Canelo Alvarez goes for the billion dollars

Canelo Álvarez has just defeated Christian Mbilli in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), in a fight that has been quite delicate logistically because of its location. The attacks by Yemen’s Houthi militias on the Saudi capital have already left more than a dozen dead, and prudence suggested moving the event to another country. However, Canelo’s presence in Riyadh headlining a sporting event of global significance was important for the image of normality that the host country wants to project .

At stake for Canelo was his legacy—he becomes super middleweight world champion again—and an astronomical purse. As a base, the fighter from Guadalajara is guaranteed 47 million dollars, but the figure could shoot up to 100 million depending on various bonuses. By contrast, this figure stands in contrast to what Mbilli receives, who only has 9 million guaranteed , although he will also get a share of the additional profits, according to factors such as gate receipts or PPV sales.

Curiously, Álvarez's last fight, although it ended in a defeat against Crawfrod, earned him about 150 million dollars (he had more than 100 million guaranteed from the outset). It is estimated that the Mexican's four-fight contract with Riyadh Season entails 400 million guaranteed . Canelo's presence in Riyadh at such difficult times for Saudi Arabia will undoubtedly earn him the favor of the promoter and minister Turki Alalshikh , but it was also a bout that had been agreed to in that country and withdrawing from this fight would have been a contractual problem .

Let us remember that at the time the Mexican signed with DAZN for 365 million dollars guaranteed for 11 fights over a 5-year period, but that agreement ended prematurely after the boxer split with his promoter Golden Boy. However, that has allowed the Guadalajara native to sign shorter but more lucrative contracts with various promoters. According to Sportico, Canelo is on course for 760 million dollars in earnings from fight purses and sponsorships over his 20-year professional career .

Many question why Canelo is still going strong in such a dangerous profession when he has already achieved so much. For now, the risk still seems worth it because he is making more money than ever and continues to perform at a high level. The Mexican says he feels fresh and revitalized, better than he has in a long time, after undergoing elbow surgery that had caused him problems for a long time, and confirms that he still has three or four fights left . At 36 he is not old yet, but it is true that he is a fighter with many rounds under his belt.

Canelo is the last superstar in boxing, who picked up the torch that Floyd Mayweather was holding . For the moment, and despite his defeat against Crawford, he is not handing it over because he is a champion again and is breaking earnings records. If at some point his path crosses with that of a UFC fighter or similar, then we will know that he is beating a retreat.

These are the billionaires of sports

By the time he ends his career, the Mexican will most likely have already joined the select club of athletes who have earned one billion dollars (1,000 million) and, even more difficult, those who have achieved it while still active . The list these days is made up, in order of net worth, of Michael Jordan (3.5-4.7 B), Ion Tiriac (2.3-2.4 B), Tiger Woods (1.3-1.5 B), Lebron James (1.2-1.4 B), Cristiano Ronaldo (1.2-1.24 B), Magic Johnson (1.2-1.6 B), Lionel Messi (1-1.5 B), Floyd Mayweather (1.08 B) , David Beckham (1 B) and Roger Federer (0.95-1.1 B)