SOCIAL media has become an invaluable tool for athletes to connect with fans around the world, sell their merchandise and promote upcoming events.
In the world of boxing, fighters also use Twitter and Instagram to exchange trash talk and flaunt their lavish lifestyles.
Here is a list of boxers with the biggest followings across social media platforms.
Vasiliy Lomachenko: 1.8M Instagram, 182.2K Twitter
Vasiliy Lomachenko is known as “The Matrix” due to his unorthodox footwork in the ring.
According to Bob Arum, Loma’s father did not let his son train for boxing until he attended traditional dance classes in their native Ukraine.
Loma also studied gymnastics before finally entering the ring, adding to his quickfire reflexes and silky footwork.
The three-weight division world champion is very active on Instagram, uploading workout videos, promoting his fights and peddling his Venum Loma shoe line.
The lightweight boxer is far less active on Twitter, but does occasionally uploading interviews and photos of himself.
“The Matrix” has amassed a total of 1.98M social media followers.
Deontay Wilder: 2.8M Instagram, 692.4K Twitter
The former undefeated WBC heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder became a sensation in the boxing world due to his knockout power and brash personality.
Wilder held the WBC world title for five years, until he was knocked out by Tyson Fury in February this year.
Now 34, Wilder started his career winning bronze in the heavyweight division at the 2008 Olympics.
After turning professional, he dubbed himself “The Bronze Bomber” after heavyweight legend Joe Louis.
Prior to his defeat to Fury, Wilder often posted highlights of his knockouts against previous opponents on Instagram.
After the loss, he has taken to posting more inspirational photos depicting African culture.
On Twitter, Wilder is an outspoken supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement.
“The Bronze Bomber” has accumulated 3.4million social media followers.
Tyson Fury: 3.8M Instagram, 1.6M Twitter
Heavyweight Tyson Fury reached the pinnacle of the division earlier this year with his big win over Wilder.
The Gypsy King is the first heavyweight in history to hold the WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO and The Ring magazine titles.
In April this year Fury was ranked the world’s best active heavyweight boxer by ESPN, and the second best active boxer and pound-for-pound by BoxRec.
Like most combat athletes, Fury shares his workout videos on his Instagram, but also updates his fans on his latest clothing merchandise.
On Twitter, the Gypsy King has pinned his latest book The Furious Method at the top of his profile in which he speaks about his recovery from depression.
Fury has amassed a total of 5.4million social media followers.
Gennadiy Golovkin: 3.9M Instagram, 596.3K Twitter
The two-time middleweight world champion Gennadiy Gennadyevich Golovkin, known as “Triple G,” was from 2017 to 2018 considered the world’s best boxer pound-for-pound boxer by The Ring magazine.
“Triple G” had held the unified WBA, WBC, IBF and IBO titles between 2014 and 2018.
A sports fanatic outside the ring, Golovkin shares photos of himself at various events, including NHL and soccer matches.
“Triple G” also keeps his fans updated on his vacations, sharing pictures from LA, New York, Paris, Rome and even Disney World.
On Twitter, however, the “People’s Champ” keeps it strictly professional, uploading workout videos and highlights from previous fights.
The Kazakhstani boxer has 4.5million followers on social media.
Ryan Garcia: 7.4M Instagram, 444.6K Twitter
The 22-year-old, who calls himself KingRy, boasts a strong social media presence, and is often featured on ESPN and SportsCenter’s news feed for his posts.
The undefeated WBC Silver lightweight champion’s fierce power has propelled him to 20 wins, 17 by knockout.
On Instagram the flashy Garcia floods his feed with workout videos showing off his lightning-quick hand speed.
He is also responsible for the body shot challenge – where he punches people in the stomach until they curl over in pain.
On Twitter, Garcia sends support to other athletes across different sports, while at the same time keeping his followers up to date on his next fights and latest interviews.
KingRy has 7.8million social media followers.
Manny Pacquiao: 5.9M Instagram, 2.6M Twitter
The first and only eight division world champion, Manny Pacquiao is a superstar in the boxing world and a legend in his native Philippines.
“Pacman” last fought in July 2019 and currently serves as a politician in his homeland.
Pacquiao was a cutthroat competitor in the ring, but has revealed a different side on social media, uploading posts of his personal life, including pictures of his wife and children.
Pacquiao has 8.5million followers on social media.
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez: 6.9M Instagram, 1.5M Twitter
Pound-for-pound the best boxer in the sport today, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez displays his workhorse mentality on Instagram.
The reigning four-division world champion has held the WBA super middleweight, The Ring and lineal middleweight title and WBA middleweight titles since 2018.
A master at counterstrikes, the Mexican superstar has lost just once in his 15-year career.
Canelo is constantly uploading workout video but also reveals his love for golf, updating his followers on his improved swing.
He also reminds his fans to sign up to his new I CAN fitness app.
On Twitter, the middleweight king promotes his CaneloRx company, which is a way of providing Americans with affordable prescription healthcare at the lowest rate possible.
The Mexican star has 8.4million followers on social media.
Anthony Joshua: 11.5M Instagram, 3.1M Twitter
Anthony Joshua is a two-time unified heavyweight champion who currently holds the WBA super, IBF, WBO and IB titles.
However, the British boxer suffered a shock defeat to Andy Ruiz in New York City in June 2019.
AJ, who was undefeated at the time, lost by knockout in the seventh round. He then won the title back in a rematch.
The heavyweight slugger uploads videos of his intense training sessions to social media, and shares photos of his latest collaboration with Hugo Boss.
AJ has amassed 14.6million followers on social media.
Mike Tyson: 13.1M Instagram, 5.5M Twitter
The “Baddest Man on the Planet,” Mike Tyson is one of the most followed boxing superstars online.
Since announcing his return to the ring earlier this year, “Iron” Mike has been training to get back into shape and has documented his workouts on Instagram.
The youngest heavyweight champ in boxing history, Tyson also promotes his graphic t-shirt collection across his accounts.
On Twitter, Tyson can be found pushing followers to his Hotboxinpodcast and demanding they write reviews.
Tyson is scheduled to return to the ring on November 28 for an exhibition against Roy Jones Jr.
“Iron” Mike has 18.6million followers on social media.
Floyd Mayweather: 22.3M Instagram, 7.8M Twitter
The crown for the most social media clout goes to Floyd “Money” Mayweather.
The retired 43-year-old stepped away from the sport unbeaten with a perfect 50-0 record.
Mayweather lives up to his nickname “money” on his Instagram account, constantly flaunting his wealth.
Whether it’s trips on his private plane, his latest million dollar watch, his designer clothes or his new jewelry, Mayweather is a very busy man reminding everyone of his large bank account.
On Twitter, Mayweather mostly retweets his Mayweather Promotions account or his The Money Team brand.
“Money” takes home the crown with more than 30million social media followers.
