To become a famous boxer would require several traits, which would include the following:
1. You have to work VERY hard to increase your skills enough to have you pull ahead of the majority of boxers in your generation. Master the techniques and spar a LOT, so that you develop your own distinctive style. Mastering proper technique so that it becomes second nature, and practice it so much that it makes you better than most other boxers. For example, if the average "good" boxer works out 3 times a week, you need to work out 6 times a week. At least.
2. Master showmanship and stage craft so that you aren't JUST a boxing machine, but are also an entertainer. Make sure you balance the boxer & entertainer sides appropriately so that you don't leave yourself vulnerable and give the opponent win. Develop a low risk but flashy gimmick as part of your brand. You'll want to use this to hide how technically good you really are, to make over-confident rivals want to "shut you up."
3. HUSTLE!!! You have to get out and get around the people and basically "sell, Sell, SELL!!" to get people to want to get to know you, want to purchase tickets, and that's all about the art of salesmanship. The sportsman equivalent of selling CDs out of your trunk. This will function a great deal like an ongoing political campaign, and feel like you're running for office. You need the people to see you, so get out there and get in their faces. Again, you'll have to balance this with the amount of practice time you need to put in, so work smart. Develop excellent time management skills and stick to your schedule.
You can make a living with it, alright! Unlike your average college-based jobs, Boxing is part of the entertainment industry. So becoming richer and poorer than the average college graduate depends on how popular you are on the sport. So to give you an honest answer, it depends.
A good tactic would be training with the most popular boxing gym in your area. Training under random people won’t get you that far in your career, you need a gym that can manage to take its fighters to well-known establishments such as the WBA. That’ll increase your chances of becoming rich. But if you really wanna become “Mayweather” rich, you have to think outside the box. Make yourself heard on social media, create controversy, learn some basic marketing skills to help you climb up the ladder of fame. Being “good” at the sport won’t be enough! As a long-time fan of the sport, I’ve seen a lot of pro boxers (underrated ones) who are almost unknown unless you do some intricate research. Also, if you’re from a country that hungers for recognition (like the “Pacquiao-Filipino phenomenon”), your chances of becoming successful is much more greater. There are other ways to make money in boxing other than becoming a pro, like becoming a boxing coach or starting your own gym. This is the best move for you just in case you’re too old and in a permanently bad condition to fight professionally in the ring.
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