All the biggest stars in boxing get the biggest paydays when they start to attract those outside of the hardcore boxing fan bracket, because there just aren't as many hardcore boxing fans as people think anymore and it's been that way for ages. Even in Mike Tyson's era, loads were just interested in boxing for his fights and nothing else, he became that big of a star. I don't think there is much wrong with that personally(didn't they used to term it "mainstream"?). There's probably parallels to be drawn to other sports and industries there.
The fact that non-boxers, who haven't dedicated themselves to the sport for very long(and even then it still feels like a side hustle for Tommy and Jake) are getting much bigger pay days than some of those who have, is probably a sign where boxing is heading, to try and attract the newer generations.
I don't think it's going to be a good thing personally, actual boxers who spend more time on social media, calling fighters out with no intention of fighting them. Only to choose(mandataries are a different matter) to fight someone nobody was calling for, is already something that annoys me.
Boxers are already becoming more like social media stars first, boxers second but it's having a negative impact. The PBC's fighters are notorious for it, they have an army of twitter and youtube agenda pushers(some have even been paid for it apparently), blaming everyone else, left right and centre. You'd be forgiven for thinking they must be doing something right by the volume of noise they make. However, take a look at the poor PPV buy numbers, the many rumblings that their fighters are annoyed that they aren't getting paid, FOX slashing the boxing budget and then not renewing the PBC TV contract in 2021(PPV only now), rumours that in-house fights that people would actually be interested in can't get made because the money isn't there to satisfy both camps etc. These clearly aren't the people who love boxing enough to pay for it, that or they know themselves the PPV cards they put on aren't worth it. Despite their passionate defences on social media, in the hopes of convincing others it's worth it.
