Anthony Joshua Set for Staggering £70 Million Payday in Proposed Heavyweight Clash with Jake Paul
Former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is poised to earn a massive £70 million from a highly anticipated, professional heavyweight boxing match against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, with sources reporting that the total prize pot is expected to reach an astonishing £140 million. The contest is reportedly close to being finalized and is being positioned as a 50-50 financial split between the two fighters, marking one of the most lucrative single-fight purses in British boxing history for Joshua. The bout is being rushed into development after Paul’s scheduled fight with Gervonta Davis was cancelled, and Joshua’s camp saw an opportunity for a career-high payday ahead of his long-term goal of a 2026 clash with Tyson Fury.
The monumental financial figures, which would surpass Joshua’s previous highest earnings, including the reported £30 million from his victory over Francis Ngannou, are largely driven by the massive global appeal of both fighters, particularly the digital reach of Paul. Reports suggest the match is expected to be broadcast live globally on Netflix, which previously aired Paul’s high-profile bout with Mike Tyson in 2024, an event that drew a staggering audience exceeding 60 million viewers and cemented the streaming platform’s venture into live combat sports. The contest is currently being finalized for a date in December 2025, with the most frequently cited target being December 19 in Miami, Florida.
Despite the widespread media reports of a “done deal,” Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has urged caution, stating that while talks are real and advanced, the agreement is not yet fully confirmed. Hearn acknowledged the colossal financial incentive, stating the opportunity would allow Joshua to make “50 times more money” than a standard warm-up fight, making the decision difficult for any athlete to reject, regardless of the criticism it might draw regarding Joshua’s boxing legacy. The contest is expected to be a professional heavyweight fight under Queensberry rules, meaning the result will count on both men’s official records, with the vast difference in size and experience—Joshua being a two-time world champion and a true heavyweight, and Paul being a relatively untested cruiserweight stepping up—adding a highly unusual dynamic to the massive financial spectacle.
