Although it is not often spoken about very much, women’s boxing is just as big as the male counterpart sport. Starting in 1876, with the first female boxing match being held in the US, boxing has moved in leaps and bounds from what it once was. Though the prize for that first-ever match was a “silver butter dish,” today’s winnings are more in line with what the male boxers are awarded (which is a relief, because how inappropriate would a kitchen-related prize be for women now? We’re betting that one was organized by men, that’s for sure!).

Boxing among females hasn’t had quite the history that male boxing has had, seeing as male boxing dates back to the Greek Olympics in the BC times. It took until 1904 for female-led boxing to be sported, and even then, it was held as a “demonstration” sport. Today, females in the boxing world are far more popular, with the Ultimate Fighting Championships following swiftly behind. Women in the UFC didn’t appear until 2013, when the organization brought women to the series. A year later, a second women’s division was created, where strawweights were then able to fight. With all that history in mind, this article is going to take a look at the three biggest boxing stars, who have made their buck in the ring, and inspired female leads everywhere…

1. Katie Taylor

Katie Taylor is a professional boxer from Ireland, who just so happens to be an ex-footballer too. She’s the undisputed world lightweight champion since 2019, and the undisputed super lightweight champion of 2023 – meaning she certainly deserves our top spot on the list. The 37-year-old has seen some of her biggest fights this year alone, which have all come with a hefty paycheck. Since she appeared on the scene in 2001 appeared on the scene in 2001 as a young, fresh, fifteen-year-old, Taylor has been raking in the cash. Ranging from $800,000 to $1.2 million are the modest sums she saw while she was climbing to the top of her career, but now she’s there, it’s only gotten bigger and better.

The fight against Cameron in November 2023 would have been her biggest win yet, and the UFC Odds were always going to be in her favor. The first fight against ex-reigning champion, Cameron, saw Taylor take around $1.3 and $3.5 million, but the rematch in November just gone had her pocketing the best win yet.

It was expected to have been over $2.5 million just for the fight, and no royalties included, so Taylor is certainly coming out on top. With a rematch planned for next year, her purse is only going to get bigger.

2. Claressa Shields

Claressa Shields is a 28-year-old American professional boxer, along with being a Mixed Martial Artist (MMA). She’s managed to grasp titles in three different weight divisions, including being the winner and undisputed light middleweight champion. She is one of the biggest boxers of our generation because she is one of the elites of anything she does. She currently sits as an ambassador and influencer for women, and wants to be the spearhead for equal rights in the boxing field – and seeing as she is at the peak of her career, with millions of followers, she’s certainly well positioned to do so.

Not just a fighter in the ring for the small events, Shields is also a two-time Olympic gold medalist and world champion. She’s the first female to ever earn a seven-figure payday in one fight. Her current statistics are 13-0 with two total knockouts, and with just seven years under her belt, this US boxer is on the home straight for a lifetime of success.

3. Chantelle Cameron

Chantelle Cameron may be sitting third on our list, but she’s by no means third in reality. She is a 32-year-old British professional boxer, who has held the world championship titles in two different weight categories – lightweight and light-welterweight from 2020 to 2023. She sadly lost the title this year, where the big fight against Katie Taylor took her throne.

Just this year, she took on our number one on the list, Katie Taylor, in a second match to determine the world champion between themselves. Unfortunately, Cameron lost, but her paycheck was still nothing short of huge. The first fight in May had their fight purse set at around $800,000 to $1.2 million, but the rematch in November was far greater than this. The rematch in Ireland brought in punters from across the world, and the two fighters were expected to have taken around $2-$3 million for their part in the ring. Katie Taylor who took the title, took a larger cut, but with a trilogy fight set for next year, all eyes will be on who can take the overall win – and who will get the bigger paycheck. Stay tuned for this one; it’s going to be big.

[WBAN's top three picks would be Katie Taylor, Amanda "The Real Deal" Serrano, and Chantelle Cameron].