Cruiserweight boxers salaries prove the 200-pound division creates millionaires. Oleksandr Usyk earned $45 million as undisputed cruiserweight champion. Tony Bellew banked $15 million including his division-record $4 million Usyk payday. David Haye made $20 million before heavyweight stardom.
The division serves as boxing’s ultimate proving ground where champions build seven-figure fortunes before moving to heavyweight for mega-purses.
Learn more about the Cruiserweight Division boxers biography and net worth by clicking on their name.
| Name | Nationality | Net Worth |
| Jai Opetaia | Australian | $3 million |
| Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez | Mexican | $3 million |
| Chris Billam-Smith | British | $2.5 million |
10 Highest Paid Boxers in Cruiserweight Division Ranked
Cruiserweight produces champions who leverage undisputed status into heavyweight opportunities, using 200-pound success as financial springboards toward eight-figure careers at higher weights.
| Rank | Boxer | Net Worth | Career Earnings | Active/Retired | World Titles |
| 1 | Evander Holyfield | $10M | $45M | Retired | Undisputed Cruiserweight |
| 2 | Oleksandr Usyk | $165M | $45M | Active | Undisputed Cruiserweight |
| 3 | David Haye | $25M | $20M | Retired | WBA/WBC/WBO Champion |
| 4 | Roy Jones Jr | $10M | $18M | Retired | WBC Champion |
| 5 | Tony Bellew | $12M | $15M | Retired | WBC Champion |
| 6 | Gilberto Ramirez | $8M | $8M | Active | WBA/WBO Champion |
| 7 | Jai Opetaia | $3M | $3M | Active | IBF Champion |
| 8 | Chris Billam-Smith | $2M | $2M | Active | WBO Champion |
| 9 | Marco Huck | $5M | $12M | Retired | WBO Champion |
| 10 | Johnny Nelson | $3M | $5M | Retired | WBO Champion |
Evander Holyfield built his foundation earning $45 million at cruiserweight before his $230 million heavyweight career. His undisputed cruiserweight dominance created the blueprint for moving up to maximum earning potential.
Oleksandr Usyk earned approximately $45 million across his cruiserweight reign. His $750,000 Tony Bellew knockout represented the division’s peak purse, though his heavyweight move multiplied earnings by ten within three years.
Tony Bellew accumulated $15 million with his $4 million Usyk loss marking cruiserweight’s largest disclosed purse. His David Haye fights earned $2.5 million each despite occurring at heavyweight, showcasing crossover earning power.
Who Is the Highest Paid Cruiserweight Boxer?
Oleksandr Usyk earned approximately $45 million during his cruiserweight dominance before moving to heavyweight. His undisputed championship status commanded $370,000-$750,000 per defense, exponentially higher than typical cruiserweight purses.
Usyk’s $750,000 Tony Bellew victory in 2018 represented his cruiserweight peak. That Manchester event sold out instantly, proving elite cruiserweights can generate substantial PPV interest when marketed properly to UK audiences.
His rapid heavyweight transition proved financially brilliant. Within two years of leaving cruiserweight, Usyk earned $11.3 million defeating Anthony Joshua, nearly matching his entire cruiserweight career earnings in one fight.
Cruiserweight Earnings Growth Analysis
| Boxer | 2020 Net Worth | 2023 Net Worth | 2025 Net Worth | Growth % | Key Income Sources |
| Gilberto Ramirez | $3M | $6M | $8M | 167% | Super middleweight move, WBA/WBO titles |
| Jai Opetaia | $500K | $2M | $3M | 500% | IBF title reign, Australian market |
| Chris Billam-Smith | $800K | $1.5M | $2M | 150% | WBO championship, UK fanbase |
| Oleksandr Usyk | $20M | $100M | $165M | 725% | Heavyweight dominance post-cruiserweight |
Jai Opetaia’s 500% growth represents modern cruiserweight’s fastest wealth accumulation. His IBF title defenses command $300,000-$500,000 purses, substantial for the division though modest compared to heavyweight standards.
Gilberto Ramirez doubled his wealth moving from super middleweight to cruiserweight. His unified championship status projects $500,000-$1 million for unification bouts, particularly against Chris Billam-Smith.
Oleksandr Usyk’s explosive post-cruiserweight growth validates the division as a stepping stone. His heavyweight success generated $310 million since leaving 200 pounds, proving cruiserweight mastery opens maximum earning doors.
Current Cruiserweight Champion Pay
Jai Opetaia commands $300,000-$500,000 as IBF champion. His Australian dominance and unification potential with Gilberto Ramirez projects seven-figure purses if major promoters invest in global marketing.
Chris Billam-Smith earns estimated $300,000-$500,000 per WBO defense. He reportedly turned down “life-changing money” to fight Opetaia early, suggesting offers exceeded $1 million for unification bouts.
Gilberto Ramirez earned $300,000-$500,000 winning his cruiserweight titles. His WBA/WBO unification against Billam-Smith projects career-high purses potentially exceeding $1 million with proper PPV revenue.
Historic Cruiserweight Purses
Tony Bellew’s $4 million Oleksandr Usyk purse stands as cruiserweight’s largest disclosed payday. The Manchester event generated massive UK interest, proving the division can produce seven-figure purses with proper star power.
Oleksandr Usyk earned $750,000 in that same bout. His relatively modest purse compared to Bellew reflected his limited UK drawing power before heavyweight fame, though the victory launched his career trajectory exponentially.
David Haye commanded estimated $1 million purses during his cruiserweight championship reign. His crossover heavyweight fights inflated his total earnings, with cruiserweight providing the foundation for $25 million net worth.
Roy Jones Jr earned estimated $1.5 million moving to cruiserweight late career. His WBF title victory proved legends can command premium purses even in lower weight classes through established drawing power.
FAQs
How much did Usyk make at cruiserweight?
Oleksandr Usyk earned approximately $45 million during his undisputed cruiserweight reign. His biggest cruiserweight purse was $750,000 defeating Tony Bellew in 2018.
What was Tony Bellew’s biggest cruiserweight payday?
Tony Bellew earned $4 million losing to Oleksandr Usyk, cruiserweight boxing’s largest disclosed purse. His total cruiserweight earnings exceeded $6 million before retiring.
Do cruiserweight champions make millions per fight?
Current cruiserweight champions earn $300,000-$500,000 per defense. Unification bouts can reach $1 million, though only elite champions with strong promotional backing achieve seven-figure purses.
Why did Usyk leave cruiserweight for heavyweight?
Usyk moved to heavyweight seeking maximum earnings. His first heavyweight bout against Anthony Joshua paid $11.3 million, nearly matching his entire cruiserweight career in one fight.
