If you’re looking for a boxing ring tonight, you won't find Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez in it. Despite the rumors swirling around social media, the Mexican superstar is actually in the middle of a massive career pivot.
Honestly, the question of how much money is Canelo making tonight isn't about a single fight purse on this specific January evening. It’s about the massive $137 million waterfall he’s sitting under right now. Just a few days ago, reports from Sportico confirmed that Canelo has officially become the second highest-paid athlete in the world, even jumping over Lionel Messi.
Think about that for a second. A boxer who lost his last fight and just had elbow surgery is out-earning the greatest soccer player on earth.
The $400 Million Saudi Connection
So, why are people asking about his earnings right now? Because on January 15, 2026, Turki Alalshikh basically broke the internet by announcing Canelo’s return date. While he isn't fighting tonight, his bank account is still growing at a rate that would make most CEOs dizzy.
The money coming in right now is part of a staggering deal with Riyadh Season. Most insiders peg the total value at roughly $400 million for a multi-fight stretch. Even when he’s sitting on his couch in Guadalajara recovering from surgery, the guarantees and sponsorship checks from brands like Hennessy and Anheuser-Busch keep the "Canelo" machine humming.
Why the numbers look different in 2026
Early 2026 has been a wild ride for the business side of boxing. Canelo isn't just a fighter anymore; he’s a promoter. The "Mexico Against the World" event announced for September 12, 2026, marks the launch of Canelo Promotions.
💡 You might also like: Cómo entender la tabla de Copa Oro y por qué los puntos no siempre cuentan la historia completa
This is where the real money is.
Instead of just taking a flat fee of $35 million or $50 million, Canelo is now positioning himself to take a cut of the entire event. We’re talking:
- Gate receipts from the venue in Riyadh.
- A massive slice of the global PPV revenue.
- Sponsorship deals that he owns directly through his own company.
- Co-promotion fees for the undercard fighters.
How much money is Canelo making tonight compared to his last fight?
To understand the scale of his current wealth, you have to look back at the September 2025 clash with Terence Crawford. Even though Crawford walked away with the belts and the "W," Canelo walked away with the bag.
Reports suggest he cleared between $100 million and $150 million for that single night at Allegiant Stadium. It was a career-high payday. Crawford, by comparison, reportedly took home around $10 million—a massive sum for most, but basically "walking around money" for Saúl.
Right now, in January 2026, he’s still burning through the interest on that payday while preparing for an even bigger 2026. The Sportico data shows that $125 million of his recent $137 million haul came directly from "athletic pay." That means fight purses and bonuses. The other $12 million? Purely from his brand.
📖 Related: Ohio State Football All White Uniforms: Why the Icy Look Always Sparks a Debate
The injury factor
You've probably heard about the elbow surgery he had in October 2025. Usually, an injury means a stop in cash flow for an athlete. Not here. Because his brand is so massive, his value has actually increased during the downtime. The anticipation for his September 2026 comeback is driving up the bidding for the remaining two fights on his Riyadh contract.
What most people get wrong about Canelo's wealth
Most fans think a boxer only makes money on the night they step into the ring. That’s old-school thinking. In 2026, Canelo is a diversified conglomerate.
He owns Canelo Energy, a chain of gas stations in Mexico that is expanding rapidly. He has his own clothing line and a fitness app. When you ask "how much money is Canelo making tonight," you're really asking about the daily revenue of a man who has successfully turned his left hook into a global investment portfolio.
He’s on track to become the first billionaire boxer. Floyd Mayweather claimed to be there, but Canelo’s path is through equity and ownership, not just "money" bags in a strip club.
The September 12 "Surprise"
There’s a lot of talk about who he fights next. Whether it's a rematch with Crawford or a clash with someone like Christian Mbilli or Hamzah Sheeraz, the purse is going to be astronomical. Alalshikh has already promised a "big, big, big fight" for the Riyadh debut of Canelo Promotions.
👉 See also: Who Won the Golf Tournament This Weekend: Richard T. Lee and the 2026 Season Kickoff
If he secures a world title shot in Riyadh, the Saudi government is expected to front a guarantee that could exceed $100 million before a single PPV is sold.
Actionable insights for fans following the money
If you're tracking the financial side of the sport, keep an eye on these specific milestones over the next few months:
- Watch the "Mexico Against the World" lineup: Since this is the debut of Canelo Promotions, the success of the undercard will tell us if Canelo can make money as a businessman, not just a brawler.
- Monitor the 168-lb belts: Crawford's retirement (or potential return) shifts the leverage. If Canelo fights for a vacant title, the "champion's share" of the revenue increases.
- The Sportico 2026 year-end list: He’s currently #2 behind Cristiano Ronaldo. If his September fight breaks PPV records, he could potentially challenge for the #1 spot by December.
The bottom line is that Canelo Alvarez isn't fighting tonight, but he's still winning the financial war. He has successfully decoupled his bank account from the win-loss column. Whether he wins his next fight or gets knocked out, the $137 million-per-year trajectory isn't slowing down anytime soon.
For those looking to attend the September return, tickets are expected to go on sale in late spring 2026, with Riyadh Season expected to offer "travel packages" that include luxury accommodations and ringside seats—another revenue stream Canelo likely has a piece of.