“Floyd is the biggest star in the sport and the best in the sport, and when you’re the biggest star and you are the best, you get paid the most money,” Ellerbe told ESPN.com. “So this comes along with the territory.”
Mayweather’s purse shatters the previous record of $32 million, which he set for his May 2012 fight with Miguel Cotto and then tied for his fight this past May against Robert Guerrero. For 2013, Mayweather’s guaranteed purses will total $73.5 million.
The official contract for $41.5 million won’t be filed with the Nevada State Athletic Commission until next week, probably the day before the fight (Showtime PPV), according to commission executive director Keith Kizer.
“It’s a wonderful thing,” Ellerbe said. “Floyd has put boxing on his back and crossed over. He took a niche sport and went out there and marketed a persona (“Money” Mayweather) in the mainstream world and became the highest-paid athlete in sports.