Michael Buffer’s net worth is greater than Joshua and Dubois combined | Boxing | Sports

Michael Buffer has amassed a considerable fortune over the course of his career, becoming an iconic figure in the boxing world. Beginning in 1982, Buffer began his journey as the master of ceremonies (MC) at Bob Arum’s ESPN Top Rank events, at a time when local talent was typically used to introduce the fighters.

By the late 1980s, he had secured an exclusive job at all of Donald Trump’s casinos, including those in the gambling mecca of Atlantic City. Today, in 2024, Buffer is a legend, known for his dapper suits and trademarked slogan “Let’s get ready to rumble,” which he even trademarked in 1992.

He has been the voice of HBO and Showtime boxing events and currently announces DAZN boxing shows, including Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing promotions. Despite the large incomes of many boxers, Buffer often outstrips them financially, and this weekend, when Anthony Joshua takes on Daniel Dubois for the IBF title at Wembley Stadium, Buffer will be the richest person in the ring, with a net worth exceeding that of AJ and DDD combined.

Michael Buffer’s Net Worth

Michael Buffer’s iconic slogan, “Let’s get ready to rumble,” has become synonymous with boxing around the world, but it wasn’t always his go-to slogan. Early on, the 79-year-old tried phrases like “fasten your seatbelts” and “stand at your fighting stations,” which failed to generate enthusiasm from the crowd.

It was only after taking inspiration from Muhammad Ali’s legendary phrase “I’m so pretty, I’m ready to rumble” that Buffer found the treasure. Buffer’s wise choice has certainly reaped financial rewards over the years, with it reportedly raking in hundreds of millions of dollars from its five-word slogan.

Every time the phrase is used, whether in a film, TV series, video game or merchandise, the advertiser is paid. Video game developer Midway reportedly paid a staggering $100 million (£75.6 million) to license the phrase in its boxing game Ready 2 Rumble.

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Michael Buffer earns fees ranging from $25,000/£18,900 to $100,000/£75,600 per event, with some promotions offering up to $1 million (£756,250) for a single show. His lucrative combat sports career has earned him an estimated net worth of around $400 million (£302.4 million).

In comparison, his brother Bruce Buffer, who is the UFC ring announcer, is said to have a net worth of around $12 million (£9 million). Reports suggest that Bruce earns around $100,000 per UFC event, which is around £75,000.

Anthony Joshua Net Worth

At 34, Joshua has carved out an impressive reputation in the boxing world since making his professional debut in 2013. He previously represented Team Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics, winning a gold medal in the super-heavyweight category for his country.

With a record of 28-3, AJ is said to have amassed a staggering fortune of $83 million (£63.5 million) from his exceptional performances in the ring, as well as lucrative sponsorship and endorsement deals with brands including William Hill, Jaguar Land Rover and Hugo Boss.

His 2022 rematch with Usyk reportedly earned him $75 million (£57.4 million), while his 2019 win over Andy Ruiz Jr reportedly earned him $72 million (£55.1 million). What’s more, he reportedly pocketed a staggering $50 million (£38.2 million) for beating former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in the second round of their fight last March – not bad for six minutes of work.

Daniel Dubois Net Worth

While Dubois is fresh off one of the biggest fights of his career, he has yet to achieve the same financial success as Joshua. While the 27-year-old has defeated many big names in the ring — from Jarrell Miller and Kevin Lerena to Filip Hrgovic — he hasn’t achieved the same level of fame as AJ in his seven-year career.

Despite this, Dubois is reported to have a net worth of around $5 million (£3.8 million), thanks to his impressive 21-2 record, including 20 knockouts.

Two of his biggest earnings reportedly came from defeats. He was beaten by Joe Joyce in the 10th round of their 2020 fight but still pocketed around $2.2m (£1.68m) after PPV sales. His ninth-round loss to Usyk last summer reportedly earned him a modest $2m (£1.53m).

This weekend’s event is set to see Dubois take home a guaranteed £3.5 million purse, which could increase to £10 million depending on PPV sales. Joshua is set to earn a guaranteed £6 million, potentially rising to £25 million. However, with a combined net worth of around £67.3 million, Joshua and Dubois still have a long way to go if they hope to achieve the same financial success as Buffer.