Floyd Mayweather Net Worth: Analyzing Money's Status Heading into Pacquiao Fight

Floyd Mayweather Jr. didn't need to take on the long-awaited, highly anticipated fight with Manny Pacquiao for financial reasons. He's already one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. Saturday's massive payday certainly doesn't hurt, though.

Brian Warner of Celebrity Net Worth reports the undefeated American boxer currently sports a net worth of approximately $280 million. The outlet pegs his total career earnings at around $410 million, including $72 million for his two recent fights with Marcos Maidana.

The Richest also lists Mayweather at $280 million, the highest among active fighters. It's more than double that of Pacquiao, who's listed at $132 million. The only boxing personality listed higher than "Money" is Michael Buffer at $400 million.

His status was bolstered by a monster year that earned him $105 million and placed him atop Forbes' highest-paid athletes list for 2014. The number was $25 million higher than Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who finished second in the ranking.

Although Mayweather makes a boatload of cash every single time he steps in the ring, the motivation that provides may be starting to fade.

David Mayo of MLive.com passed along comments from the Michigan native. He said the focus has shifted over the years to other factors, mainly his children.

"When you're young, you look at everything like you want nice cars, you want jewelry, you want a big house," Mayweather said. "But once you've been living like that for so long, it's not really about that anymore. It's about my children, the legacy, them getting the best education. That's what's mainly important to me. I don't worry about the fight because I know what I can do and I know what I bring to the table."

That said, even he should be excited about the payday that's on the horizon.

John Branch of the New York Times reports the final numbers won't be known until all the revenue is tabulated following the fight. Yet, he notes current projections have the fighters splitting $300 million and Mayweather getting 60 percent of the total ($180 million).

Leonard Ellerbe of Mayweather Promotions didn't have exact numbers but told the outlet Money's first check would be for more than $50 million with plenty more to come.

"I will tell you this," Ellerbe said. "Floyd Mayweather's check will be a lot more than $50 million. And then it goes from there."

It's mind-boggling to think about making that much money for a fight that will last 36 minutes or less. Above all else, it shows boxing can still be an extremely lucrative sport when star power combines with a fight people want to see.

Win, lose or draw, Mayweather will likely top all the lists for highest-paid athletes once again in 2015.