Cristiano Ronaldo tops Forbes' World's Highest-Paid Athletes list for the fourth straight year, earning $300 million in 2025. Canelo Alvarez ranks second with $170 million, despite a 1-1 record in the ring this year. Alvarez's earnings came primarily from fight purses, with additional income from sponsorships and outside activities.

Alvarez, 35, lost to Terence Crawford in September for the undisputed super middleweight title but rebounded with a unanimous decision win over William Scull in May. Elbow surgery sidelined him after the Crawford fight, but he returns September 12 against Christian Mbilli for the WBC super middleweight title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Jake Paul landed at No. 23 with $70 million in earnings, going 1-1 in 2025 before breaking his jaw against Anthony Joshua in December. Lionel Messi ($140 million), LeBron James ($137.8 million), and Shohei Ohtani ($127.6 million) complete the top five, demonstrating how global icons command massive paydays regardless of recent performance.

The list reveals boxing's financial dominance, with three fighters in the top 25 earning over $70 million combined. These figures reflect endorsement deals and fight purses that dwarf most professional sports salaries, highlighting combat sports' lucrative market position.