In a groundbreaking moment for women’s boxing, Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano each earned seven-figure paydays for their historic showdown at Madison Square Garden in 2022. The sold-out event, which saw Taylor defend her undisputed lightweight titles by split decision, shattered glass ceilings and marked the first time two female headliners pocketed such substantial purses. But while Taylor and Serrano rightfully reaped the rewards of their talent and years of hard work, their success remains an exception in a sport where most women still fight for recognition and a living wage.
The Ongoing Battle for Fair Pay
For every Taylor and Serrano at the top of the women’s boxing pay scale, there are scores of world-class female fighters struggling to make ends meet. According to Lou DiBella, a longtime promoter of women’s boxing, 99.99% of female boxers are fighting at or below the poverty level. Even reigning world champions often earn as little as $20,000 to $25,000 per fight, making it nearly impossible to support themselves solely through boxing.
“You can be a female world champion, do the math, if the marketplace is paying $20,000, $25,000 a fight and a champion fights twice in a year, how do you support yourself?”
– Lou DiBella, boxing promoter
Lack of Opportunity and Exposure
The pay gap in boxing is exacerbated by a scarcity of opportunities for women to showcase their skills and build their profiles. There are no regular boxing series or development platforms dedicated to female talent, making it difficult for women to gain the experience and exposure needed to command higher purses. Claressa Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and multi-division champion as a pro, had to wait four years after her debut to earn a $300,000 payday despite breaking records for accomplishments.
Reliance on Secondary Income Sources
The harsh economic realities of women’s boxing have forced many fighters to seek supplemental income through other means. World champions like Australia’s Ebanie Bridges and Cherneka Johnson have turned to subscription platforms like OnlyFans to make ends meet between bouts. As Johnson, who made just over $13,000 for winning a world title in May, put it: “You can’t survive off one fight a year getting paid what we are. It’s less than minimum wage.”
“Do you think if I made that much money I’d have an OnlyFans? I wouldn’t need to have another job like just about every other female fighter out there.”
– Ebanie Bridges, World Champion Boxer
Glimmers of Hope on the Horizon
While the path to pay equity in women’s boxing remains long and arduous, there are signs of progress. Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions has made it a priority to sign female fighters and ensure they are compensated fairly. The outfit plans to add 40-plus boxers, mostly women, to its stable in the coming year. Additionally, a growing chorus of voices, including Serrano, Shields, and unified super-lightweight queen Chantelle Cameron, are calling for championship fights to be contested over 12 three-minute rounds like the men, which would strengthen the case for equal pay.
The onus now falls on promoters, networks, and governing bodies to step up and create an infrastructure where female fighters can thrive. More showcases, greater investment in marketing, and a revamped format would go a long way toward ensuring the next generation of women’s boxing stars are valued for their immense skill and dedication. The sport has come a long way, but there are still many rounds to go before the playing field is truly level.
