Featherweight boxers salaries showcase the 126-pound division’s legendary earning potential. Manny Pacquiao earned $65 million at featherweight launching his historic career. Oscar De La Hoya made $28 million before moving up. Nick Ball commands $200,000 per WBA title defense.
The division produces boxing’s most exciting action fighters whose fan-friendly styles create pathways to bigger weight classes and nine-figure career earnings.
Check out the Featherweight Division boxers biography and net worth by clicking on their name.
| Name | Nationality | Net Worth |
| Rafael Espinoza Zepeda | Mexican | $1.5 million |
| Brandon Figueroa | American | $3 million |
| Nick Ball | British | $1.7 million |
| Stephen Fulton | American | $3 million |
| Angelo Leo | American | $2.5 million |
| Luis Alberto Lopez | Mexican | $2 million |
| Rey Vargas | Mexican | $6 million |
| Evgeny Gradovich | Russian | $1-2 million |
| Can Xu | Chinese | $1-2 million |
| Jhonny González | Mexican | $5 million |
| Don Moore | American | $5-10 million |
10 Highest Paid Boxers in Featherweight Division Ranked
Featherweight creates boxing’s ultimate springboard where elite champions leverage 126-pound success into larger weight class opportunities that multiply earning potential exponentially through sustained excellence.
| Rank | Boxer | Net Worth | Career Earnings | Active/Retired | World Titles |
| 1 | Manny Pacquiao | $240M | $65M | Active | Featherweight Champion |
| 2 | Oscar De La Hoya | $200M | $28M | Retired | Featherweight Champion |
| 3 | Rey Vargas | $6M | $10M | Active | Former Champion |
| 4 | Nick Ball | $1.7M | $2M | Active | WBA Champion |
| 5 | Rafael Espinoza | $1M | $2M | Active | WBO Champion |
| 6 | Luis Alberto Lopez | $1M | $2.5M | Active | IBF Champion |
| 7 | Leigh Wood | $1M | $2M | Active | Former Champion |
| 8 | Robeisy Ramirez | $800K | $1.5M | Active | WBO Champion |
| 9 | Angelo Leo | $700K | $1.2M | Active | IBF Champion |
| 10 | Bruce Carrington | $500K | $800K | Active | Contender |
Manny Pacquiao built his foundation earning $65 million at featherweight. His $16 million Oscar De La Hoya victory occurred at 147 pounds, but his featherweight dominance from 2001-2008 created the platform for his $500 million career total.
Oscar De La Hoya accumulated $28 million at 126 pounds during his Olympic gold medal era. His $6 million guaranteed facing Pacquiao demonstrated his drawing power, though that bout occurred at welterweight.
Rey Vargas earned $10 million career total across multiple weight classes. His $500,000 purses as unified champion represent modern featherweight earning standards before moving to super featherweight.
Who Is the Highest Paid Featherweight Boxer?
Manny Pacquiao earned approximately $65 million fighting at featherweight during his formative championship years. His $3 million Juan Manuel Marquez victory and $10 million Erik Morales trilogy established featherweight’s financial ceiling before modern era.
Pacquiao’s featherweight success launched his legendary career. His 2008 Oscar De La Hoya fight paid $16 million including PPV shares, validating his featherweight dominance created foundation for welterweight mega-fights.
His strategic weight progression maximized earnings. Pacquiao earned $6 million guaranteed facing De La Hoya despite massive size disadvantage, proving featherweight excellence translates into crossover drawing power.
Featherweight Earnings Growth Analysis
| Boxer | 2020 Net Worth | 2023 Net Worth | 2025 Net Worth | Growth % | Key Income Sources |
| Nick Ball | $100K | $800K | $1.7M | 1600% | WBA title reign, UK market appeal |
| Rey Vargas | $4M | $5M | $6M | 50% | Multiple division titles, consistent activity |
| Rafael Espinoza | $200K | $600K | $1M | 400% | WBO championship, unique physical advantages |
| Luis Alberto Lopez | $300K | $700K | $1M | 233% | IBF title defenses, Mexican fanbase |
Nick Ball’s 1600% growth represents modern featherweight’s fastest wealth accumulation. His WBA championship victory transformed his earnings from $50,000 purses to $200,000 title defenses within 18 months.
Rafael Espinoza quintupled wealth through his towering 6-foot-1 frame at featherweight. His physical advantages create unique marketability, with his $150,000-300,000 purses exceeding typical champion rates.
Luis Alberto Lopez tripled net worth becoming IBF champion. His Mexican heritage drives strong fanbase support, maintaining consistent $150,000-250,000 purses despite competitive division depth.
Current Featherweight Champion Purses
Nick Ball earns $200,000-300,000 as WBA champion. His UK market strength drives premium purses through Matchroom Boxing’s promotional investment in British champions.
Rafael Espinoza commands $150,000-300,000 per WBO defense. His unique 6-foot-1 height creates novelty appeal that attracts casual fans and boosts earning potential.
Luis Alberto Lopez makes $150,000-250,000 as IBF champion. His consistent activity and Mexican fanbase maintain steady purses though unification bouts could triple earnings.
Historic Featherweight Purses
Manny Pacquiao’s $16 million Oscar De La Hoya payday stands as the largest purse earned by former featherweight champion. Though occurring at welterweight, his 126-pound dominance created the platform.
Oscar De La Hoya earned $20 million facing Pacquiao with $6 million going to Manny. The 68-32 revenue split favored De La Hoya but Pacquiao’s $16 million total including PPV shares launched his superstar trajectory.
Rey Vargas made $500,000 per title defense as unified champion. His consistent earning power at 126 pounds demonstrated modern featherweight champions command six-figure purses.
Leigh Wood earned estimated $300,000-500,000 defeating Mauricio Lara for the WBA title. UK venue economics boost British champions’ earning potential significantly.
FAQs
How much did Manny Pacquiao make at featherweight?
Manny Pacquiao earned approximately $65 million at featherweight from 2001-2008. His division dominance created the platform for his eventual $500 million career total.
What’s Nick Ball’s net worth?
Nick Ball has approximately $1.7 million net worth with $2 million career earnings. His WBA championship transformed his purses from $50,000 to $200,000-300,000 per defense.
How much do featherweight champions make per fight?
Current featherweight champions earn $150,000-300,000 per title defense. Nick Ball and Rafael Espinoza command premium purses through unique marketability factors.
Did Oscar De La Hoya fight at featherweight?
Yes, Oscar De La Hoya earned approximately $28 million at featherweight early in his career. His Olympic gold medal platform launched his six-division championship run.
