Discover how much undercard boxers get paid, with real examples, average purse ranges, and the key factors that influence boxing fighter earnings.
Introduction
The multimillion dollar salaries of boxing champions and boxers you see on your television screen can attract fans quickly. But how about the boxers on the undercard? These boxers will prepare the crowd before the main event and before you know it – they are fighting in the ring. This article will discuss the undercard pay for boxers, the factors that affect it, real-world examples, and the implications for aspiring fighters.
What Is the Undercard?
In a boxing event, the term undercard refers to all fights that happen before the main fight (and maybe the co main fight). The undercard can include prospects, contenders, and supporting fighters. Even though these bouts often lack the spotlight and recognition as the main event, undercard boxers are an integral part of building interest in the event and getting fans engaged.
Typical Pay for Undercard Boxers
The reality? It varies dramatically. According to one source: entry-level fighters may earn $1,000 to $4,000 per fight for early undercard bouts.
Additional perspective indicates that the average professional boxer takes home about $8,000 per fight, which is based on what is labeled a medium-tier event, assuming they fight multiple times during the calendar year.
For undercard bouts (especially on major events), a commentator (Jake Paul, who is also a fighter) gave a range of $40,000 to $1.5 million, depending on name, events, and drawing power.
| Level of Undercard Bout | Approximate Purse* |
| Early career / local undercard | $1,000 – $4,000 |
| Mid-tier undercard (major card, but not big name) | $10,000 – $50,000 or more |
| High-profile undercard (on big PPV event, known fighter) | $100,000s up to $1 million+ |
*These are estimates; actual take-home is less after expenses, taxes, team cut etc.
Real-World Examples
For the event headlined by Joe Joyce against Joe Hanks on the undercard of the Wilder-Fury PPV, Joyce was purported to earn $40,000 and Hanks approximately $50,000.
In a larger undercard on the Marcus Browne versus Badou Jack fight, Browne had a purse of $250,000 and Jack’s purse was $500,000.
At the lesser-level: in the 1997 women’s undercard bout of Christy Martin vs Deirdre Gogarty, Martin made $15,000 and Gogarty earned $3,000.
What Determines Undercard Payouts?
Multiple factors affect how much a boxer on the undercard can earn:
- Name value & draw: The more a fighter can draw fans or PPV buys, the higher the pay.
- Promoter & event scale: Big-league promoters, large venues, global broadcast = more revenue pool.
- Television/PPV status: Fighters on televised/PPV undercards likely get higher purses.
- Classification and title implications: More pay is typically given in undercard fights when a title or contender is involved.
- The way a negotiation and contract is structured: A guaranteed purse with a percentage of pay-per-view and sponsors can enhance your potential to earn.
- Geography and market: Events in the US or UK or huge markets often pay more compared to a smaller regional promotion.
- Expenses and team cut; a boxer’s hosted purse is not all profit. You have trainer fees, managers, gym fees, travel costs, and taxes which quickly take away your bankable purse.
Take-Home Realities & Hidden Costs
Even if a boxer is quoted $40,000 or $100,000 for an undercard bout, that figure isn’t the net earnings. Common deductions:
- Manager fees (often ~10-20%)
- Trainer/camp expenses
- Travel, accommodation, sparring partner costs
- Taxes and licensing fees
- No guaranteed number of fights – fewer fights = less total annual income
One forum discussion notes:
“So half the purse is usually gone even before taxes.”
Thus, even a “$50k purse” might result in significantly less actual take-home
Why Some Undercard Boxers Earn So LITTLE?
Most are new to their careers, and their name value and fan following are non-existent. Promoters regularly have them “pay their dues” with exposure instead of pay.
Small local shows with a smaller live audience produce less revenue, which leads to a smaller purse pool. Some bouts are also offered on short notice, or are used as “opponents” for prospects, so their negotiating power is diminished.
Trends & Shifts in Undercard Payouts
There has been a recent push for major events to offer better undercard pay. For instance, undercard fighters at the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford card were given $100,000 undercard bonuses for “Performance of the Night” and “Fight of the Night,” respectively.
Undercards are no longer only “small pay” battles, as high-profile undercards are now occasionally paying middle six-figure sums.
What This Means For Aspiring Undercard Boxers?
Exposure continues to be important: Performing on a short card can help you build momentum around your career beyond simply what you will earn for the fight.
Developing your fan base and personal brand is likely going to assist you in increasing your future earnings. Understanding contract terms and cost deductions in negotiations is imperative.
Even undercards require heavy financial investment in training and camp expenses, so consider your costs and balance your finances.
Consider the contrast between a regional/local show and a spot on a big card show; these shows generally pay more, but they are also more demanding with stiffer competition and expectations that come with that.
Summary
The answer to the headline question, “How much do boxers get paid on the undercard?” is that it depends a lot. While well-placed undercard fighters on major events may earn tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, and in rare instances, seven figures, early career undercard fighters may only make a few thousand dollars. However, this is the exception rather than the rule. The most important lesson learned is that undercard pay varies greatly and is primarily determined by exposure, event size, fighter profile, and negotiation.
