Heavyweight champion to lose half of fight purse
Former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is set to part with a staggering £32 million in taxes following his knockout victory over Jake Paul.
The high-stakes bout, which took place at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, saw Joshua floor the social media star in the sixth round. Despite the dominant performance, the financial reality of the “Netflix spectacle” has come under scrutiny due to the complex tax obligations involved.
Reports indicate that the two fighters shared a massive prize pot of approximately £137 million, with each pocketing a base purse of £68.5 million. This equates to roughly £69,000 for every second spent in the ring, or about £4.1 million per minute. However, because the fight was held on American soil, Joshua is subject to significant deductions before he can access his final earnings.
Breakdown of United States federal tax obligations
As a non-resident athlete competing in the United States, Joshua is required to settle accounts with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). According to financial analysts, 37 percent of his total purse—amounting to roughly £25.6 million—will be withheld at the highest federal income tax bracket. While the state of Florida famously does not impose a state income tax, federal laws still apply to all income generated within the country.
This massive deduction alone accounts for more than a third of his total earnings from the fight. Joshua’s team has been working to navigate the dual-taxation treaties that exist between the US and the UK. Despite the high tax rate, the event is still considered one of the most lucrative single-night paydays in the history of heavyweight boxing.
Additional tax liabilities in the United Kingdom
The financial hit for the Watford-born star does not end with the US authorities, as he remains a resident of the United Kingdom. Upon his return, he must declare his global earnings and settle the difference between his total UK tax liability and what was already paid abroad. This “top-up” payment to His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is estimated to be around £5.5 million.
In addition to income tax, Joshua is also required to make substantial National Insurance contributions. These mandatory payments are expected to total approximately £1.4 million, further reducing his net take-home pay. All these obligations combined bring his total tax bill to the £32 million mark, leaving him with roughly £36 million from his original £68.5 million share.
Joshua remains focused on legacy over financial gain
Despite the significant loss of prize money, Anthony Joshua has maintained that his primary motivation for the fight was not monetary. In a post-match interview, he stated that this was not even the biggest payday of his career and that his focus remains on his boxing legacy. He emphasized that the opportunity to test himself and remain active was more important than the final figures on his bank statement.
The 36-year-old also used the opportunity to critique his own performance, noting that he should have finished the fight earlier. He credited Jake Paul for his toughness but insisted that an elite fighter of his caliber should not have allowed the bout to go six rounds. This self-reflection highlights Joshua’s desire to return to the top of the heavyweight division and challenge for world titles again.
As the boxing world looks ahead to 2026, Joshua’s financial and professional future remains a topic of intense discussion. With potential blockbuster matchups against Tyson Fury or Daniel Dubois on the horizon, the “taxman” will likely be waiting for another significant cut of the action. For now, the champion is taking a well-deserved break before beginning his next training camp.
