Anthony Joshua celebrated a sixth-round knockout over Jake Paul in Miami on Friday night, marking a high-profile return to the ring. The British heavyweight sent Paul to the canvas at the Kaseya Center, concluding a bout that lasted 989 seconds, but the victory comes with a hefty financial consequence for the two-time unified champion.
Joshua, 36, has earned an estimated £68.5 million from the fight, making roughly £69,000 per second inside the ring.
Despite the massive payday, tax obligations will take a substantial bite out of his winnings. As a UK resident, Joshua is required to pay taxes in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Reports indicate that the Internal Revenue Service will claim 37 percent of Joshua’s earnings, amounting to approximately £25.6 million.
Although Florida does not impose state income tax, the highest US federal rate still applies because the bout occurred on American soil.
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On the UK side, Joshua must settle the remaining balance between his total tax liability and what he has already paid in the US, bringing an additional £5.5 million owed to HM Revenue & Customs. Furthermore, National Insurance contributions add around £1.4 million, pushing Joshua’s overall tax bill to nearly £32 million.
Reflecting on his performance, Joshua acknowledged that the fight could have gone smoother. Speaking with talkSPORT, he said: “I deserve it. If I put myself in the shoes of a coach, if my fighter did six rounds with Jake Paul, I would get him back in the gym tomorrow and get straight back to work. But credit to him, he done well.”
Despite the criticism and sizeable tax deduction, Joshua emphasized that money was not his primary motivation.
The fight, which divided a total prize pot of roughly £137 million equally between the two fighters, represented more than just financial gain for the British heavyweight, highlighting his focus on legacy and performance rather than monetary reward.
Joshua now looks ahead to his next challenge, balancing the triumph in Miami with the practical reality of fulfilling his tax obligations.
Manchester Evening News
