British-Nigerian heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has landed a colossal financial windfall following his dominant victory over YouTube star turned boxer, Jake Paul. The highly-publicised exhibition bout, which took place in Miami, concluded with Joshua knocking out his opponent in the sixth round.
A Lucrative Return to the Ring
Fighting for the first time in 15 months after a loss to Daniel Dubois, Anthony Joshua faced criticism from some fans for choosing Jake Paul as his comeback opponent. However, the financial incentive proved to be monumental. The fight, streamed globally on Netflix, resulted in the biggest payout of Joshua's exhibition career, surpassing even his earnings from the Francis Ngannou fight.
According to reports from Sporting Life, the total prize pool for the event was a staggering $184 million. The two fighters agreed to an equal split, meaning Anthony Joshua pocketed a guaranteed $92 million, with additional bonuses potentially increasing the final figure. This massive sum underscores the commercial draw of crossover boxing events.
Dominant Performance in Miami
The bout, scheduled for eight rounds at the Kaseya Centre in Miami, did not go the distance. True to his pre-fight statement that he would consider it a failure if Paul lasted beyond the first round, Joshua controlled the match. He finally ended the contest in the sixth round with a powerful punch to the jaw that sent Jake Paul, known as 'The Problem Kid', to the canvas.
Following his decisive victory, Joshua did not waste time celebrating. He immediately shifted focus to the one fight fans have demanded for years, calling out his long-term British rival, Tyson Fury, for a long-awaited heavyweight showdown.
What This Means for Joshua's Future
This victory serves a dual purpose for Anthony Joshua. Firstly, it re-establishes his momentum with a convincing win. Secondly, the enormous $92 million prize money from the Jake Paul fight provides him with significant leverage and security as he negotiates future bouts. His public call-out of Fury sets the stage for what could be one of the most lucrative fights in boxing history, a clash that Nigerian and global fans are eagerly anticipating.
While exhibitions against social media stars remain controversial in the boxing purist community, the financial rewards are undeniable. For Anthony Joshua, this venture was a resounding success, both in the ring and for his bank account, paving the way for a potential blockbuster fight against Tyson Fury.
