In boxing, knockouts are decided inside the ring. But there are blows that don’t land with gloves on. They come in the form of numbers, recognition, and a guaranteed place among the elite of world sport. This time, Canelo Álvarez is back at the center of the conversation, not because of a recent fight, but because of an achievement that places him among the highest-paid athletes in the world, even when compared to Terence Crawford, though in a completely different arena.
The contrast arrives in a context where both have already shared the ring. Terence Crawford defeated Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez by unanimous decision on September 13, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. However, outside the ropes, the story takes a different turn: one defined by economic impact and global reach.
A place at the top of world sport
According to Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid athletes, Canelo Álvarez ranked second, with estimated earnings of 170 million dollars during the evaluated period. Most of that figure comes from fight purses, along with commercial deals and sponsorships.
Only Cristiano Ronaldo sits above him on the list, keeping the Mexican star within a very small group of athletes with sustained global influence. In that sense, his presence near the top is not new, but it once again draws attention for the consistency he maintains at that level.
And here, an inevitable question arises: do these rankings only speak about money, or also about the real weight an athlete carries in global sport?
Crawford on the other side of the comparison
Terence Crawford enters this conversation as part of the natural contrast the sport creates. His victory over Canelo in the ring left a significant mark on his career and on the narrative of their sporting rivalry, but in this specific scenario, the focus shifts.
Because while inside boxing results can change in a single night, on a global scale, staying at the top depends on something more constant: consistency, reach, and sustained presence over time. And in that space, Canelo continues to hold a privileged position.
The Forbes ranking reinforces that underlying idea: modern sport is no longer measured only by victories, but also by impact beyond competition.
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