Mayweather vs. Canelo Prize Money: Complete Earnings for Both Stars

Fight fans got their money's worth on Saturday night. Now that money will be flowing into the bank accounts of Floyd Mayweather and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez.

The two elite fighters put on the most lucrative boxing match in history, which Mayweather eventually won by majority decision (114-114, 116-112, 117-111). Although someone had to lose, both men should be considered financial winners.

Mayweather, who keeps breaking his own records for most money earned by a fighter, pulled in a ridiculous purse of $41.5 million. Alvarez, on the other hand, had to settle for a "measly" $12 million, according to ESPN's Dan Rafael.

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Contracts are filed w/ NSAC. Canelo making $5M on fight night, but it's misleading. Guaranteed WAY more from PPV. I'm told $12M. #TheOne

— Dan Rafael (@danrafaelespn) September 11, 2013"

Either way, that's a lot of coin.

And if you look beyond those numbers, this fight produced even more money for its stars. 

Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions, told Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports that Mayweather could potentially earn nine figures from the fight when all is accounted for.

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"Listen, if this fight goes through the roof, Floyd Mayweather could make $100 million in this fight as sure as we're standing here talking," Ellerbe said.

 

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Ellerbe wouldn't delve into specifics, but even if he embellished that figure, it's still pretty damn impressive. To put that number in perspective, it's nearly double what Oscar De La Hoya earned when he and Mayweather fought in 2007.

The sheer magnitude of the financial numbers are even crazier when you consider the state of the sport.

As a whole, boxing is essentially dead in America. But as Mayweather and Canelo proved on Saturday, fight fans will still give up the big bucks for a true marquee matchup.