Mayweather Boxes Clever As World’s Highest Paid Sportsman

The latest rich list of the world’s 100 wealthiest athletes fails to feature a woman for the first time.

The all-male ranking is headed by boxer Floyd Mayweather who made more than twice the second ranked star, footballer Lionel Messi.

Mayweather banked an impressive $361 million after beating martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in August 2017.

He also earned $13 million from endorsements, taking his annual take from his sport to $375 million.

Mayweather retained his title as the world’s top paid athlete from last year.

Serena Williams drops out of list

His opponent McGregor also features, earning $130 million to take fourth place in the rankings.

Barcelona and Argentina striker Messi made $146 million.

Tennis champion Serena Williams was ranked at 51 last year, but slipped out of the top 100 after taking a career break to give birth to a daughter. In 2017, she was credited with earnings of $36 million.

The top earning motorsport athlete was Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton, giving up his familiar pole position to come in 12^thwith earnings of $67 million.

$22m is qualifying income

Golfer Tiger Woods is an anomaly – despite failing to win a tournament for five years and hardly picking up a club for three years, he is still the sports biggest earner. He grossed $55 million, mainly from endorsements, but still made 16^thplace.

Sprinter Usain Bolt came home at 45^thwith $31 million as the highest paid track and field athlete.

Just squeezing on to the last place on the list with earnings of $22.9 million is basketball star Nicolas Batum.

Figures from US basketball dominated the list, taking 54 places, with American Football second with 18 places.

The list of the 100 highest earning sports superstars was compiled by financial magazine Forbes.

Top 10 Highest Paid Athletes

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Source: Forbes