Bigger Cash Generator: AJ or Lennox?

[Mushashi]

Hard to gauge because the boxing market and its popularity has changed over the years and how we consume entertainment in general (low TV ratings, illegal streaming, online PPV) and the existence of social media also contributes to a fighter's value.

I'm guessing Lewis used to command $10,000,000+ paydays in 90's money and generated higher tv ratings than now too, in the USA at least, compared to Joshua.

Boxing is booming right now in the UK to the extent where the big names more often these days cross the pond to fight the Brit A-side. That didn't happen a lot before 2000 regarding credible names. The US has always been the Mecca of boxing.

I think they're about level right now and Joshua hasn't really got going yet. Let alone cementing a legacy. I think this has to do with the state of the game worldwide than Joshua's mass appeal.

[Big Ukrainian]

PPV split in both the UK and US, Gate etc.
He earned way more than 50m.

He earned $30m AT MOST. They had 50/50 split with Tyson, so if they both earned more than $50m each, it would be more than $100m. Lion's share of money was generated by US PPV (HBO and Showtime combined) and it generated $106.9m. Live gate was estimated as $17.5m, UK PPV - £11.212.500 (750.000 buys * £14.95 price) or $16.378.000 in USD. Overall revenue was $106.9m (US PPV) + $17.5 (live gate) + $16.4m (UK PPV) = $140.8m + about $10m in total from TV rights for others countries. So, overall revenue was about $150m. But TV channell ALWAYS get at least 50% of revenue, this time they had TWO channels to split. So, in the best scenario for the fighters revenue was divided in such way - fighters got 40%, HBO and Showtime got 30% each. Therefore fighters got $60m or $30m each. And it's in the absolutely best scenario, because I was probably too generous to think they got 40% (they probably got 33-35%).

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

He earned $30m AT MOST. They had 50/50 split with Tyson, so if they both earned more than $50m each, it would be more than $100m. Lion's share of money was generated by US PPV (HBO and Showtime combined) and it generated $106.9m. Live gate was estimated as $17.5m, UK PPV - £11.212.500 (750.000 buys * £14.95 price) or $16.378.000 in USD. Overall revenue was $106.9m (US PPV) + $17.5 (live gate) + $16.4m (UK PPV) = $140.8m + about $10m in total from TV rights for others countries. So, overall revenue was about $150m. But TV channell ALWAYS get at least 50% of revenue, this time they had TWO channels to split. So, in the best scenario for the fighters revenue was divided in such way - fighters got 40%, HBO and Showtime got 30% each. Therefore fight ers got $60m or $30m each. And it's in the absolutely best scenario, because I was probably too generous to think they got 40% (they probably got 33-35%).

You’re merely conjecturing here, a lot of those figures aren’t valid. You don’t know nor can predict the network splits, gate splits etc. There’s also no way 66% would solely go to just the TV networks either.
I’m absolutely convinced Lewis earned more than 50m that fight from US PPV, UK PPV, Gate and Purse. Factor in sponsorship and other stuff as well. There’s no way he made less than 50m

[GoldenGloveLove]

All I know is, even though I'm a fan of Joshua, when I first heard one of his paydays before Klitschko I was totally shocked he was making so much already. His star-power is for real.

[Jedi Vader]

Lewis made money bc of Tyson you dummy .


Lewis was fighting Billups ( yea whos that ? ) and BIGGS at the same stage Joshua was fighting KLITCHKO .


Take into account HOW Joshua is winning and in a social media era where he cant fight in places with much less than 70,000 ppl and would fill 150,000 EASILY no matter who he fights tells you who is the bigger $$$$$$ draw and his career hasnt even started yet , you fool !

Joshua has aready unified and is more easily marketable ,in what took Lewis NINE years to do ! Unlike you i was watching boxing before even Lewis was a name and he wasnt well recieved soon after his Ruddock fight . Thats WHY Tyson fought Holyfield instead bc Holyfield was the bigger draw and put Lewis on hold.


On top of all this Lewis fought McCall at the original Wembley Stadium in front of 7,000 ppl........thats more than 80,000 short of what Joshua did in the U.K isnt it ?


Another mind BOBBLING post on your part ! The only one as usual getting L's here is you .

Completely and utterly wrong. The first Lewis-McCall fight was held at the Wembley Arena which holds less than 10,000.

[sweeterscience]

Is this even a question?

I respect the hell out of Lewis and liked him even when he was perceived as the boring moderator of the after-Tyson era.

But Lewis was not a draw anywhere near Joshua. Joshua puts up attendance and ratings just in England that Lewis couldn't have done worldwide.

I don't like Joshua, but he's the biggest draw we've seen since the Tyson-Holyfield era ended.

[Big Ukrainian]

You’re merely conjecturing here, a lot of those figures aren’t valid. You don’t know nor can predict the network splits, gate splits etc. There’s also no way 66% would solely go to just the TV networks either.
I’m absolutely convinced Lewis earned more than 50m that fight from US PPV, UK PPV, Gate and Purse. Factor in sponsorship and other stuff as well. There’s no way he made less than 50m

Your claim is childish, it's based only on your admiration of Lewis. Mine is based on facts. Holyfield's and Tyson's combined purse in their rematch was $65m, and overall revenue was on the same level as in Lewis - Tyson fight. But mind here that in Holyfield - Tyson fight only one channell was involved (Showtime).

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

Your claim is childish, it's based only on your admiration of Lewis. Mine is based on facts. Holyfield's and Tyson's combined purse in their rematch was $65m, and overall revenue was on the same level as in Lewis - Tyson fight. But mind here that in Holyfield - Tyson fight only one channell was involved (Showtime).

Completely WRONG I actually dislike Lewis, and was never a fan of his, I always rooted against him.
Your claim is unsustainable and based on invalid figures NOT FACTS. You’re claims about TV network percentage’s are based on what exactly? You’re own unqualified opinion.😂😂
We’re done here.

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

Completely and utterly wrong. The first Lewis-McCall fight was held at the Wembley Arena which holds less than 10,000.

Juggernonce takes another L😂😂😂😂
What a clown 🤡 🤡

[Rubber Ducky]

In the UK Joshua is a far bigger draw than Lewis ever was, Lewis was always 2nd in British fans hearts after Bruno. Bruno was more down to earth, seen as a true Brit, while Lewis boxed for Canada and was a bit aloof.

But when you include US TV money he was a good earner for Lewis/Bruno, Lewis earned $8mill which in today's money accounting for inflation would be about £15.76 mill or $21.7 mill. Lewis also earned $9.15 for his fight with Tucker which is $18 mill in todays money. So when Lewis had access to US cable TV money then he was earning large sums like Joshua.

But after the loss to McCall his purses nose dived, he made $2 mill for the McCall rematch,which is about $3mill in today's money. But he earned $15 mill vs Holyfied which is equivalent to $24.5 mill in today's money. Lewis got $7.5 mill for the Grant fight or $12.15 mill into today's money.

Suffice to say I think currently Joshua is a bigger draw in regards to average fight, the PPV market in the UK now is far bigger than in Lewis' time and there has never been a draw in the UK like Joshua, so Joshua can earn more money per fight than Lewis could for an average fight.

But Lewis had bigger name opponents to make big purses from. He was guaranteed $26.6 mill in today's money for the Tyson fight. Was offered $30 mill for a Vitali rematch which would be like $43 mill in today's money. Joshua doesn't have any big, big draws in the current division that could earn him much more than he currently does. That is of course unless he breaks the US market, if he becomes a star in the US then he could be making at least doubt what he is now.