Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford purses: Who really got paid in the historic undisputed fight

Record-setting night, record-setting money

A 36-year-old from Omaha just beat boxing’s biggest box-office star and made history doing it. Terence Crawford outpointed Canelo Alvarez by unanimous decision to become the undisputed super middleweight champion, the first man ever to be undisputed in three weight classes. The victory caps a run that already included undisputed titles at 140 and 147 pounds, and it came on a night that also produced one of the richest paydays boxing has seen.

The financial split? Lopsided on paper. Before fight week, the industry chatter put Canelo’s guarantee between $100 million and $150 million. UFC CEO Dana White, part of TKO’s promotional push around the event, told Vegas PBS that Alvarez was “probably” walking away with at least $100 million. Nevada no longer publishes official purses, so the exact number won’t be on a commission sheet. But the figure lines up with Canelo’s long-established status as the sport’s top seller.

Crawford, meanwhile, said on a podcast that he took $10 million to make the fight. “I’m doing it for the opportunity, baby,” he said. “The legacy outweighs the money.” That kind of gap isn’t unheard of when a dominant champion meets the A-side pay-per-view attraction. Crawford bet on himself, moved up to 168, and left with the belts—and a bigger market value than he had 24 hours earlier.

Both fighters will likely earn more than their stated guarantees. Elite boxing contracts often include slices of pay-per-view revenue, international broadcast money, and backend bonuses. The precise split is private, but the framework is familiar: the bigger drawing card (here, Alvarez) typically takes the larger share of the upside. For context, Mayweather–Pacquiao generated well over half a billion dollars in total revenue in 2015. This event was not that level, but it was treated as a tentpole show with a global footprint.

What pushed the totals so high? Star power, timing, and a crossover marketing engine. Alvarez brings a decade of main-event consistency, a loyal fan base that travels and buys pay-per-views, and corporate sponsors that follow him wherever he fights. TKO’s involvement added muscle on the promotional side, placing the event in front of audiences that don’t always track boxing week to week. When those worlds meet, guarantees inflate—and the A-side cashes in.

Inside the split and what comes next

The money disparity comes down to leverage. Alvarez arrived as the lineal attraction at 168, the champion with multiple belts and a resume that already headlined many of the richest nights of the past decade. Crawford was the challenger, despite being one of the most skilled fighters alive. Moving up to super middleweight for undisputed status was the pitch of a lifetime; to make it happen, Crawford accepted less upfront money. That’s how big fights often get done.

Here’s how the revenue pie usually looks at this level:

• Guaranteed purses: The contracted baseline each fighter receives, regardless of sales.
• Pay-per-view upside: Percentage shares that kick in after certain thresholds.
• Live gate and site fee: Arena receipts and, in some cases, a fee from the host city or venue partner.
• International and digital rights: Broadcasters outside the U.S., plus streaming carriage.
• Sponsorship and branding: Ring canvas, corner pads, fighter endorsements, and shoulder programming.

Because Nevada keeps contracts confidential, reliable numbers now come from on-the-record comments, promoter guidance, and post-event financial reporting. White’s “at least $100 million” remark for Alvarez is the clearest public marker. On Crawford’s side, his self-reported $10 million guarantee sets the floor. What we don’t know: the exact PPV splits, the tiered escalators, and how big the backend will be after all bills and fees come due.

Does that matter after Saturday? For Crawford’s legacy, not much. He’s now 42-0 with 31 knockouts, the first male boxer to sweep all four belts in three divisions. His estimated net worth climbed toward $30 million with this win, and his negotiating power jumped in lockstep. Expect bigger guarantees going forward, a fatter cut of the upside, and a line of would-be challengers forming fast.

For Alvarez, the defeat stings, but his market position is intact. Taking home nine figures on a loss underscores his drawing power. He remains one of boxing’s safest bets to sell out arenas, headline PPV, and command premium sponsorships. Depending on contractual terms, he could still earn additional backend money from this event, too.

The next few months will turn to mandatories, sanctioning body calendars, and the politics that come with holding all four belts. That usually means a juggling act: broadcaster interests, promoter schedules, and the champion’s own priorities. Whether Crawford pursues immediate blockbusters or fulfills obligations first, he’ll be doing it from a position that pairs star status with undisputed leverage.

Key takeaways from the night:

• Crawford beat Alvarez by unanimous decision to become undisputed at 168.
• Alvarez’s guarantee was widely reported in the $100–$150 million range; White said “at least $100 million.”
• Crawford said he accepted a $10 million guarantee, prioritizing legacy over upfront cash.
• Crawford improved to 42-0 (31 KOs) and, at 36, added a third undisputed division to his career.

The business of boxing is rarely neat, but Saturday was simple in one way: the star who took the smaller check left with all the belts. The rest—the PPV math, the backend splits, and the final tallies—will shake out behind closed doors. The impact on careers is already plain.