Floyd Mayweather Net Worth, Projected Berto Purse Earnings and Fight Predictions
There are many things Floyd Mayweather Jr. has accomplished in his storied boxing career, but perhaps nothing the undefeated champion has done compares to the money he's earned.
Heading into Saturday night's showdown against Andre Berto, Mayweather was Forbes' highest-paid athlete and celebrity from the summer of 2014 through June 29, 2015 with approximately $300 million made in the 12-month span.
More impressive than the total earnings Mayweather brought in is how far ahead he was from the previous record for an athlete, with a bulk of the gross coming from his May bout against Manny Pacquiao:
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"Mayweather's $300 million year shatters the record for athlete earnings, which was previously held by Tiger Woods who banked $115 million in 2008. Mayweather's May 2 fight against Manny Pacquiao crushed multiple boxing financial records, including PPV buys (4.4 million), total gate ($73 million) and sponsorships ($13 million).
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In order to determine Mayweather's present total net worth, Martin Domin of the Daily Mail estimated before the Pacquiao fight that "Money" had earned $400 million in his career.
Now, ESPN.com's Dan Rafael and Darren Rovell reported in July that Mayweather brought in "at least" $220 million from his bout with Pacquiao. Simple math brings his career earnings and net worth through 48 career fights to approximately $620 million.
Projected Payout vs. Berto
Even though Mayweather's fight with Berto won't bring him anywhere close to the earnings he got in May, he's hardly going to be crying poverty for what could be the final 36 minutes of his boxing career.
According to ESPN.com's Dan Rafael, one reason Saturday's fight isn't taking place on CBS—as Michael Woods of The Sweet Science reported was in the works—is because the network would have a hard time selling enough advertising to cover "what is likely to be a purse of at least $35 million for Mayweather."
The actual purse for Mayweather is at least $32 million, with Berto getting $4 million, per Rafael. Those figures don't include money from sponsors, ticket sales and pay-per-view revenue.
That approximate total would put Mayweather's payout in line with what he made in two fights against Marcos Maidana in 2014 and Robert Guerrero in 2013:
| Marcos Maidana (September 2014) | 925,000 | $32 million |
| Marcos Maidana (May 2014) | 900,000 | $32 million |
| Saul Alvarez (September 2013) | 2.2 million | $41.5 million |
| Robert Guerrero (May 2013) | Approx. 1 million | $32 million |
| Miguel Cotto (May 2012) | 1.5 million | $32 million |
Looking at those pay-per-view numbers, it's easy to see why Mayweather finally decided to fight Pacquiao earlier this year. His star power may be as strong as ever, but the lack of big-name competition saw him fall below the one-million buy-rate for both fights against Maidana.
That trend will likely continue against Berto, as the general consensus around Mayweather's choice of opponent was one of disappointment.
Here's what Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports wrote after the bout was officially announced:
"If the best possible fight was sought, Berto would need a ticket to get in. Keith Thurman is one of boxing's most exciting young fighters. He is unbeaten, holds a welterweight championship, and is managed by Al Haymon, the same man who directs Mayweather's career. That fight should have been easy to make.
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How he settled on Berto is anybody's guess. And no one can reasonably argue that Berto did anything to earn this bout, unless you consider victories over unheralded Steve Upsher Chambers and Josesito Lopez in his last two fights as earning a match with the greatest fighter of his time.
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Las Vegas is even having trouble moving tickets for the bout, as ESPN.com's Darren Rovell reported on Tuesday there were over 2,100 seats still available through Ticketmaster and that resale site Stubhub was drawing more business for Anthony Joshua vs. Gary Cornish in London.
That does impact the bottom line for both fighters, as the number of pay-per-view buys is a key factor in determining the total amount paid out.
The baseline for recent Mayweather fights has been set at 900,000 against Maidana in May 2014. It will be interesting to see if the tepid—at best—reaction to his bout with Pacquiao and lack of enthusiasm around Berto as an opponent will turn off viewers like it appears to have done with ticket buyers.
Of course, there's always the marketing of a fight that can sell it. Mayweather has said his plan is to retire after honoring his six-fight contract with Showtime, which ends after this bout.
While it's easy to be skeptical of any retirement in boxing, the fact Mayweather has gone on record with his "plan" does provide an easy marketing device for everyone in his camp to get behind and drum up interest.
Fight Prediction
Even if Berto weren't coming into this fight with a pedestrian 3-3 record in his last six fights, it would be foolish to predict anything other than a Mayweather victory.
Oddsmakers are all over "Pretty Boy" in this bout, as OddsShark.com has him listed as a -3000 favorite to defeat Berto. That would make for a spectacular payout if an upset happens, but don't count on it.
Another problem is Berto is clearly out of his league against Mayweather, as Rafael noted on ESPN.com:
"Well, that is unless going 3-3 in his last six fights, including getting knocked out by journeyman Jesus Soto Karass, losing decisions to two guys, Robert Guerrero and Victor Ortiz, that Mayweather beat easily in recent years and getting suspended for testing positive for steroids, warrants a fight with the best in the business.
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Mayweather can fall out of bed and beat Berto, but the 38-year-old will put more effort into the fight as he seeks to end 2015 on a high note after the backlash from his previous bout.
The real story from this bout will be if Mayweather is able to end a fight for the first time in four years. He's not obsessed with how wins come, just that the referee raises his hand at the end of 12 rounds. It's worked to perfection for years, making him a lot of money in the process.
Now, as Mayweather steps into the ring with an opponent clearly inferior to him, this is his best chance to end a fight in grand fashion.
Recent history suggests it won't happen, so let's just say Mayweather ends his commitment to Showtime with a 49-0 career record.
Mayweather wins via unanimous decision
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