Tyson Fury’s massive TV payday will launch him among British sport’s money men.
Former world champion Fury, 30, signed a deal with ESPN worth an astonishing $145 million (£80m) which will quadruple his worth, The Sun reports.
The Gypsy King will be catapulted into third in a list of Britain’s wealthiest athletes, ahead of Anthony Joshua and Conor McGregor.
It is one of the richest deals ever signed in boxing and comes after Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez in October signed a record five-year, $US365 million deal with DAZN.
Fury made his return to boxing’s elite when he rose off the canvass to earn a draw in December’s classic with WBC champion Deontay Wilder.
And such a Hollywood performance caught the attention of US network ESPN who have made Fury an even wealthier man.
The £80 million deal will mean only Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton and former World No. 1 golfer Rory McIlroy are ahead of him.
Five-time world champion Mercedes driver Hamilton, who has sponsorship deals Tommy Hilfiger, L’Oreal, Monster, Puma and Bose, has a net worth in excess of £159m.
Northern Irishman McIlroy holds second place on the list with his £110m fortune which is down to sponsorship deals with brands Nike and TaylorMade.
Fellow fighter Conor McGregor has amassed a net worth of £75m while Andy Murray’s deep pockets reach £83m.
Fury’s new deal will see him pip former England and Man United captain Wayne Rooney to third on the list after his MLS move.
And while heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua, currently believed to be worth £35m, has been tipped to make millions, Fury has catapulted himself ahead.
The heavyweight said: “I’m delighted that Frank [Warren] and Queensberry Promotions have teamed up with Top Rank to promote my fights in America.
“I cannot remember being in better shape, I trained right through Christmas and New Year, I am in a training habit that keeps me well, and I get paid to do it, it’s a nice job.
“People will have to come to the Tyson Fury show now because I have my own platform. I am not the opponent anymore. They have to come to me.”
BOXING WORLD ROCKED BY FURY CONTRACT COMPLICATION
Boxing fans have been left fuming after the rematch between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury looks to be off.
The Brit heavyweight was in talks to face the Bronze Bomber following their contentious split decision draw in December last year.
However, Fury signed an £80million deal with Top Rank that will see him compete on ESPN in the US — rivals to Showtime, who broadcast Wilder’s fights.
The news comes a week after fans were left disappointed with Anthony Joshua’s announcement that he will fight Jarrell Miller on June 1 at Madison Square Garden.
Fans have now lost out on potential fights involving Joshua, Wilder and Fury — all due to contractual and broadcasting problems.
As the rematch has gone cold, Fury branded his former foe Wilder a “useless big dosser”.
Fury said: “Wilder is still a useless big dosser, they messed my record with a big blue tick but I cannot complain because I am out of trouble.
“I am happy with whatever happens, whatever cards I am dealt. I am happy with everything.
“We are in a very dangerous sport, more than winning and losing, going home healthy is all that matters.”
Wilder was just as casual about the fight potentially being scrapped, saying he is prepared to move on if Fury no longer wants the re-match.
“I’m a free agent,” Wilder told The Boxing Voice.
“I don’t necessarily have to fight on the networks that I’m on. I can fight anywhere.
“At the end of the day, if he wants to fight, then he’s gonna fight. If not, then we’ll move on.”
— This story originally appeared on thesun.co.uk