Well now, if you ever wondered who gets paid the most when it comes to the folks who run the show in boxing rings, the answer ain’t too hard to find. It’s them referees, the ones who keep the fight fair and square, making sure no one’s cheatin’ or hurtin’ each other too bad. But you might be wonderin’, how much do these referees make, and who’s the highest-paid one outta all of ‘em? Let me tell ya, it ain’t just pocket change. Some of ’em earn a pretty penny, that’s for sure!
Boxing’s one of them sports where the money is all around. You got your boxers makin’ big bucks, and you got your referees who are also gettin’ a nice piece of that pie, especially when they’re workin’ big, flashy fights with big names like Mayweather or Tyson Fury. Now, a regular ol’ match where the purse ain’t so big might not pay too much, but when it’s a big show, them referees can walk away with a hefty check.
Now, let’s talk numbers, shall we? Referees who work major pay-per-view events, or them title fights, can earn anywhere between $10,000 to $25,000 per match. Ain’t that somethin’! But don’t go thinkin’ that’s all they make. No sir, some of them referees, especially for them top-tier fights like Mayweather or Fury, can pull in as much as $30,000 or more for just one fight. That’s a whole lotta money for just standin’ there, blowin’ that whistle and makin’ sure folks ain’t breakin’ the rules.
So now, who’s the top dog in all this? Well, that title’s been taken by none other than Joe Cortez. He’s been around for ages, and his career’s set some serious standards in the industry. With his long history and experience, he’s known to be one of the highest-paid referees in the world. They say Joe’s got the skills to keep things under control, even when the action gets real heated. And because of that, he’s been able to rake in some of them top-dollar fees that most folks can only dream of.
But what about all the other referees? They ain’t exactly paupers either. With the latest reports comin’ in for 2024, them boxing referees in the United States can earn anywhere from $40,000 to $330,000 a year! Can you imagine? Of course, that depends on how many big fights they’re officiating and what kinda name they’ve made for themselves in the business. But even the folks just startin’ out still make a decent livin’.
Some of them referees in the boxing world are making an average of around $80,000 a year, just from doin’ their job. And that’s not includin’ any extra bonuses or payments they might get for special occasions or big events. Now, it’s not just the referees who get paid handsomely. Them folks workin’ at the weigh-ins, like the doctors and whatnot, they make extra money too, usually around $500, plus mileage if they got to travel. Every little bit helps, don’t it?
In fact, some boxing organizations, like the World Boxing Union, base their referee pay on the total purse of the fight. If the purse is a small one, say less than $42,000, a referee might just get around $500 or so. But if that purse is a big one, like over $850,000, you can bet that referee is gettin’ a lot more—sometimes up to $2,000 for just officiating one match. That’s a mighty fine payday if you ask me!
So, there you have it. The referees in boxing might not be the ones throwin’ punches, but they sure are gettin’ paid like they are. If you’re lucky enough to be one of them top-tier referees, you could be makin’ more money than most folks can dream of. But you gotta have the experience, the know-how, and the right reputation to land them big gigs. It ain’t a job for the faint of heart, that’s for sure, but if you’re good enough, it can pay off in a big way.
Tags: [highest paid boxing referee, Joe Cortez, boxing referee salary, boxing salaries, professional boxing, boxing pay per view, boxing referees earnings]
