Anthony Joshua faces losing approximately $66m of his record $140m fight purse to tax authorities in the United States and United Kingdom, leaving him with less take-home pay than defeated opponent Jake Paul, The PUNCH reports.
Despite knocking out Paul in devastating fashion at the Kaseya Centre in Miami, the British-Nigerian heavyweight will surrender nearly half his earnings to the taxman on both sides of the Atlantic.
According to multiple reports, including figures cited by Yahoo Sports, Joshua and Paul each earned roughly $140m for the Netflix-streamed bout in Florida. While the state has no income tax, the federal government still claims its share at the highest rate.
Because the fight occurred on U.S. soil, Joshua is subject to a 37 per cent federal income tax, which alone accounts for roughly $52m of his purse. However, the financial hit does not stop there.
Once Joshua returns home to the United Kingdom, he will also be taxed on his global income. Reports indicate he will owe an additional $11.3m to His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, plus another $2.8m in National Insurance contributions.
All told, Joshua is expected to part with approximately $66m, leaving him with around $74m from the fight — still an enormous payday, but notably less than his vanquished opponent.
Paul, meanwhile, only has to deal with U.S. federal taxes. With no U.K. obligations and no Florida state tax, the YouTuber-turned-boxer will reportedly keep more of his purse than Joshua, despite losing the fight and suffering a broken jaw in two places.
A separate breakdown from data experts at AceOdds, cited by BroBible, paints a similar picture. Joshua could lose more than $66m to taxes across both countries, ultimately keeping just 53 per cent of his earnings after all obligations are paid.
The irony is clear as Joshua delivered the knockout and won the fight, yet Paul may end up with more money in the bank. It serves as a harsh reminder that in combat sports, the taxman remains undefeated.
Paul required surgery following the bout, having two titanium plates installed in his jaw and several teeth removed. According to Ring Magazine, he will be restricted to liquid foods for seven days due to “lots of pain and stiffness.”
