be getting a couple of million dollars,” Crawford noted.
However, according to Crawford, this pales in comparison to what boxers make even in supporting roles on major cards. “But you’ll see a guy on the undercard of a big show probably making more money than that guy,” he added.
The comments come as Sean O’Malley, one of UFC’s rising stars, headlined the promotion’s debut at the Sphere earlier this year. While exact purse figures for that event remain undisclosed, Crawford’s assessment suggests that mid-tier boxers on premium cards may out-earn even headline MMA fighters.
This financial disparity has been a long-standing point of contention between the two combat sports, with boxing’s established pay-per-view model and lengthy history typically generating larger purses than the relatively younger MMA industry.
Industry analysts note that while top UFC stars can earn significant amounts through performance bonuses and sponsorship deals, boxing’s decentralized structure often allows fighters greater negotiating power when arranging bout agreements.
