By Billie Sloane, IFL TV

Boxing is a sport built on dreams—the Cinderella stories of fighters rising from obscurity to global fame, from rags to riches. But let’s strip back the glitz and glamour for a moment. For most rising fighters, boxing doesn’t pay the bills. In fact, many boxers are juggling full-time or part-time jobs just to keep their heads above water. The harsh truth is that while some fighters bask in multi-million-pound paydays, others return to the grind of everyday work even after the fight of their lives.

Take Maxi Hughes, for example. His story is nothing short of inspirational. Against all odds, Hughes shocked the industry when he beat unsuspecting Jovanni Straffon to become IBO World Lightweight Champion on the Lara V Warrington undercard in Headingley Rugby League Stadium in Leeds in 2021, proving that grit and determination can overcome anything. But just days after his triumphant victory, he was back on the building site, laying bricks to make ends meet. “I’m not ashamed to say I still have to work,” Hughes said in an IFL TV interview. “Boxing doesn’t pay consistently, and I’ve got a family to provide for.” This is the reality for so many fighters—the sport they love can’t guarantee financial security.

Why Fighters Need Day Jobs

Let’s be real—unless you’re headlining pay-per-view events or signed to a major promoter, the money in boxing can be shockingly low. Small-hall fighters often walk away with a few hundred pounds per fight, and when you factor in training costs, equipment, travel, and coaching fees, there’s little left to live on. For every Canelo Alvarez earning millions, there are hundreds of fighters struggling to cover their basic expenses.

Sponsorship deals? They’re reserved for those with either a shiny record or a large social media following. Fighters with a humble following but a world of potential are left to rely on the sporadic income from fight purses. And let’s not forget, fights don’t happen every week—what are these fighters supposed to do in between?

Take Lewis van Poetsch, a journeyman with over 150 fights. He’s spoken openly about supplementing his income through coaching, admitting, “You’re fighting almost every week, but you’re not making enough to call it a proper living.”

So how do we reconcile this reality with the expectations placed on fighters? How do you train full-time, recover properly, and perform at your peak when you’ve spent your day on a construction site, in a classroom, or pulling pints at the local pub?

The Grit Behind the Glory

To some, this struggle might seem like a rite of passage—a test of how much a fighter truly wants it. After all, boxing is a sport that prides itself on toughness and perseverance. The tales of fighters who’ve worked their way up from nothing—balancing the ring with day jobs—add to the romanticism of the sport.

But is this hardship necessary? Or are we glorifying a system that forces fighters into financial instability? Natasha Jonas worked as a teacher while pursuing her dreams whilst Joe Joyce did a BA in Fine Art at university. These stories are inspiring, but should fighters have to endure such struggles in an industry worth billions?

Highlighting the Struggles

The financial struggles of grassroots fighters expose the stark realities of the sport. They remind fans of the sacrifices fighters make just to step into the ring. These stories resonate, humanizing the athletes and putting pressure on the industry to offer more support. Maxi Hughes returning to a building site days after his title win struck a chord with fans and journalists alike—it was a reminder of how hard life is for those outside boxing’s elite circle.

And yet, these challenges create fighters with incredible resilience. There’s a certain romanticism in seeing a fighter rise from the trenches to achieve greatness. It makes the victories sweeter and the losses more poignant.

The Struggle Could Drive Talent Away

On the flip side, this reality risks deterring potential talent. If young prospects see that even champions like Hughes need day jobs to stay afloat, how many will choose to pursue boxing seriously? The financial strain doesn’t just test a fighter’s determination—it can break their spirit.

How many future champions are stuck in offices, warehouses, or behind the wheel of a delivery van because they couldn’t afford to give boxing their all? If the financial instability persists, could boxing lose the next great superstar to another sport with more structured support systems?

Should the Industry Do More?

This raises the question: is the boxing industry doing enough for its grassroots fighters? Promoters, governing bodies, and sponsors rake in millions, but how much of that actually trickles down to the fighters putting their health and futures on the line?

Should there be initiatives to support rising talent, such as standardized minimum purses, healthcare benefits, or even grants for fighters in the early stages of their careers? As Eddie Hearn has pointed out, “We can’t just focus on the top stars. If we want the sport to grow, we need to invest in the grassroots.”

At the same time, is it solely the responsibility of the industry? Should fighters themselves be doing more to secure sponsorships, market their personal brands, and diversify their income streams? In a world where social media presence can open doors, fighters need to adapt to the business side of the sport as much as they do to its physical demands.

Can Fighters Ever Find Financial Security?

The truth is, financial insecurity is ingrained in boxing’s DNA. Sporadic fight schedules, unpredictable purses, and limited sponsorship opportunities make it nearly impossible for most fighters to achieve stability.

But does it have to be this way? Can boxing adapt to offer more security to its athletes? Or will the sport continue to expect fighters to endure financial struggles as part of their journey? And as fans, do we have a responsibility to support fighters beyond simply buying tickets and tuning into big fights?

Boxing has always been about more than just the action in the ring—it’s about the people who step through the ropes. If we want to keep seeing new talent emerge, we need to address the realities of the sport and ensure fighters like Maxi Hughes don’t have to lay bricks just to keep their dreams alive.

The debate is open. What’s the solution? Should the sport adopt a more structured pay system for grassroots fighters? Or is this simply the reality of chasing greatness in the toughest sport on earth? One thing’s for sure: the industry can’t afford to ignore this issue any longer.

Billie Sloane takes a ‘no holes barred’ approach as he has his say on some of the major talking points in the crazy world that is boxing.